Down Memory Lane – The Day the Title was Won
Twenty-five years ago today, the 15th of April, 1995 was a day to remember for all connected with the ‘Loons’ when the club clinched the second league title success in their history.
Eleven years before the first championship success had finally arrived but a quarter of a century ago to the very day Tommy Campbell and his squad headed up the A9 to Dingwall knowing that victory over Ross County would clinch the Bells Division Three title as it was known then with still four games of the season remaining.
To set the scene, the Athies were sitting on 67 points from 31 games played, while Ross County themselves were on 54 from a game less played. East Stirling also went into the day in the equation but a victory up north for the ‘Loons’ would scupper any title ambitions the Firs Park club had.
Therefore those statistics meant that victory for the Station Park outfit at Victoria Park meant the silverware would be clinched.
On a bright but blustery day, it was estimated that between 300/400 Forfar fans made the journey north to swell the crowd to an impressive a the time for County of 2,496. In fact, the kick-off was delayed for five minutes to ease turnstile congestion.
The visitors went into the game minus the injured experienced due of Ian Heddle and Neil Irvine.
The game itself was not a classic although the ‘Loons’ had the upper hand on a bumpy playing surface, Alan Morgan, David Bingham and Don McVicar all going close to scoring before what turned out to be the only goal of the game arrived in spectacular fashion in the 39th minute of the contest.
Bobby MannVeteran Ian McPhee who had captained the 1984 side and Bobby Mann utilised a well-rehearsed free-kick routine all of thirty yards out from goal before big Bob smashed an unstoppable effort which swerved well past the outstretched arms of the home custodian.
The second half was a real towsy affair, but in the end, Forfar held out with some comfort to send their support into raptures as Jim McGillivray blew the final whistle.
The visitors' line-up on that historic afternoon was;- Gordon Arthur, Stuart Glennie, Ian McPhee, Bobby Mann, Alan McKillop, Don McVicar, Alan Morgan, Dougie Craig, Sandy Ross, Paul Hannigan, David Bingham. Steve McCormick replaced Paul Hannigan in the second period, while Jamie Loney and goalkeeper Craig Stephen were the unused substitutes.
The side was to go on to pick up another ten points from their remaining four games, including a 4-1 home success against Arbroath on the day the league trophy presentation took place.
Their eventual points tally of 80 from the 36 games saw them finish 13 points clear of neighbours Montrose who courtesy of a tremendous late run to the line pipped all other challengers with some comfort to clinch the runner up berth and the second promotion spot.
In fact, third-placed Ross County never recovered from the disappointment of losing to the ‘Loons’ and eventually finished 20 points adrift of Tommy Campbell’s troops.
On the statistics front for that season, David Bingham was an ever-present and also top scorer with 21 goals to his name.
David Bingham
David was also rewarded with the SPFA Third Division Player of the Season Award, while Tommy picked up the trophy for Manager of the Season.
Bouncing on to the present day, eleven of the title-winning squad were due at Station Park along with manager Tommy Campbell and coach Tom McCallum for a reunion at this Saturday’s scheduled home game with Peterhead.
Sadly what would have no doubt been a day to remember will not take place in these troubled times we find ourselves in and a certain bit of the nostalgic ‘magic’ will, therefore, be lost, but hopefully when some normality returns it can be re-arranged for a date in the early season calendar of 2020/21 whenever that may be.
When it does, we are sure a glass will be raised to three prominent people involved in that 94/5 campaign who are no longer with us namely Don McVicar, genial Assistant Manager of the time Brian McLaughlin and Chairman George Enston.
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