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85/86 Game by Game 40 years on


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wheatfieldtosheffield
Posted

First day of season 85-86.

 

Hearts 1 (Colquhoun) Celtic 1 (McStay)

1985-08-10 Sat Hearts 1 Celtic 1

 

I was 15, we were in the North Enclosure, and I remember my Dad calling out to Jimmy Sandison during the warm up and them having a chat (Dad taught JS at school). And then John Colquhoun scoring on his debut, and holding on - until McStay equalised in injury time. Oh well, a draw against Celtic, not too bad. Little did we know that was the point that would lose us the league.

 

 

 

 

Thinking historically - that was 40 years ago today. 40 years to the day before that game - the Second World War hadn't ended yet. The bomb had dropped on Nagasaki the day before and Japan was about to surrender. So anyone who was at the game and aged 55 then - that was their memory of being a 15-year old 40 years before.

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Percival King
Posted
2 hours ago, wheatfieldtosheffield said:

First day of season 85-86.

 

Hearts 1 (Colquhoun) Celtic 1 (McStay)

1985-08-10 Sat Hearts 1 Celtic 1

 

I was 15, we were in the North Enclosure, and I remember my Dad calling out to Jimmy Sandison during the warm up and them having a chat (Dad taught JS at school). And then John Colquhoun scoring on his debut, and holding on - until McStay equalised in injury time. Oh well, a draw against Celtic, not too bad. Little did we know that was the point that would lose us the league.

 

 

 

 

Thinking historically - that was 40 years ago today. 40 years to the day before that game - the Second World War hadn't ended yet. The bomb had dropped on Nagasaki the day before and Japan was about to surrender. So anyone who was at the game and aged 55 then - that was their memory of being a 15-year old 40 years before.

And 40 years from today you'll be 95, I'll be 96, and if we're still here we'll still be reminiscing about a season 80 years previous. Then again......

Libertarian
Posted

I'm sure that was John Colqhoun's first game for Hearts after signing from Celtic. 

Victorian
Posted

I was there behind the goals and still have a vague memory of them picking our pocket at the end.   The other home match versus them was similar.   Hearts ahead and Celtic equalised,  roughly 68mins by Mark McGhee I think.

 

Some season for stats.

 

Unbeaten vs Celtic.

4 wins vs Rangers (inc cup).

Won at Celtic Park,  Ibrox,  Pittodrie,  Tannadice,  Easter Road.

 

Could not win at Kilbowie or Dens Park.  2 points from 4 matches.

 

 

Robbo-Jambo
Posted

Could not believe it when the ball seemed to spin slowly over our line for their last minute goal.

 

Little did we know what was coming that season 😏.

 

Lucky ********

Jambo69-5-1
Posted
6 minutes ago, Robbo-Jambo said:

Could not believe it when the ball seemed to spin slowly over our line for their last minute goal.

 

Little did we know what was coming that season 😏.

 

Lucky ********

And off the post, I was absolutely gutted,we were brilliant that day I remember going home telling my dad we were going to win the league! Grrrr!

davemclaren
Posted
3 hours ago, wheatfieldtosheffield said:

First day of season 85-86.

 

Hearts 1 (Colquhoun) Celtic 1 (McStay)

1985-08-10 Sat Hearts 1 Celtic 1

 

I was 15, we were in the North Enclosure, and I remember my Dad calling out to Jimmy Sandison during the warm up and them having a chat (Dad taught JS at school). And then John Colquhoun scoring on his debut, and holding on - until McStay equalised in injury time. Oh well, a draw against Celtic, not too bad. Little did we know that was the point that would lose us the league.

 

 

 

 

Thinking historically - that was 40 years ago today. 40 years to the day before that game - the Second World War hadn't ended yet. The bomb had dropped on Nagasaki the day before and Japan was about to surrender. So anyone who was at the game and aged 55 then - that was their memory of being a 15-year old 40 years before.

I tend to think of events in the context of your last paragraph.  Then I think about the fact that people my age now the year I was born were born in the 1880s. 🥴

davemclaren
Posted
54 minutes ago, Libertarian said:

I'm sure that was John Colqhoun's first game for Hearts after signing from Celtic. 

It was.  He was brilliant. 

4marsbars
Posted

We're going to have a lot of these '40 years ago' reminders this season.

 

Just a pity that the TV companies' dispute (cannot remember the details) meant that most of these games were not televised (until March, from memory).

 

dc-jambo
Posted

Drove up from London on my mini and parked on London Road. Low expectations. WHAT A DAY 👏

wheatfieldtosheffield
Posted

Second game of season 85-86.

17th August 1985

 

St Mirren 6 (Spiers, Godfrey, McGarvey [boo], Fitzpatrick, Clarke [now Scotland manager], Rooney) Hearts 2 (Colquhoun, Robertson)

https://londonhearts.com/scores/games/198508171.html

 

Puts us second bottom of the table.

So, the season is going to be a battle against relegation. Well, we had only been back in the top division since 1983.

wheatfieldtosheffield
Posted

Mods - can you please change the thread title to "40 years ago today"

EH11_2NL
Posted
On 10/08/2025 at 08:10, wheatfieldtosheffield said:

First day of season 85-86.

 

Hearts 1 (Colquhoun) Celtic 1 (McStay)

1985-08-10 Sat Hearts 1 Celtic 1

 

I was 15, we were in the North Enclosure, and I remember my Dad calling out to Jimmy Sandison during the warm up and them having a chat (Dad taught JS at school). And then John Colquhoun scoring on his debut, and holding on - until McStay equalised in injury time. Oh well, a draw against Celtic, not too bad. Little did we know that was the point that would lose us the league.

 

 

 

 

Thinking historically - that was 40 years ago today. 40 years to the day before that game - the Second World War hadn't ended yet. The bomb had dropped on Nagasaki the day before and Japan was about to surrender. So anyone who was at the game and aged 55 then - that was their memory of being a 15-year old 40 years before.

Not murdering Clydebank cost us the league. And St Liedown taking it dry up the Gary didn't help. 

jager man
Posted
3 hours ago, wheatfieldtosheffield said:

Second game of season 85-86.

17th August 1985

 

St Mirren 6 (Spiers, Godfrey, McGarvey [boo], Fitzpatrick, Clarke [now Scotland manager], Rooney) Hearts 2 (Colquhoun, Robertson)

https://londonhearts.com/scores/games/198508171.html

 

Puts us second bottom of the table.

So, the season is going to be a battle against relegation. Well, we had only been back in the top division since 1983.

Can you imagine the pant wetters after this result.🙉

Posted

The OP immediately had me thinking of this goal a couple of years later.  I was sitting with my Dad in the North enclosure and had a perfect view from behind the shot.    Both of us were normally in the school end and I can’t remember why we ended up in the enclosure that day?    
 

I remember looking over at the bedlam in the crazy corner during the celebration.  
 

Limbs everywhere. 

 

 

wheatfieldtosheffield
Posted

20th August 1985

Montrose 1 (Sheran) Hearts 3 (Kidd, Robertson, Colquhoun)

 

1985-08-20 Tue Montrose 1 Hearts 3

 

I honestly don't remember this game. League Cup, meh.

 

Rare to see a goal from Zico, and JC has just scored in each of his first 3 competitive games for the club.

Carl Fredrickson
Posted

I was 15 and it was my first Hearts game going on my own without any older brothers taking me. I arrived way too early (didnt know bus times etc). Watched the players arrive - made their own way and no away team bus. Chatted with Tommy Burns for ages before he went in (left a positive impression on me of a nice guy). 

 

My memory was  sunny day, in the school end near the Shed and we played very attacking. Gutted at the last minute goal but optimistic at getting a point. The next few games were murder and IIRC the away game v Clydebank was Doddies last game for us (think he came on as a sub). 

 

A great season to start going home and away on my own to games. 

TexasAndy
Posted

My mate and I were spotted by the TV cameras at Love Street walking out with our heads down after that 6-2 loss.  At that moment any suggestion of a title challenge was preposterous at best.  It just shows that we never really know what's around the corner.

No Idle Talk
Posted (edited)

Me and my dad were sat in the main stand for this one. In the half closest to the Celtic fans. All I can really remember about the game is that damn last gap equaliser. McStay's shot not being cleanly struck and having weird spin on it, it hitting the post and trundling along the line and agonisingly in. Then the Celtic fans celebrating. 

 

Ugh. 

 

 

Edited by No Idle Talk
colinmaroon
Posted
On 10/08/2025 at 11:02, Robbo-Jambo said:

Could not believe it when the ball seemed to spin slowly over our line for their last minute goal.

 

Little did we know what was coming that season 😏.

 

Lucky ********

 

4th minute of injury time.

 

 

Henroddy
Posted

11 Scotsmen in starting team. Won't see that again. Also a couple of fringe players. Shows it was a proper squad 

gasbottle2
Posted

McNeil said JCs goal was a fluke 🤦🏼‍♂️

Ricardo Quaresma
Posted

 

It's on this, classic wee snippet

 

Thankfully cuts off abruptly before their fluke :smuggy:

Jamhammer
Posted

Though the last couple of weeks were dreadful what a great season to be a JT

Posted
21 hours ago, wheatfieldtosheffield said:

20th August 1985

Montrose 1 (Sheran) Hearts 3 (Kidd, Robertson, Colquhoun)

 

1985-08-20 Tue Montrose 1 Hearts 3

 

I honestly don't remember this game. League Cup, meh.

 

Rare to see a goal from Zico, and JC has just scored in each of his first 3 competitive games for the club.

It was pouring with rain at that game. Pretty sure it would be abandoned nowadays. Can remember a Hearts fan being arrested and it took about three police officers to get him to his feet as they were all splashing about in a puddle at the side of the pitch😀. Montrose got their revenge by knocking us out the League Cup one year later. Our League Cup woes are not new. 

HEARTS FOREVER
Posted

I was at the game, Celtic were so fortunate, sure the ball went in off the post at the death IIRC, I would have been 11. Had been to the South Queensferry Gala pre match I’m sure . 

Posted
5 hours ago, Ricardo Quaresma said:

 

It's on this, classic wee snippet

 

Thankfully cuts off abruptly before their fluke :smuggy:

Great wee video that 👍🏻

wheatfieldtosheffield
Posted

*REQUEST TO MODS*

can we please change the topic title to "40 years ago - on this day in season 85-86"?

wheatfieldtosheffield
Posted
23 hours ago, Henroddy said:

11 Scotsmen in starting team. Won't see that again. Also a couple of fringe players. Shows it was a proper squad 

I always though Wayne Wayne Super Wayne Super Wayne Foster (signed summer 1986) was the first non-Scottish player I saw play for Hearts (Roald Jensen was before my time), but London Hearts suggests it might have been Paul Cherry

wheatfieldtosheffield
Posted

40 years ago today - 24th August 1985

Rangers 3 (Burns, Williamson, Williamson) Hearts 1 (Robertson)

 

1985-08-24 Sat Rangers 3 Hearts 1

 

This was not feeling like it would be a good season. Zico and Sandy Clark both sent off.

 

 

Interesting to see how many of that Rangers team would go on to appear for Hearts - Nicky Walker (1990-94), Hugh Burns (1987-88), Dave McPherson(1987-92, 1994-99), Iain Bayern Ferguson (1988-90), Ally McCoist (1996)

wheatfieldtosheffield
Posted

40 years ago today - 27th August 1985

Hearts 2 (McNaughton, Cherry) Stirling Albion 1 (Maxwell) AET

 

1985-08-27 Tue Hearts 2 Stirling Albion 1

 

League Cup. Crowd of 4,479. Think I might have been there, sat on the maroon and white benches, but maybe not.

 

davemclaren
Posted
1 hour ago, wheatfieldtosheffield said:

40 years ago today - 27th August 1985

Hearts 2 (McNaughton, Cherry) Stirling Albion 1 (Maxwell) AET

 

1985-08-27 Tue Hearts 2 Stirling Albion 1

 

League Cup. Crowd of 4,479. Think I might have been there, sat on the maroon and white benches, but maybe not.

 

Stirling Albion goal scored by an ex Hearts player.  

joondalupjambo
Posted

My wife was there, went with her Tic pal.  Sat in the Celtic lower stand with her Hearts scarf on oblivious to the world.  She had no idea but still says, apart from a couple of rude barbs the folk round her were not bothered.  Changed days eh.

wheatfieldtosheffield
Posted

Continuing the 85-86 journey

 

40 years ago today - 31st August 1985

 

Hearts 2 (Clark, Colquhoun) Hibs 1 (Durie)

https://londonhearts.com/scores//games/198508311.html

 

That's more like it! Move up to 7th in the league, Hibs are bottom with no points!

 

 

1985083106.jpg

theAlvasection
Posted
On 27/08/2025 at 09:29, wheatfieldtosheffield said:

40 years ago today - 27th August 1985

Hearts 2 (McNaughton, Cherry) Stirling Albion 1 (Maxwell) AET

 

1985-08-27 Tue Hearts 2 Stirling Albion 1

 

League Cup. Crowd of 4,479. Think I might have been there, sat on the maroon and white benches, but maybe not.

 

My first League Cup game this.

pettigrewsstylist
Posted

Was there. Little did we know!

theAlvasection
Posted

The best year of my Hearts supporting life even if it ended in a bad way.

dannymack
Posted
On 27/08/2025 at 10:34, davemclaren said:

Stirling Albion goal scored by an ex Hearts player.  

 

Screenshot_20250831_114312_Gallery.thumb.jpg.796463cd7e22585ac6b53fe8f91e1202.jpg

 

Screenshot_20250831_114359_Gallery.thumb.jpg.235de4c9620a05cc89fa26950c1d00fd.jpg

 

Screenshot_20250831_114454_Gallery.thumb.jpg.79850f6610e161271d38c12bf5959113.jpg

davemclaren
Posted
22 minutes ago, dannymack said:

 

Screenshot_20250831_114312_Gallery.thumb.jpg.796463cd7e22585ac6b53fe8f91e1202.jpg

 

Screenshot_20250831_114359_Gallery.thumb.jpg.235de4c9620a05cc89fa26950c1d00fd.jpg

 

Screenshot_20250831_114454_Gallery.thumb.jpg.79850f6610e161271d38c12bf5959113.jpg

👍

J Cheever Loophole
Posted

That’s the day my Uncle got us up at 6am to tell us my gran had died. I still went to the game, taking my youngest brother out of the way. One of those days I’ll never forget.

wheatfieldtosheffield
Posted

40 years ago today - 4th September 1985

 

Aberdeen 1 (Black) Hearts 0

 

1985-09-04 Wed Aberdeen 1 Hearts 0

 

knocked out the league cup. This season doesn't feel like it is going anywhere.

cookieboy
Posted
On 27/08/2025 at 10:34, davemclaren said:

Stirling Albion goal scored by an ex Hearts player.  

 

On 31/08/2025 at 11:48, dannymack said:

 

Screenshot_20250831_114312_Gallery.thumb.jpg.796463cd7e22585ac6b53fe8f91e1202.jpg

 

Screenshot_20250831_114359_Gallery.thumb.jpg.235de4c9620a05cc89fa26950c1d00fd.jpg

 

Screenshot_20250831_114454_Gallery.thumb.jpg.79850f6610e161271d38c12bf5959113.jpg

and got man of the match , he doesn't like to talk about it :lol:

south morocco
Posted

Was at that game with my dad and uncle after finishing my paper round as a 15 year old. Was gutted when they scored the equaliser. Little did we know.

wheatfieldtosheffield
Posted

40 years ago today - 7th September 1985

 

Aberdeen 3 (Stark, Wright, Black) Hearts 0

 

1985-09-07 Sat Aberdeen 3 Hearts 0 

 

15-year old me wasn't there.  Weak line up - no Kidd, Berry, Mackay, Clark or Robertson. 8th in a league of 10 after 5 games (2 teams to be relegated), this was not going to be a good season.

the posh bit
Posted
4 hours ago, wheatfieldtosheffield said:

40 years ago today - 7th September 1985

 

Aberdeen 3 (Stark, Wright, Black) Hearts 0

 

1985-09-07 Sat Aberdeen 3 Hearts 0 

 

15-year old me wasn't there.  Weak line up - no Kidd, Berry, Mackay, Clark or Robertson. 8th in a league of 10 after 5 games (2 teams to be relegated), this was not going to be a good season.

 

Wasn't that an away game up there where they shut the away end due to stadium work? I think they did it twice to us that season, the other being the league cup tie.

cookieboy
Posted
4 minutes ago, the posh bit said:

 

Wasn't that an away game up there where they shut the away end due to stadium work? I think they did it twice to us that season, the other being the league cup tie.

which is this wednesday iirc 

theAlvasection
Posted
On 31/08/2025 at 12:40, J Cheever Loophole said:

That’s the day my Uncle got us up at 6am to tell us my gran had died. I still went to the game, taking my youngest brother out of the way. One of those days I’ll never forget.

Never forget it either brer ❤️

dannymack
Posted
1 hour ago, the posh bit said:

 

Wasn't that an away game up there where they shut the away end due to stadium work? I think they did it twice to us that season, the other being the league cup tie.

 

Correct, Skol Cup midweek and the league game on the Saturday, both games defeated 1-0 then 3-0 as already stated. 

 

The Paddock End was going through a refurbishment and im sure Aberdeen offered Hearts a couple of hundred tickets but AWM told The Dandies to ram them. 

 

A few Hearts fans still went up and got home end tickets.

dannymack
Posted
On 05/09/2025 at 20:03, cookieboy said:

 

and got man of the match , he doesn't like to talk about it :lol:

 

To this day ? 🙈🤣

cookieboy
Posted
3 hours ago, dannymack said:

 

To this day ? 🙈🤣

aye haha . great guy is Scott

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