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The
Rampant Ballboy Interviews - jim leishman
 Yes,
it's that man every Cowden supporter loves to hate
who is this subject of this issue's Rampant Ballboy
interview – none other than Fifes' Poet Laureat,
the inimitable Jim Leishman. I met 'Slim Jim'
at an informal meeting of the Lumphinans Branch
of the Blue Brazil Supporters Club being held in
Jay Tees Public House. As usual there was
never a dull moment with Jim around. He was
particularly keen on making reference to our Fanzine
Editor but, unfortunately, the Obscene Publications
Act prevents the Fanzine from printing much of Jim's
comments regarding Stuart. It was all good
tongue-in-cheek stuff. I'd like to thank Jim
for squeezing me into his busy schedule that particular
evening in Jay Tees.
I
take it you were born and brought up in this area?
I was brought up in Gardiner Street, Lochgelly.
Our house backed on to Ian Porterfield's Gran and
Grandads.
Was
it always an ambition of yours to play for Dunfermline?
Most definitely it was. I signed as a schoolboy
with the Pars in 1968 from Townhill Boys Club.
Cowdenbeath actually wanted to sign me at that time
also. I played in a trial for Cowden at Central
Park when I was signed 'S' Form with Dunfermline.
I didn't tell anyone I was already signed because
I received two shillings for playing in the trial
match.
When
did you make your First Team debut or the Pars?
It was in a 1-1 draw with Ayr at Somerset Park in
season 1970/71, the season which saw the finish
of the Great Dunfermline team which did so well
in Europe. We were relegated next season and
it was during that time that I became a first team
regular for the club.
What
games for the Pars were most memorable?
My first game against Rangers when we drew 2-2 at
East End was memorable, as was our visit to Ibrox
in 1972 when I became the last Pars player to score
a winning goal at Ibrox in Dunfermline's 4-3 victory.
The day when all of Cowdenbeath rejoiced on hearing
that Jim Jeffries had broken my leg in 1974 will
never be forgotten. Next days newspaper headlines
read "Budding world class star from Lochgelly
breaks leg against Hearts". It has often
been said that Jim Jeffries jeopardised Scotlands
prospects of success as it was being commented in
various quarters that I was approaching international
class at the time of the injury.
The most memorable game against Cowden was the New
Years Day game in 1973. On Hogmanay I first-footed
my Auntie in Lumphinnans and only had a very small
glass of sherry because I was playing in the big
game later that day. I was in bed by 1230.
I decided to walk to Central Park, being so super
fit at that time. I bumped into Davie Cairns
and Ritchie Campbell on the way. They had
been out all night and told me that a few other
Cowden players had been living it up as well.
Great, I thought. Most of the team won't be
in any shape to play football. However, the
Cowden jinx on Dunfermline continued and we were
beaten 1-0.
When
did you leave Dunfermline?
It was in Season 1976/77 when Frank Connor signed
me for Cowden in a straight-swap deal for Bobby
Morrison. We were both valued at around £
1/2 million at that time as I seem to remember.
I made my debut in a 2-0 win against Meadowbank.
I became Assistant Manager to Andy Rolland for a
few months. During that time I remember staying
at a hotel prior to playing Stranraer. At
1145 there were two players still not back.
Andy and I jumped in a taxi and went looking for
them. We got them back to the hotel but Andy
and I were still listening out for any players moving
about. We heard someone prowling around so
I hid behind a door. I heard footsteps coming
towards me so I jumped out only to find Cowden Director
Davie Fowlis sprawled out on the floor. I
thought I'd killed him. I spent the next few
minutes crawling around the floor looking for his
false teeth which had fallen out due to the scare
I had given him.
After leaving Cowden I joined Oakley United where
I won two League Championships in two seasons.
I then joined Kelty Hearts for a season before being
made Youth Team Coach, then Reserve Team Coach at
East End Park. I became Manager of the Pars
in October 1983 at the age of 29, becoming their
youngest ever Manager.
What
do you think were your best attributes during your
time as Dunfermline Manager?
I gave the players pride in themselves and put them
back on the winning trail. I feel I brought a smile
back to the town of Dunfermline after a dismal spell
in the Club's history. In my first year as Manager
we finished 3rd in the Second division, winning
the league next season in 1986. We won promotion
on 1986/87 and, if we had won our last game against
Montrose, I would have won two consecutive league
championships.
The Premier League was a great learning experience.
We were relegated from the Premier in our first
season but got back up at the first time of asking.
I kept the Pars up for two seasons, having taken
them to the semi-final of the League Cup also.
How
did you feel about leaving East End Park and the
way the Club treated you?
I don't think the Club was very proud of the way
it treated such a loyal servant. I still think
it was wrong to this day, but that's history
now. The most hurtful thing to me is that
there are no photos of the 1986 2nd division and
1989 1st Division Championship Teams within East
End Park. There are so many good players in
those teams who have not had their achievements
honoured by the Club and that saddens me.
Where
did you go after Dunfermline?
I went to manage Inverness Thistle. I had
good times at Inverness before being head hunted
by Montrose. I had an excellent Chairman in
Bryan Keith but I was really disappointed that the
team didn't do well. After Montrose I did
a years sports management at Lauder College and
managed Rosyth Recreation before becoming the last
ever Manager of Meadowbank Thistle following their
move to become Livingston. I won the 3rd Division
Championship with Livingston, making me the only
Manager ever to have won the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Division
championships.
How
do you see the future for Clubs like Livingston
and Cowdenbeath?
Livvy are on the way up. The new Directors
are investing for the future. The Club is
trying to build up a tradition at Almondvale.
I an enjoying my new role as General Manager.
It presents a new learning curve for me. As
far as teams like Cowdenbeath are concerned the
big boys have made it too hard for them. Teams
in the lower divisions will have to become feeder
teams for the bigger clubs, which is sad, but a
fact of life these days.
Despite what Cowden fans may think, I like seeing
all the Fife teams doing well. Having said
that, I always loved beating Cowdenbeath in the
Derby games. I never won against Cowden as
a player but I never lost against them as Pars Manager.
I remember a Derby game where I was manager and
both my goalkeepers, namely Hugh Whyte and Ian Westwater,
were unavailable. I contacted Jock Finlayson
of Hill of Beath who said I could get Davie Westwood
provided I got the Haws a replacement goalie.
All morning I frantically tried to get a keeper
but with no joy. Jock, luckily, let me take
Westie and we headed off in the car to Central Park
just in time for the kick-off. Westie was
dodgy for the first ten minutes then he was brilliant.
The Pars won 1-0 that day.
After the full-time whistle I had a set-to with
John Clark in the tunnel, so it was quite an eventful
day. It didn't finish there however.
After the match I went to the Silver Birch and got
well pished. A Cowden supporter who had been
in the pub wrote to Dunfermline's Board of Directors
complaining of my conduct which, according to him,
did not befit a football club manager. Sour
grapes or what!
How
do you react to the flack that you always take from
the Blue Brazil faithful?
I have lots of friends who support Cowdenbeath.
Some of your fans take things too seriously at times.
When I hear people shouting "Who ate all the
pies" I always think of big Stuart Juner who
I take it is still modelling clothes for Demis Roussos.
Not many people know this but big Stuart was an
aspiring football player as a youngster. He was
actually known as "The Snail". Not because
he was slow but because he was a big fat, slimy
bastard.
A wee message for Stuart and all the rest of the
Cowden fans – "TOWNIES ALWAYS COME
OUT ON TOP"
We'll see about that Jim but thanks for an enjoyable
couple of hours in Jaytees. I'll pass on your kind
regards to Stuart.
We're always on the lookout for Blue Brazilians
from yesteryear. If you should know of anyone who
is worthy of a mention, drop an email to webmaster@blue-brazil.co.uk
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