7th May 1975: Ian’s Vital Goal Lands Title at Ettrick Park.
Selkirk FC land their first ever senior league title, hovever it goes right down to the wire in this midweek fixture with Edinburgh University!
One of the largest crowds ever seen at Ettrick Park jumped for Joy when Ian Whitehead (pictured) headed home the important goal against Edinburgh University for it saw the Souters take the East of Scotland League for the first time. In a close and extremely exciting battle between the two top teams it was Selkirk who had the edge at the end of the day. The University certainly did not give up their title chances to Selkirk and their slick moving team gave the Souters a hard fight of it. The visitors deserved to take the lead following a neat move deep in their own half, Stewart MacKinnon finished it off with a fine shot into the corner of the net.
The university men were looking dangerous on the break although it was Selkirk who were doing most of the pressing. It was player/manager Ian Whitehead – the man who has steered Selkirk to great things this season – who settled the account. He headed though a ruck of players to score the vital goal and send the crowds wild with delight.
But many a heartbeat was missed in the last minute when Colin Arnott controlled a loose ball in the penalty area but blasted it wide when it seemed easier to score. Selkirk finished the season with 39 points while Edinburgh University had 38.
After the game, East of Scotland Football Asociation Officials Morain Scott and Alex Jack presented the League trophy
TEAMS:
SELKIRK: D. McConnell, Colville, Tait, Bell, Rutherford, Dick, Whitehead, Brown, B. McConnell, McLaren, Fairgrieve. Subs: Anderson, Cockburn.
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY: Tevendale, Wood, Dryburgh, Davis, Steel, McNeil, Kirkwood, Cathro, Arnott, Harris, MacKinnon. Subs: Hepburn, Campbell.
REFEREE: Eddie Thompson, Edinburgh.
Footnote: This featured match was the closest Edinburgh University were ever to come to winning a Senior League title until season 2007-08 when they were to lose out once again by a single point, this time to Whitehill Welfare.
How the league finished after the 1-1 draw with Edinburgh University on May 7th 1975