Wilson Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Aside from being a fine player, Donald has helped Hearts survive twice. He is one of the founders of FoH, and earlier, was instrumental in bringing in Wallace Mercer. A true Hearts great IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 He also played in goal v Clyde after Cruickie was injured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 How good was this lad? I wish I'd seen him play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbee647 Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 1 hour ago, sandylejambo said: law was almost finished in 74, he should never have played before Ford, it was a travesty that he was picked over Ford, no matter how good Law used to be. Law was the greatest Scottish striker of his generation, but by 1974 he was was years past his best, he was picked for the 1974 World Cup squad 100% based on sentiment Ford was at his peak and deserved his chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hashimoto Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 1 minute ago, ri Alban said: How good was this lad? I wish I'd seen him play. Up there with the best...Hard as nails! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Factuer Moi Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) 4 minutes ago, ri Alban said: How good was this lad? I wish I'd seen him play. Rab is and always will be my favourite Jambo, spoke with him now and then, he was always just one of the boys. Actually got flushed faced when i tried to idolise him... Some boy. Rab and Keegan were my main mentors as a young player . Edited January 28, 2022 by Factuer Moi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hashimoto Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 1 minute ago, Factuer Moi said: Rab is and always will be my favourite Jambo, spoke with him now and then, he was always just one of the boys. Actually got flushed faced when i tried to idolise him... Some boy. Rab??????...that's the Buzzbomb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Factuer Moi Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Just now, Hashimoto said: Rab??????...that's the Buzzbomb! Sorry That is Drew Busby, i was watching a video on Rab there.. Yikes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davieholt Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 1 hour ago, Hashimoto said: Donald Ford was a great wee player and a good servant to Hearts. Bad car accident more or less ended his career at Hearts. Always felt that Willie Gibson got a hard time trying to follow on from Ford. Gibson could score, but he was no where near the class of Ford.....FWIW....He should have played ahead of a well past it Law at WC in 1974 Actually, at the time, Donald himself had a hard time replacing Willie Wallace after we sold him to Celtic for buttons. The fans were so disgusted at losing Wallace and Donald was seen as 'lightweight'. In the event, he proved to be one of the best forwards we ever had. and I still remember his fabulous goal against Rangers in the cup replay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbee647 Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 3 minutes ago, ri Alban said: How good was this lad? I wish I'd seen him play. 100% commitment, one of the better players in a period of dross, would not have got a regular game in the modern era, a bit too industrial for modern coaches and referees. if I was going to compare to anyone in the recent era I would go for Ryan Stevenson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canscot Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Like many have said Ford and Cruickie were also my hero's. About 10 yrs ago I was back for a visit and was at a restaurant in South Queensferry for dinner with my sister. Who was sitting a couple of tables away? You guessed it. I almost plucked up the courage to go and chat to him to tell him how much influence he had on me as a player but chickened out as I did not want to disturb he and his wife. 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Just now, jbee647 said: 100% commitment, one of the better players in a period of dross, would not have got a regular game in the modern era, a bit too industrial for modern coaches and referees. if I was going to compare to anyone in the recent era I would go for Ryan Stevenson 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Hashimoto said: Up there with the best...Hard as nails! 8 minutes ago, Factuer Moi said: Rab is and always will be my favourite Jambo, spoke with him now and then, he was always just one of the boys. Actually got flushed faced when i tried to idolise him... Some boy. Rab and Keegan were my main mentors as a young player . Loved Keegan and Linekar, but King Kenny and Wee Robbo were Gods to me Edited January 28, 2022 by ri Alban Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macros Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 1 hour ago, RobNox said: I remember his hat trick of penalties against Morton. Donald and Cruickie were my heroes when I first started going to games. Was that the game we won 6-1? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gannet Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Ford was one of my favourites back in the 70s. Was fair chuffed to play against him in a five a sides tournament at Meadowbank, was a charity event organised by Radio Forth. Winning sides received Radio Forth t-shirt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzz Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 14 minutes ago, ri Alban said: How good was this lad? I wish I'd seen him play. My all time favourite Hearts player, as others have said 100% commitment and hard as nails. Loved watching him take penalties too. No mucking about, just put the laces right through them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Goalscoring Knee Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 4 minutes ago, Macros said: Was that the game we won 6-1? I seem to recall it was 3-2 after we were 2-0 down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Factuer Moi Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 7 minutes ago, ri Alban said: Loved Keegan and Linekar, but King Kenny and Wee Robbo were Gods to me So you were a cheeky moaning faced aggressive poaching nippy wee sweetie wife then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasAndy Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Donald Ford was not only a great player but also a true gentleman. Bumped in to him one day in early 80s and he could tell by my enthusiastic face that I had recognised him and he stopped for a chat. We were in the throws of the relegation yoyo period and things looked grim at Tynecastle at that time. I remember him saying don't worry things will get better. Ironically a year or 2 later he was persuading Wallace Mercer to save our club! Also that day Donald was heading to an appointment at the Eye pavilion but he still made the time to talk to a fan. Loved him as a player, admired him as a man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Just now, Factuer Moi said: So you were a cheeky moaning faced aggressive poaching nippy wee sweetie wife then. With a fat arse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Factuer Moi Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) 2 minutes ago, ri Alban said: With a fat arse. Hmm. How fat ,How tall are you? Edited January 28, 2022 by Factuer Moi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old tart Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Like me Donald now lives in Carnoustie, as does another ex-Jambo, Dave McNicoll. Donald runs a photography business and plays a lot of golf. Still looks very fit and still has that fine head of hair (though a different hue to his playing days). A true Hearts great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Radge Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Every week I looked forward to seeing the Aird Ford Busby Stevenson Prentice forward line. Donald was my absolute hero. His goal in the 4-1 revenge match following a 50 yard run by Stevenson was one of my favourites but the best was at Parkhead when he ran with the ball along the 18 yard line beating several defenders before doing a right angle and ramming the ball home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 15 minutes ago, Factuer Moi said: Hmm. How fat ,How tall are you? A low down bum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott herbertson Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 The phrase "true gentleman" would apply to him. No petulance, no kidding on or shamming it. He would hand the ball back to the opposition if it ran away. His positional sense was great and for quite a small CF (I think 5' 9 or 10?) he could rise to a header like a gazelle. I used to think at the time he was like our bobby charlton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamboozy Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 My hero in the 70s, an exemplary football player, he would put these play acting pre-Madonna’s to shame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Factuer Moi Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Just now, ri Alban said: A low down bum. More a McGinn then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fort Vallance Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 1 hour ago, merrymac said: Correct Morgan he was a CA. Now has his own photography business, think he specialises in Scottish and golf scenery. Top player, and honest as the day is long, no diving for Donald I can vouch for his talent as a photographer. I've got a cracking photo of the Forth Bridge at sunset from when his gallery was at Queensferry. A thing of beauty. Signed it for me when I proved my credentials. Think he lives in Carnoustie now. Ex captain of the golf club. All round lovely guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Just now, Factuer Moi said: More a McGinn then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Factuer Moi Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Just now, ri Alban said: Don't start me on that one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PortyBeach Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 1 hour ago, alanbauld said: Donald Ford, Alan Anderson and Jim Cruickshank were the quality spine in an otherwise very poor time for Hearts, the team then were really quite dismal, so bad that a crowd of over 10,000 was a very rare occurrence. He was a real Hearts man, always gave everything and could certainly score goals without a lot of help from anyone else (which was just as well). Good in the air as well as on the ground, remember him seeing off Celtic at Parkhead on one of the few occasions the team around him sparked into life, especially remember his headed goal in that game, majestic. One of my first hero's. If he had a weakness for the modern game it is probably his slim build though his speed did seem to compensate back then. Only ever got one booking in his career I believe, a controversial throwing the ball to a referee who wasn't looking at the time. Sums up my memories (and trauma!) of that era. As you say, Ford was a great Hearts man and there’s no higher tribute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 2 minutes ago, Factuer Moi said: Don't start me on that one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Factuer Moi Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 2 minutes ago, Fort Vallance said: I can vouch for his talent as a photographer. I've got a cracking photo of the Forth Bridge at sunset from when his gallery was at Queensferry. A thing of beauty. Signed it for me when I proved my credentials. Think he lives in Carnoustie now. Ex captain of the golf club. All round lovely guy. If anyone is interested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Factuer Moi Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 2 minutes ago, ri Alban said: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Just now, Factuer Moi said: 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon simpson Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 2 hours ago, The Maroon Pound said: Naw we've no just signed him although maybe he would still bang them in the back of the net. I never seen him play and I am curious of the type of player he was as clearly being a great club servant during the 60s & early 70s How would you rate him alongside Robertson, Bauld etc Donald Ford was my childhood hero along with Jim Cruickshank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Factuer Moi Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 1 minute ago, ri Alban said: 👍 Go on , keep it up. Yo u know what will be next. 🤙 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Just now, Factuer Moi said: Go on , keep it up. Yo u know what will be next. 🤙 I don't want sent off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Factuer Moi Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Just now, ri Alban said: I don't want sent off. Right i told ye, talking guff to Me means one thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 52 minutes ago, ri Alban said: How good was this lad? I wish I'd seen him play. He was magic, ri. As I said, just this afternoon, on the Busby thread, he was, and still is, my all-time favourite Hearts player. 32 minutes ago, Factuer Moi said: So you were a cheeky moaning faced aggressive poaching nippy wee sweetie wife then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Factuer Moi Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 3 minutes ago, ri Alban said: I don't want sent off. Oh wait, seems there is an issue with You being sent Off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 @ri Alban and @Factuer Moi engaging in friendly banter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 6 minutes ago, Morgan said: He was magic, ri. As I said, just this afternoon, on the Busby thread, he was, and still is, my all-time favourite Hearts player. 👍 Wish I'd seen him, but I did get to see Robbo, JC and Big Sandy. Wish we had them know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Morgan said: @ri Alban and @Factuer Moi engaging in friendly banter. 👍 It's Friday and Hearts are gonnae hammer Motherwell the morra. Oh and my wife's new car just arrived. Nae mair taxiing. Edited January 28, 2022 by ri Alban Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Factuer Moi Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) 2 minutes ago, ri Alban said: 👍 Wish I'd seen him, but I did get to see Robbo, JC and Big Sandy. Wish we had them know. Ok Red card rescinded during play, this one is sent off instead. At least you played at the highest level.... Edited January 28, 2022 by Factuer Moi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 2 minutes ago, ri Alban said: 👍 It's Friday and Hearts are gonnae hammer Motherwell the morra. Oh and my wife's new car just arrived. Nae mair taxiing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 1 minute ago, Factuer Moi said: Ok Red card rescinded during play, this one is sent off instead. At lest you played at the highest level.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Just now, Morgan said: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Just now, ri Alban said: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Just now, Morgan said: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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