Greenock Telegraph Archives: Morton in do or die relegation clash

The Cappielow club were aiming for victory against Partick Thistle to avoid the relegation play-off place in the First Division.

It was between Morton and Clyde, who were set to meet relegated Stirling Albion at Broadwood.

Both clubs were level on points, with Morton enjoying a slender one-goal advantage in goal difference.

Morton had given themselves a huge boost by beating Dunfermline 3-0 at Cappielow the week before, setting the scene for the massive match in Glasgow.

Morton had to match or better whatever result Clyde achieved in their fixture to stay in eighth place.

Ton were followed by a visiting support of around 3,000 fans.

The Ton managed to avoid the playoffs, with a Brian Wake double and spectacular strike from Kevin Finlayson helping them beat the home side 3-0.

Elsewhere, Inverclyde temporarily had its own answer to the London Eye.  

All the fun of the fair came to Greenock as White’s and M&D’s brought a huge fairground to East India harbour.

Tele photographer Douglas Hendry snapped a picture of the huge big wheel as it was put up.

The fair — described as the UK’s biggest ‘portable theme park’ — was set to open the following month.

Meanwhile, construction workers made sure they were a site for sore eyes in Greenock.

The Tele had popped out to see the workers road test new high-visibility kilts at a site in Gibshill, where home firm Persimmon were building new houses.

Willing workies made sure their equipment was secure as they posed onsite for the Tele.

Kevin Leitch, 17, from Greenock, wore his with pride.

He said at the time: “I think the kilts are great but the colour is a bit too crazy for me.

“You can’t really be a true Scotsman though — it’s a bit too dangerous for that on a building site.”

In other news, three soccer starlets from Greenock Academy were celebrating after helping their side to conquer Europe.

Fourth-year pupils Kieran Pettigrew, Mark Higgins and Euan Wheeler all played key roles as their team, St Mirren FC Boys’ Club, triumphed in the prestigious Coppa Marbella tournament.

The promising 15-year-old prospects flew out to Spain as part of a 16-man squad for the competition.

They saw off sides from Spain and Gibraltar to land the trophy.

The local lads played in the side which was the main feeder team for the St Mirren pro youth outfit and had been with the club for a combined total of 14 years.

Elsewhere, a marine conservation were going wild about the Clyde with a new scheme dedicated to protecting the coastline.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) launched the Cool Seas Scotland project at Largs Sailing Club, followed by a safari on the shores of the Firth of Clyde.

Cool Seas was an educational initiative, run by MCS to raise awareness of Scotland’s seas.

MCS Scottish projects officer, Anne Saunders said at the time: “Pollution of our seas and beaches, overfishing and damage to fragile wildlife are all still problems.

“This project will help redress the balance by educating the wider community about our seas.”