It's been quite some time since our last look at one of the figures who have helped shape the club so much and this time, our last legend interviewed Sir Jimmy Brennan nominated current assistant boss Benny Carey to be questioned about his time with the club. Since joining in 2000, Benny has been at the forefront of every Windlaw team throughout the decade when the trophies started coming in. He was also a huge part of the treble winning team of 2002/03 and even as recently as the 2007/08 season, he was Top Goalscorer and Player Of The Year for the new afternoon team. He was instrumental in bringing current manager Billy Hepburn to the club and now works alongside him as they try to build the foundations for a team that will rise up in afternoon amateur football after success in the morning league. Here is the big man’s story in words.
How did you first start playing for the club?
I was playing for Fernhill, who were folding. Stevie Thomson heard about this and phoned the Fernhill Manager. He told me and Scotty Williamson he wanted both of us to sign for him. Levern (the champs at the time) also wanted us but Stevie was persistent and that’s how our Windlaw adventure started.
You formed a great partnership with Scotty Williamson, how would you describe him as a player?
As a player he was outstanding the best I ever played with and as a pal he was absolutely mental, but then again so were all the Windlaw squad at that time. But Scotty was a bit special, when I got the ball all I ever heard was ‘anywhere’. After that it was all about the weight of the pass in behind the opponents.
What was your most memorable Windlaw game?
My first game away at Levern. Stevie had told me how the Windlaw team was very young and usually got bullied in this away fixture. Well after this game they never did that again and we became the big fish in that league. I also scored a couple of beauties that day.
What was your proudest moment?
Too many to recall probably! But I do remember one game big Shug ranting at me for playing the ball too early only for him to jump on me and congratulate me on the defence splitting pass that created a goal. Same game, I did the same again and got the same abuse and congratulations from him. When I played it early the third time, he merely shook his head and never ranted again, good job though as Scotty scored three times from these early balls through.
Hardest opponent ever faced?
Probably Kerrso as he kept dropping me,ha ha! Danny McKenna and Chris Hepburn at training? No it was big Alan Campbell up at Blochairn Star, he was hard as f**k but fair. Great big centre-half and a gentleman too.
What was your biggest disappointment?
Shug, Scotty and the rest of the 2003 squad calling time on their playing careers but Brucie Tierney was the best squad member I have ever known. Some of the playing disappointments he got from getting dropped for big games were also a low point for me.
What was the best ever Windlaw eleven you played in? 
The treble winning squad of 2003. I would probably replace myself with Greg Johnstone, him and Scotty Williamson together would have been frightening. I’ve also played a wee bit with this current squad (2010) and hopefully they will surpass the class of 2003.
You won a Players Player Of The Year Award and Top Goalscorer in our first season in afternoon football in 2007/08. How have you found the difference between morning and afternoon football?
A lot harder as I was 38 when I started with the Windlaw afternoon team! Seriously though, I didn’t find much of a difference as I thought some of the morning teams were superb. Look at some of the runs they’ve had in the major tournaments like the Scottish and West Cups.
You’re now assistant manager to Billy Hepburn, what qualities has he brought to the club?
Ha ha don’t ask me about him, he told me I was finished! (ED-not the first person Benny!). So I suppose his honesty would be high on the list. He’s very thorough, determined and he’s a winner. Knowing all this I suppose that’s the reason I tried to get him to the club for such a long time. I think he will turn out to be one of the best signings the club has ever made.
You have managed to keep playing and scoring goals until after your 40th birthday, whats the secret of managing to play for so long?
If I told you that, you would all be doing it, although I might just let Macky and Coco know! Ha ha cheers guys and Hail Hail the Windlaw. Many thanks to Sir Jimmy Brennan for nominating me for such an interview. Coming from him, that’s a real compliment mucker.
