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A SCOTTISH FOOTBALLING LEGEND |
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Written by Stu Frew
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Monday, 11 December 2006 |
 I had the pleasure of meeting a true legend (certainly in these parts) yesterday and how it made my day.
Jimmy Sirrel celebrating his great achievement
of leading Notts County into the old First Division
Jimmy Sirrel managed Notts. County over two spells and was the clubs greatest-ever manager. His career in football began on the wing playing for Celtic back in 1945. He stayed at Celtic Park for four seasons where he made his name as a tricky ball player.
Jimmy is much loved in Nottingham where people remember his feat of getting an unfashionable club in Notts County promoted through all four divisions to the old top flight. When he came to Nottingham, Notts were in the position of regularly applying for re-election to stay in the old Fourth Division whilst neighbours Forest were attempting to pip Best, Law and Charlton’s Manchester United off the top of the other end of the league, a charge lead by the likes of men such as Joe Baker and Ian Storey-Moore. When Jimmy came to Nottingham he simply had this to say however:
“Ask any kid what he knows about Notts County and he'll tell you they're the oldest football team in the world. By the time I've finished he'll know a lot more,"
And so Jimmy went about his long task of raising this once glamorous club back to success and respectability having immediately endearing himself to the black and white half of the Nottingham football fraternity with his determined words. It wouldn’t be long before the Notts crowd were singing “Nice one Sirrel” to a popular terrace song of the day. They really don’t make people like Jimmy Sirrel these days.
Another promotion! A happy Jimmy pictured with his Magpies players
after reaching the Second Division in season 1972/3.
Yesterday had been a lovely day. Taking a few hours off I had a walk with a friend by the local River Trent in the sunshine and blustery wind, all was well with the world and the fresh air tasted sweet. Afterwards we dropped by a pub in the nearby village of Burton Joyce to round off the stroll with a pint and a sandwich. It was on leaving that I noticed this face that had been very familiar to me for many years, “It’s Jimmy isn’t it?” I queried slightly incomprehensibly. Soon we were chatting, of course about the beautiful game and about Scotland too. I managed to remark on his captain of many years, Scottish internationalist; Don Masson had been one of my very favourite players that I’d never seen a man who could pass a football better than he. Typically Jimmy just said, “Well I had lot’s of very good players” that had always been the Sirrel ethos – that football is a team game. In his career he would never be drawn on individual performances by media questioning, always preferring to credit the team display.
He suddenly mentioned that ‘David’ was still living in the village. I quickly realised he was referring to his friend the legendary Dave McKay of Tottenham Hotspurs and Scotland fame – perhaps one of the greatest Scottish players of all time. Dave McKay managed Forest after his playing days at nearby Derby County were over and settled in the area never to leave again.
As I stood chatting with Jimmy I realised that he’d barely changed in appearance in thirty years! He was still the same diminutive, slim and wiry figure he had been many years ago, no doubt a testament to looking after himself and being a dedicated football man. Jimmy’s generation appreciated the fact they were paid to do something they loved. For a young lad like him growing up in the harsh world of industrial Glasgow in the 1920s’ and 1930s’, playing football was a dream come true and an escape from the shipyards or coal mines. Incredibly I read later that he is now eighty-four years young.
Of course the subject turned to his friend who managed the club across the other side of the Trent – Brian Clough. He and Brian had been great friends and shared many social occasions together over the years. He mentioned what a lovely man Brian was and how he missed his old pal. Before we left we finally established that Jimmy’s family came from of all places, Musselburgh the same as mine – I was very happy to hear that! So with a cheery light-heartedness and a twinkle in his eye, he bade us goodbye and said that he was often in the pub and to “come and talk to him anytime”. What a lovely man and what great memories at finally meeting and talking to this great Scot. It was an honour I shall remember for a long time.
Jimmy relaxes with a cuppa after another day’s training
Jimmy Sirrel was honoured by Notts County when they named the newly re-developed County Road after him. He remains a staunch fan of the club and is still to be seen at games at Meadow Lane where he is a much loved figure.
Career details:
• Playing career - Clubs:
o Glasgow Celtic
o Bradford Park Avenue
o Brighton & Hove Albion
o Aldershot
• Managed:
o Brentford
o Notts County
o Shefiield Utd
o Notts County (2)
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