Finally, the website has had the opportunity to catch up with one of, if not the most important man in Windlaw's history. Brother Danny Dooley has now taken to the stage to provide us with an intriguing insight of the club's basic origins. Here, he tells us of how it began, where, who the characters were and his thoughts on the club today. Without ruining it any further, here is our interview with Danny, the man who shaped the club from the very beginning in 1991.
How did your idea of first starting a football team come about?
We talked a lot about starting a team because all we ever done was play and talk football amongst ourselves. We all really enjoyed it. I don't know if I took it upon myself to be the organiser or if I was pushed into it. Paul Waters (AKA Wabbs) was also instrumental in the forming of our club. To answer your question, we just got bored playing against each other and longed for a challenge.
How did you get it all organised, getting into a league, getting strips etc?
First of all, we organised some friendlies through family and friends' works teams and won the first ten games, so we looked for a manager without much success. Ronnie Lunny showed some interest, but had other commitments like dealing with the neds in Bennigans all day and all night. Still, he sorted us out with the old blue and yellow Bennigans strips, which was a start. As far as joining a league was concerned I think we aimed pretty high as the Saturday Morning Premier League name would suggest. At the time it was a very organised league with some well established teams such as Maryhill AFC. The criteria for this league had us in a panic for a few weeks as they required a home grass park, goal nets were compulsory as well. Trying to get players to put the nets up was another story. We also needed some funding, hence the football cards and a trip to the Scottish Housing Office who agreed to give us £100 after me explaining we were representing the area and that's how the name Windlaw AFC came about. There was still a lot of work to be done and little time to do it. We needed more funding and a home ground with a grass park, so we wrote to Glasgow City Council about a grass park and were stunned when we got offered Carmunnock. We applied for other local grants with some success. I think our books showed £300-£400 for the start of the season. By this time, people were taking an interest in us. Walter French(AKA Watty) started giving us SAS training assisted by big Rab Darroch, (whatever happened to him?). Players outwith the Stravanan area wanted to play for us. Eddie Fitzpatrick and Mick Ryan also offered to sponsor us and gave me a cheque to get a kit, nets and balls. Believe me when I say we had better strips than any other amateur club, the balls we bought cost £37 each 15 years ago. So Windlaw AFC was born.
Can you remember any details of the club's very first game, opposition, the team, the scorers, where you played it?
We played two friendlies against teams from our new league. I can't remember the first ones name but the score was 5-3 to us, not bad considering we grabbed a glue sniffer off the street to play in goals. He played with slip-on shoes, Billy Gallacher scored 2, I scored 2. I can't remember the other scorer but im sure someone will claim it. The next one was against Hunter & Clark. We lost 3-2 but it was a great game and we surprised the opposition who did not expect us to be of any great quality. Billy Gallacher scored again, cant remember the other scorer, Rab Smith was my man of the match. Our first competitive game was against a team from Cowenglen I think. We played them in Cambuslang as there was a problem with Carmunock and we lost 4-0, Chic Mclaughlin was to blame for all 4 goals!
How long did you manage the team for?
Between 2 and 3 years.
What did you think the team could achieve then,ie winning things or was it just really something to do?
I really thought we could win things. In our second season, we had a good team. I am sure we got to a cup semi-final. This was in another league as we got kicked out of the first one because Johan(AKA Brian Law) blatantly broke a players nose. Anyway, getting to a semi-final was an achievement because we were in Division Three. Also the cup game against Lorne Star was an achievement as they were in the First Division and wore Rangers strips. We beat them 4-2 at Glenwood, I'll never forget their faces when they walked in to the Labour clubs dressing room and saw our green and white torino strips.
Who were the hardest men in your original team?
John Fitzpatrick, Shug Neeson, Wullie Carlton and Kevin Hale (AKA Jinky). I remember Jinky coming on as a sub and lasting 60 seconds, he walked on and kicked a guy in the b***s for reasons still unknown to me. John F bullied forwards all day. Big Shug was more subtle. Wullie C was usually sent on the park to sort someone out and Jinky, well, he was just a loose cannon.
Did you think that 15 years on, the club would still be running and that you had started ‘the beast' that you have?
I never gave it a thought. I think the team lasting so long must be down to Stevie Thomson and the people who helped him run it.
Do you feel proud of your achievement of forming the club and starting everything off?
No, it just happened to be me!
Looking in now, how do you think the club has progressed till present times?
Its very well established now. When we started, Birgidale was the Castlemilk team everyone knew, now its Windlaw. I never dreamed we would have our own website that's for sure and some players would still be involved.
How do you feel about being referred to as ‘Brother Danny'?
I don't mind a bit of banter, but I was disappointed at not being a judge in the choosing of the soccerettes.
Can you believe that Shug Neeson is still performing in Windlaw colours at the age of 49?
Is that all he is? Yes I can believe it, is he still a hacking ba****d?
What would you say to any of the newer players currently performing for the club?
Stay in on a Friday night, share your drugs amongst the team and enjoy your football as it wont be long until your Shug Neesons age.
Many thanks for a fantastic interview Danny. Undoubtedly, we now actually feel as if we are presenting an official Windlaw Website now that we have finally nailed down probably our most important contribution to date. Danny's place in our legendary hall of fame was long since assured and after the untimely passing of Eddie Fitzpatrick, it's now an interview that has more meaning than ever before.The Dannys, Eddies, Pats, Johns, Wabbs, Stevies, Shugs etc are the true history of our club.This is something we'll never forget as we struggle on today. God bless them all!
