thegreatsd Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 Today at the game me and my Dad were blethering with another gentleman. The subject turned to Donald Ford and the gentleman said that Ford never got booked for us but my Dad reckoned he got booked bizarrely for bowling the ball overhand to the referee after a free kick had been awarded. I’m way too young at a mere 48 years old to help out! Anybody else able to shed light on who got this right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lido Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 1 minute ago, thegreatsd said: Today at the game me and my Dad were blethering with another gentleman. The subject turned to Donald Ford and the gentleman said that Ford never got booked for us but my Dad reckoned he got booked bizarrely for bowling the ball overhand to the referee after a free kick had been awarded. I’m way too young at a mere 48 years old to help out! Anybody else able to shed light on who got this right? I was at that game and that is my recollection of what happened as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin mcewan Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 Yes, I was at that game and DF threw the ball to the referee but I think it hit his shin to which he took exception and booked him. It was outrageous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegreatsd Posted April 13 Author Share Posted April 13 Thanks. You’ve made Dad happy about his memory still going strong😀👍🇱🇻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Brown Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 I still remember hearing about on the radio. I wasn't at the game, but story as posted by posters previous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EIEIO Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 He was booked but it was rescinded on appeal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrawleyJambo Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 I was there too and that's what happened. We couldn't believe the ref would do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joondalupjambo Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 Fordie, when he was offside used to pick up the ball and take it back to where he was offside or give to a defender near the spot. I remember that happening by a lot. A gent unlike players and their antics of today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott herbertson Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 I was there. My recollection was that he was indeed booked for throwing it back at the referee (may have been a texaco game vs Airdrie or Motherwell I think) . The referee had looked away just as Ford threw it and it hit him. I would say that as a previous poster commented Ford usually brought the ball back to give it to the other team, so the throw was a bit uncharacteristic. There was nearly a riot on the rterraces due to the booking, the first in a long career. True gent was Ford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dsjambo Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 One of my heroes as a kid, a brilliant player for us, can’t remember this incident at all. I didn’t think he was ever booked, he just got on with the game even when he was being kicked all over the pitch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Treasurer Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 My recollection is that it was against Clyde in the cup. There was quite an outcry about it at the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott herbertson Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 Just now, The Treasurer said: My recollection is that it was against Clyde in the cup. There was quite an outcry about it at the time Both of us wrong (credit to Hearts Heritage who posted this) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Treasurer Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 Auld age doesn’t do the memory any favours 😢 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmaroon Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 29 minutes ago, EIEIO said: He was booked but it was rescinded on appeal. Correct! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musemic Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 (edited) Your old man is spot on. It was such an odd thing to happen that it has lived long in this old man's memory Edited April 13 by Musemic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxy Hearts Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 I loved Donald Ford as a kid. He was a shining light during a poor time for our club. Don't remember the incident but DF was an intelligent gent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Findlay Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 57 minutes ago, The Treasurer said: My recollection is that it was against Clyde in the cup. There was quite an outcry about it at the time He went in goal against Clyde in the Cup when Cruikie, I think went off injured. We won 3-1 and I think Donald has scored before going in goal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryheart Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 I remember it well. The match was at home to Partick Thistle on 18 December 1971. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leginten Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 Ford had had a very frustrating afternoon and allowed the frustration to boil over when he bowled the ball back at the referee after being called offside. It was a gusty afternoon and the wind caught the ball to exaggerate the pace. He was rightly booked in my view, for the only time in his career. A marvellous sportsman. His reputation counted in his favour when it came to the appeal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PortyBeach Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 My Dad told me that the great Tommy Walker was never cautioned by a referee. In my era, Donald Ford seemed to emulate my Dad’s hero with his professional and sportsmanlike attitude towards the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Libertarian Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 1 hour ago, scott herbertson said: I was there. My recollection was that he was indeed booked for throwing it back at the referee (may have been a texaco game vs Airdrie or Motherwell I think) . The referee had looked away just as Ford threw it and it hit him. I would say that as a previous poster commented Ford usually brought the ball back to give it to the other team, so the throw was a bit uncharacteristic. There was nearly a riot on the rterraces due to the booking, the first in a long career. True gent was Ford I'm sure it was a Saturday afternoon league game and if my memory serves me correctly it may have been a game against Partick Thistle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie White Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 Yes I remember the incident on that day. Also in the current edition of Backpass Magazine there is a 2 page interview with Donald. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott herbertson Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 5 minutes ago, Libertarian said: I'm sure it was a Saturday afternoon league game and if my memory serves me correctly it may have been a game against Partick Thistle See the article above. You are correct - it was this game (London Hearts even notes the time of the yellow card): https://www.londonhearts.com/scores/games/197112181.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertDawg Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 2 hours ago, thegreatsd said: Today at the game me and my Dad were blethering with another gentleman. The subject turned to Donald Ford and the gentleman said that Ford never got booked for us but my Dad reckoned he got booked bizarrely for bowling the ball overhand to the referee after a free kick had been awarded. I’m way too young at a mere 48 years old to help out! Anybody else able to shed light on who got this right? Your Dad is correct. I was at the game too. It was really windy day and Ford was throwing the ball to the ref after he blew for a free kick. The wind caught the ball and nearly bowled the ref over. Typical Scottish ref got it all wrong and booked Donald Ford for deliberately throwing the ball at him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Treasurer Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 1 hour ago, John Findlay said: He went in goal against Clyde in the Cup when Cruikie, I think went off injured. We won 3-1 and I think Donald has scored before going in goal. I knew there was a story involving Ford, Clyde and the Scottish Cup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllyjamboDerbyshire Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 2 hours ago, EIEIO said: He was booked but it was rescinded on appeal. Correct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munro9 Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 I always thought he’d never been booked! My first Hearts hero 🇱🇻🇱🇻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon simpson Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 Donald Ford the greatest Jambo of all time by far ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4marsbars Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 Remember it well. Another ingredient was the high wind (like today). A sudden gust got behind the ball which fairly skelped the ref, which made him think Donald had thrown the ball at him, not to him. And yes, he won his appeal and was never booked. A one-off, gentleman footballer. Pity he played in quite a poor team. He merited better team-mates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Striker Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 We should never forget Donald's role in advising the original FoH guys (Alex Mackie etc) on a workable model to rescue & sustain our club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ming the merciless Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 All time favourite Hearts player. Gentlemen and total legend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobbofordGHC Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 Hopefully Donald is given some further appreciation as part of our 150 celebrations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pieandbovril Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 I'm of a vintage that I was at the game. Still remember the injustice of the booking. Does anyone remember Donald Ford being in a car crash in the early seventies? I remember sending him a get well soon card when he was in hospital. He also, as well as being a good cricketer, was a great landscape photographer - I've got his book of photos of Scottish landscapes - signed by the great man. He had a photography shop at South Queensferry. (Apologies if this has been covered already). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pap Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 Off but on topic, but i remember watching a Rangers game and the referee dropped his yellow card and didnt notice. Gazza picked it up and shouted over to him. As he was going over to give him it, he jokingly raised the card as to book the ref. The ref took the card and immediately booked Gazza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAlim Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 Donald Ford is one of the great unsung heroes in the history of Heart of Midlothian. He very rarely says a great deal but you see his name attached to things like the 500 club, the protests against the Robinson Murrayfield fiasco and the early days of the FOH and there’s a degree of safety in the knowledge that he is involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canscot Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 7 hours ago, EIEIO said: He was booked but it was rescinded on appeal. This! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertDawg Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 2 hours ago, BigAlim said: Donald Ford is one of the great unsung heroes in the history of Heart of Midlothian. He very rarely says a great deal but you see his name attached to things like the 500 club, the protests against the Robinson Murrayfield fiasco and the early days of the FOH and there’s a degree of safety in the knowledge that he is involved. There were strong rumours in the mid-sixties that Celtic had told the Hearts' board to "name their price" for Donald Ford but he refused to go. "Playing for a different club than Hearts," meant nothing for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbojambo Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 6 hours ago, RobbofordGHC said: Hopefully Donald is given some further appreciation as part of our 150 celebrations. He's back in 3 weeks https://www.heartsfc.co.uk/blogs/news/once-a-jambo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Potter Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 11 hours ago, John Findlay said: He went in goal against Clyde in the Cup when Cruikie, I think went off injured. We won 3-1 and I think Donald has scored before going in goal. Was at that game, Donald looked so little between the posts😕, cant remember the booking tbh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XB52 Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 (edited) 13 hours ago, thegreatsd said: Today at the game me and my Dad were blethering with another gentleman. The subject turned to Donald Ford and the gentleman said that Ford never got booked for us but my Dad reckoned he got booked bizarrely for bowling the ball overhand to the referee after a free kick had been awarded. I’m way too young at a mere 48 years old to help out! Anybody else able to shed light on who got this right? Was at the game. A foul was wrongly awarded against Donald and he was then booked after throwing the ball to the referee. Note it was TO not AT the ref. He always returned the ball as he was a true gentleman; the booking was a total joke Edited April 14 by XB52 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Findlay Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 7 hours ago, BigAlim said: Donald Ford is one of the great unsung heroes in the history of Heart of Midlothian. He very rarely says a great deal but you see his name attached to things like the 500 club, the protests against the Robinson Murrayfield fiasco and the early days of the FOH and there’s a degree of safety in the knowledge that he is involved. He is indeed. He is also a very intelligent and modest man too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobbofordGHC Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 2 hours ago, jimbojambo said: He's back in 3 weeks https://www.heartsfc.co.uk/blogs/news/once-a-jambo Thanks, that sounds like an entertaining night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkishcap Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 14 hours ago, henryheart said: I remember it well. The match was at home to Partick Thistle on 18 December 1971. Yep, sure wind carried the ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirwalter Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 14 hours ago, leginten said: Ford had had a very frustrating afternoon and allowed the frustration to boil over when he bowled the ball back at the referee after being called offside. It was a gusty afternoon and the wind caught the ball to exaggerate the pace. He was rightly booked in my view, for the only time in his career. A marvellous sportsman. His reputation counted in his favour when it came to the appeal. This is as I recall it. "Boil over" is perhaps a little strong but normally phlegmatic Ford did lose a little of his customary cool and there was an element of dissent in his actions and attitude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leginten Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 9 minutes ago, sirwalter said: This is as I recall it. "Boil over" is perhaps a little strong but normally phlegmatic Ford did lose a little of his customary cool and there was an element of dissent in his actions and attitude. Agreed. You’ve phrased it much better than I did. “Element of dissent” is perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott herbertson Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 27 minutes ago, sirwalter said: This is as I recall it. "Boil over" is perhaps a little strong but normally phlegmatic Ford did lose a little of his customary cool and there was an element of dissent in his actions and attitude. Also my memory of it. I am sure he didn't aim to hit the referee - just chucked the ball back in his direction, which in itself was not characteristic. The referee had previously given a very bad decision against us IIRC. Nothing ever changes.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrawleyJambo Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 I think DF also studied to become a Charteredaccountant, when he was initially at Hearts and played as an amateur for a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbojambo Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 3 hours ago, CrawleyJambo said: I think DF also studied to become a Charteredaccountant, when he was initially at Hearts and played as an amateur for a bit He scored 5 goals against Kilmarnock in a no offside trial game as an amateur in 1965. Also played cricket for Scotland. Should have been given game time at the 1974 World Cup before an over the hill Denis Law. It will be great to see him in May. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemclaren Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 27 minutes ago, jimbojambo said: He scored 5 goals against Kilmarnock in a no offside trial game as an amateur in 1965. Also played cricket for Scotland. Should have been given game time at the 1974 World Cup before an over the hill Denis Law. It will be great to see him in May. Hard to believe that World Cup was 50 years ago. Donald should definitely have played. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whyskey Posted April 14 Share Posted April 14 21 hours ago, EIEIO said: He was booked but it was rescinded on appeal. true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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