Due to popular demand, we have reproduced this interview with former player and manager Scott Young, by Eddy Patrick as part of his 'Raiders of the Lost Archives' series in our matchday programme, the Glentoran Gazette. This was the first time that Scott had spoken in such depth about his time at the club, since leaving his post as manager, two years ago last week.
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Scott Young was one of the most fiery, skilful and industrious footballers of Glentoran's Roy Coyle years; an essential cog in the pragmatic, frequently robust and often entertaining Glens’ team of that era. He was only a ‘wee man’ yet his stature, at a time when the Irish League was more physical than it is today didn’t stop him from becoming not only the inspiration of the side but an ultra-popular player that captured the hearts of Glentoran supporters. Scott was beloved by Glens fans for producing dynamic and resolute displays in the middle of the park and the love was mutual. There has been some heart-breaking moments in the Scott Young/Glentoran story but for every great low there was a massive high and he will always be highly respected as a player, a great servant to the club and as a person.
Scott how did your move to Glentoran come about and how much of a big decision was it for you to join a club in Northern Ireland?
“I had two seasons at Dunfermline Athletic, before being released at the end of my second season. I was on trial with Burnley, and had been offered a one-year contract. My father was working in the shipyard in H&W at that time and mentioned to a work colleague by the name of George Ferris about my football situation. George got in touch with Roy Coyle, to let him know about my situation, unbeknown to me at the time Roy phoned Bert Paton, the Dunfermline manager to ask about me as a player. Bert said I just needed first team football and that I would do well. I remember Roy Coyle phoning me for the first time, and inviting me over for a trial, I wasn’t too keen to come over for a trial, because I had the one-year contract on the table from Burnley. Roy said there is a player playing for Burnley called Glen Little, who will tell me everything I need to know about Glentoran. I remember asking the apprentices at Burnley 'who is Glen Little'... they pointed me in his direction. I made my way over to see him, told him my situation – he then proceeded to tell me that he’s a Glentoran legend. He couldn’t speak highly enough of the club and the fans, and I soon found out he was a Glentoran legend. I knew a little about the club having been over on pre-season tour with St Johnstone about five years earlier, I remember thinking the playing surface was as good as I had ever seen. I then flew into the City Airport on a Monday afternoon in September, to be met by Billy Stephens and Roy Coyle. We went straight to the Park Avenue Hotel, then to the Oval for training. The next night we played Coleraine at the Showgrounds and won 3-1. The Gaffer offered me a contract the next day, the rest is history.”
Is it fair to say Glentoran has had a major impact on your life and is the club still close to your heart?
“To say that the club has had a major impact on my life would be putting it mildly. Not many people get to play, coach and manage our great club. I met my wife, Eleanor – who’s from the East; have two beautiful girls Georgia and Jessica. The many great people I met through the football club, the lifetime friendships I have with these people. Glentoran Football Club will always have a special place in my heart, and nothing will ever change that.”
Roy Coyle said (at the Morgan Day showing at Strand Cinema) that you were the best player he ever signed at Glentoran. That must mean a lot to you considering the amount of top players he signed?
“For the Gaffer to say that is unbelievable. When I think about the great players he signed for the club, and for him to choose me... what a compliment. I always had a good relationship with the gaffer. The man was the best. I take great pride in the fact that the years 1998 – 2003 were the clubs most successful, in terms of trophies won. Unfortunately after this period my career was over through injury. I remember one time the Gaffer substituting me with about 20minutes to go – I was raging and kicked the water bottles everywhere in the dugout, one just missing the Gaffer's head. After the game I was told to report for a reserve game the next night, played in that game and Margaret Stewart the secretary phoned me the day after, to inform me I’ve to report for another reserve game the Gaffer had organised. I was raging, calling the Gaffer for all sorts (under my breath, mind). Eventually I apologised, was on the bench that Saturday at Portadown, and back in the team the next week. Moral of the story – don’t take him on, there will only be one winner.”
You played a blinder in the Gold Cup Final vs Linfield. Setting up two goals and scoring one youself in a 4-2 win. Was that your best performance in a Glens shirt that night?
“That was a special night, the thing I remember from that game was that it could have been six or seven, we were brilliant, and when we were four up, there was genuine fear in the Linfield player’s eyes. I did play well that night, as did the whole team. Best performance in a Glens’ shirt? I don’t know, I’ll leave that up to other people to decide.”
You also scored a smashing penalty vs Glenavon in the League Cup Final and a crucial penalty vs Cliftonville. I can’t remember you missing any, was that a bit of a specially of yours? I remember John Devine was one of our main pen takers in those days too, did you go above JD as the top ranking penalty taker?
“I remember missing one alright – Linfield at the Oval, took me a long time to forget it as well. I think that was the only one I missed. When John Devine left the club, Justin McBride was hitting them, and then I started hitting them. I enjoyed hitting the pens – although missing that one against the Blues still hurts."
What was best goal and most important goal you ever scored for the Glens?
“My best goal was a left-footed volley against Newry in an Irish cup quarter final down at Newry. Most important goal? I scored a few winning penalties in big games, but I’m struggling to think, I was more used to setting them up for other people.”
You seemed to have a great midfield partnership with Pete Batey. What was he like to play beside?
“Pete Batey was a colossus in the middle of the park, when me and him were in the middle and on form, there were very few who got the better of us. I was this 'Glesga' wide boy, who would be slabbering at opponents, knowing fine well, I had Pete there for back-up. Pete was so strong, probably one of the fittest players I played with, but could also play, was a great captain and leader. There was a time when I was manager, that I would have loved to have had a Pete Batey."
You are a big Rangers’ fan, what was it like for you to play that friendly match at Ibrox?
“If you speak to any player who played in that era, and was involved in that game, they will tell you it was up there with anything we had experienced as a Glentoran player. To walk out at Ibrox and see 2–3000 Glenmen women and children, all of my family at the game, playing against genuine stars at that time was out of this world. The very next day they signed Ronald De Boer from Barcelona. Amazing time.”
Best player you’ve played with at the Oval? And in your career?
“Best player played with at the Oval – There were so many great players at that time – Stuart Elliott, Andy Kirk, Paul Leeman, Rory Hamill, Tim McCann, Pete Batey, Elliott Morris, Chris Walker, John Devine, Gary Smyth, Michael O’Neill, Darren Lockhart, Mark Glendinning to name a few. If I had to push for one it would probably be 'Nicky', the appearances, the important goals he scored for the club, if he had another couple of yards of pace he would have played his whole career in England. Best player played with in my career was Billy Dodds at St Johnstone. You always knew he would end up playing for Scotland.”
Toughest Irish League opponent, and best player you’ve ever played against in your entire career?
“Toughest Irish league opponent...there were a few at that time. Tony Gorman, Pat McAllister to name two, but the toughest was Darren Lockhart, thank God the Gaffer signed him. A tremendous player who I always found it tough against. Best player I ever played against? Easy, my hero, Paul Gascoigne. I played against Gazza in a reserve game against Rangers, and straight from kick off, he ran at me with the ball, I managed to take it off him, and two minutes later he absolutely clobbered me in a tackle. I told him he was my hero and not to ruin that for me. For the next 85 minutes nobody could get near him. After the game he gave me a pair of his boots, and told me to keep working hard. The man was a genius, and probably after George Best, the best British football player we have seen.”
I remember that sad day you got your leg broke vs Ards. How tough was that for you?
“The day I got my leg broke was one of the worst in my life, and even now still hurts – my career as a player at the Oval was drastically cut short at the age of 26. The hurt for my family was almost worse than the injury itself. My one regret is that I never played more games for the club.”
You managed us at one of the lowest points in our history and it did seem an impossible job for anyone at the time, what was it like fighting through all that?
“Taking over the reins of the football club at the club's most difficult time in history was tough. I have never spoken publicly about my time as manager. When you are offered the job of the club you have fell in love with, it’s pretty difficult to say no, you are thinking if I don’t take this opportunity I might never get it again. I soon realised that we were in major financial trouble, and had to drastically cut the wage bill, let players go and that this was going to be difficult. In hindsight I would have liked to have done two or three years at another club, then come back to the Oval as manager. I also think my love for the club caused me to take things too personal and could never switch off. In saying that, winning in Europe and beating Linfield in the league and the County Antrim were massive highs. I will always be thankful for the opportunity to manage the club, and the many people who were so desperate to see me succeed.”
I know you are working with Radio Ulster now but have you considered managing another club in the Irish League?
“I’m enjoying working with Radio Ulster, but the job I have just now would make it difficult for me to take on another football job. I was offered a job in the Championship but had to turn it down because of my work commitments. Although I suppose you never know.”
Do you get down to watch a game at the Oval often and what do you think of the team this season?
“To be honest I’m not down at many of the games. After so many years having the football on a Saturday, the time is now spent with Eleanor and the girls. Obviously doing the radio work, I get to some games. I think that Eddie has done a fantastic job at the club and it’s great to see. Winning the Irish cup last season was fantastic, it was the one thing I wanted the players to experience, and thankfully they now have. There was part of me, where it was difficult to watch at times, but life is too short, I was delighted for the club. Signing Curtis Allen is a fantastic piece of business, and hopefully there will be a few more like him in the future. The club has some great young kids as well, and hopefully they will keep progressing and learning. Finally, can I just take this opportunity to thank all the Glenmen, women and children for their support to me and my family as a player, coach and manager. The club will always be a massive part of my world. Le jeu avant tout”
Photographs by Thomas Sewell.