Guest writer Beano Niblock, reminiscing about the 1978 World Cup which he watched in Cage 21 Long Kesh.
Another tournament, another Cage. This time it was 21 instead of 11. Since the previous World Cup I had seen more Cages than a lion in Duffy’s circus. C 21 had a reputation for housing the best football team in Phase 6 of Long Kesh and there was a healthy interest in the game. So the expectations were great. England were missing again, knocked out by a good Italian side with Causio, Bettega, Zoff and the “assassin” Gentile in the ranks.
Scotland were there, again, and indeed were expected to do well. They were hampered before they took the field by possible two of the worst World Cup songs ever—courtesy of Andy Cameron and fellow comedian Rod Stewart. Ally’s Army failed to win either of their first two matches. Thumped by a Cubillas inspired Peru—visions of Alan Rough diving full length only to be met by the ball on the way back out of the net, and humbled by lowly Iran. A famous 3-2 victory over the Netherlands save some face but ultimately not Ally’s job. By this stage Willie Johnston had returned early to Bonnie Scotland after allegedly taking a banned stimulant before one of the games. Rumours that Alan Rough was also on drugs were never founded.
If the same old faces were making the running in the tournament, Brazil and Italy would progress to the latter stages. Some new exciting names were emerging on the world stage: Hans Krankl, Rumenigge, Rossi, Boniek. The late kick off times to me enhanced the viewing. All the non football types were tucked up in their beds leaving the aficionado’s to it.
One particular match stands out for me, an early group game between Argentina, the hosts and an emerging French team replete with Platini, Rocheteau and Tresor, a fantastic sweeper. Argentina won 2-1 but it was a game you didn’t want to end - it was football heaven. Only downside was we had waited up for the kick off, 11 pm our time I think, and just as it was about to start Bobby Spence, as was customary in the middle hut on the stroke of every hour, lowered the volume of the TV with his TV stick, custom made for the job as the TV was on a shelf 7 feet up the wall and turned the radio on for the latest news from radio Ulster. We sat expectantly like Muppets- watching Kempes’ hair flowing in the breeze while listening to some local reporter tell of the latest batch of bad news from our wee province.
Brazil were my personal favourites that year. I always rated the Scotland team by how many Rangers players were in it, and it looked like my pick could go all the way. That is until the last group game of the second stage pitted Argentina against Peru. The hosts needed to win by four clear goals to reach the final at the expense of Brazil. Surely a forlorn task. Not so seemingly as they crushed their South American counterparts 6-0 amidst cries of ‘Fix’. Rumours varied: the release of Peruvian prisoners in Argentina’s jails, the country was in a very volatile state in these days; financial aid from Argentina to Peru - highly unlikely given that Argentina had hardly two brass peso’s to rub together. Anyhow, they prevailed by the said score line to meet the Netherlands in the Final, Holland’s second Final in a row. And alas their second losing one. They succumbed to Argentina in extra time in a very close match.
So another tournament ends. Late nights and litter strewn pitches, the flowing mane of Kempes, the darting run of Wee Archie through the Dutch defence, Ally McLeod head in hands, all great memories. And the prospect of Ossie and Big Ricky heading for Blighty.
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Argentina-France, the best game of soccer I have ever seen. Having watched thousands of them that is no mean feat
ReplyDeleteNot being a football fan unless I have a bet on the game and the throwback to earlier day’s when the sickener of being a Taig made going to the Glens games too dodgy.
ReplyDeleteI know it is unlikely but our wee islands chances of putting on a good show at the world cup is always lessened by that imaginary line as the best players in the north and their counter parts in the south together would probably be a stronger team.
Did the screws ever pull the plug during a football match out of vindictiveness or did they let the prisoners watch the matches.
ReplyDeleteFrankie,
ReplyDeletein the cages it was never an issue.
In the blocks they could be flexible enough, certainly for the final. But it would have been rare to get staying out past the normal lock up time. That had to be a senior prison management decision and normally only applied to the final. But even during the blanket when there was access to nothing, quite a few of the night guard would have told us the results if we asked them.