An Omission Sorted, An Overlooked Talent Recognised - But, A What The F*** As Well

HALLS OF FAME are a North American creation; began, I have always reckoned, because Canada and the USA don't have lengthy-enough histories that they don't require to create some.

 New SFHoF inudctees Jim Craig and John Clark - about time too

Any way, the Scottish Football Hall of Fame held its fourteenth induction dinner at Hampden last night, at which the latest eight inductees were ushered in. These newcomers were: John Clark, Jim Craig and Willie Wallace, Allan McGraw, John McGovern, Archie Macpherson, the Lisbon Lions and the Queen's Park XI of 1883-84.

I have been running for a year or two, an almost one-man campaign to have Clark, Craig and Wallace, the three Lisbon Lions not previously inducted, introduced into the Hall of Fame, so, I am chuffed that the induction committee has finally seen sense. Mind you, a double induction, since they also went in as members of the Lions, seems a bit excessive for one year, even the 50^th anniversary.

To go off on a tangent, next year is the 90^th anniversary of the original Wembley Wizards, maybe I should be pushing harder in my still-running campaign to have the presently uninducted Wizards inducted – plus the team as a whole.

No complaints about the wonderful Allan McGraw, one of nature's true gentlemen, inducted, thoroughly deserved, as is the induction of wee John McGovern, Brian Clough's captain in the glory days of Nottingham Forest – but, the Queen's Park team of 1883-84, what the Hell is all that about?

 John McGovern - an often-overlooked talent

Inventing Sevens got Melrose RFC into World Rugby's Hall of Fame, by similar credentials, Queen's Park FC ought to have been founder inductees of the Scottish Football Hall of Fame, because, without Queen's Park, there wouldn't be Scottish Football. By all means, however belatedly, induct Queen's Park, but, why this particular team?

They didn't even win the Scottish Cup that season, they were awarded it, because opponents Vale of Leven didn't turn up for the final. No, that one has me baffled.

But, there again, sadly, since it was first mooted, the induction process has to me been a case of certain well-known journalists on the panel pushing favourites and friends. And, I can think of no other reason for Archie Macpherson's induction other than the old pals act.

Sorry, but, I have never “got” Archie. I never rated him as a commentator or analyst – he was never in David Francey's or Bob Crampsey's class. And there, straight away, you have all that's wrong with the old pals act which is so-much part of the induction process.

Archie Macpherson is IN, Arthur Montford ISN'T, and, even-more scandalously, Bob Crampsey IS NOT A MEMBER!!

Archie Macpherson inducted before Bob Crampsey - shakes head sadly

There are other scandalous omissions – where is Alex Jackson, hat-trick hero of the Wembley Wizards, or his skipper that day, Jimmy McMullan. Sir George Graham ran Scottish football for years, he deserves to be in. There are no representatives of Junior football, the heart beat of the game in Scotland – where is the legend that is Willie Knox? What does Andy Roxburgh need to do to get in?

The induction committee's knowledge of the Victorian era, when Scotland was the best team in the, admittedly a lot-smaller football world shames them. My own bette noirs from that era is the failure to recognise the great Rangers captain Tom Vallance and Dr John Smith, from Mauchline, prolific goal scorer and then, a member of the first British Lions rugby team to tour, or, from the Edwardian era, those magnificent Scottish captains, Charlie Thomson of Hearts and Alec Raisbeck of Liverpool.

An induction committee that can induct Archie Macpherson before any of these giants – well, that just sums up the lack of intelligence around Hampden Park and the ranks of the SFWA.

MEANWHILE, I am delighted to see Stevie Clarke installed as the new Kilmarnock boss. He brings great experience to the role, superb coaching credentials and great contacts in England.

 Stevie Clarke - I'm so excited with anticipation

Stevie is an Ayrshire boy, his brother was a great Kilmarnock servant, what's not to like for us poor benighted Killie fans. Dare we to dream that this is maybe another Willie Waddell arriving at Rugby Park? No, let's not burden Stevie with over-arching expectations. He faces an arduous task in turning the team round, however, Paul McDonald handed him the perfect foundation with that win on Saturday – now, hopefully, it is onwards and upwards.

Let's hope too, the crowds will go up, and the fans, who for two long, and not without some justification, have been over-critical, start to really support Killie.

THE NEW FIFA rankings were released this morning, and what do you know – Scotland, the nation which sacked its team manager, because the governing body's governors thought the team required new impetus, has risen 14 places in the table.

Scotland is now ranked 29^th in the world, and 19^th in Europe – our highest placings for some time. What a legacy WGS has left his successor, whoever that is. But, doesn't the fact the wee man has been sacked, just as we are finally, starting to go in the right direction, sum-up how stupid the suits inside Hampden are?

You've got to laugh, otherwise, you would burst into tears.