'78
How a Nation Lost the World Cup
Published on 7. February 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-7553-1410-2 (ISBN)
Description
Against the backdrop of nationalism, devolution and North Sea oil, Scotland were the only British team to qualify for the 1978 World Cup, and set off with genuine hopes of returning champions. But it all went horribly wrong. Beaten by Peru, a country few could point to on a map, and drawing with Iran, Scotland faced Holland, needing to win by three goals. Incredibly, the Scots conjured up one of the greatest goals in World Cup history to give themselves a chance!but it wasn't to be. Throughout this entertaining account, the cast of characters stands out: manager Ally McLeod, more a friendly uncle than world-class strategist; the monstrously permed, part-time goalkeeper Alan Rough; and wide-boy Willie Johnstone, sent home after failing a drugs test. Yet despite the resounding failure and humiliation, Argentina '78 is still viewed with great affection. Perhaps for the last time, Scotland had a world-class team and after all, if you end up beating the runners-up, doesn't that mean you are the winners?
Reviews / Votes
'written with the utmost tact and good humour, '78 is an enjoyable account of a painful episode' -- The Scotsman 'an enjoyably masochistic read that is full of pathos...this is worth the money for oldies, and also for young enthusiasts who need to be taught about the great perils of hubris' -- Scotland on Sunday 'never again would Scotland be touted as potential World Cup winners, and this excellent book sheds new light on why it still haunts them 28 years later' -- FourFourTwo 'this breezy and enjoyable account of Scottish football's equivalent of the Culloden massacre, with Ally cast in the role of the hopelessly misguided Bonnie Prince Charlie offers some plausible explantions as to why the 1978 team now has assumed a marketable kitsch value and inspire not a little misty-eyed reminsiscing among the less youthful followers of the national team' -- When Saturday ComesMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Headline Publishing Group
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 143 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
210 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7553-1410-2 (9780755314102)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
A freelance writer - and long-time follower of Scotland - Graham McColl contributes regularly to THE TIMES, FOURFOURTWO and WHEN SATURDAY COMES. He has written many books and also worked with Tommy Gemmell on his autobiography.