Partick Thistle's 1993 Tennent's Sixes heroes have criticised the decision not to allow the holders to defend the trophy at this year's edition. Goalkeeper Andy Murdoch and player of the tournament Davie Irons have branded the exclusion of the Jags a "disgrace", with Murdoch saying he has a squad of Jags legends ready and willing to compete.
Event returns after 33-year hiatus
The event returns after a 33-year hiatus, taking place at Glasgow's Braehead Arena on October 2 and 3. However, Championship side Thistle will not feature, with Premiership status the criteria and Record Sport understands a 13th team would have resulted in scheduling issues with the tournament on TV.
Murdoch, who also played in the tournament with Celtic in 1990, said: "It does stick a wee bit. Thistle are the holders, way back since 1993, why not just invite Thistle? It just feels a bit off. They could have had the wee quirk because, like they did in 1993 on those two nights, Thistle fans would have attended in absolute droves."
Players react to exclusion
Irons, who was voted Player of the Tournament back in 1993, agreed, saying: "I thought it was a disgrace. It's like Spain not taking part in the next World Cup as current holders."
"Obviously it's a long time since Thistle were in it, but I just thought to have the Tennent's Sixes and not have the current holders was a bit disappointing, but that's what it is. Thistle are not in the Premiership, and that's obviously the criteria for taking part."
New trophy and legacy
The new edition will feature a new trophy, with the original silverware still having pride of place in the Firhill trophy cabinet, a decision which pleased Irons. "We've held it for long enough," he smiled. "It would've been a travesty if they took it back off us, I was recently in the director's room at Firhill and it has pride of place in the trophy room, still sitting in the cabinet. It's nice to have a bit of a legacy around the boys that played at that time. It always brings back memories."
For Murdoch, though, there's an interesting parallel with the 1993 competition as he revealed John Lambie's Thistle weren't originally meant to be invited. "In the week running up to it, Lambie told us we were in because I think Dundee pulled out, and then we get a last-minute call in. Half the players were laughing, saying, 'What's it all about?, What do we do?' All we knew was it was at the SECC and there'll be a crowd."
Former players ready
This time round, the tournament will not feature first team players, with squads instead consisting of retired players over the age of 35. Several Thistle cult legends will be donning other colours for the event, with Tomas Cerny, Gary Harkins, Paul Paton and Richard Foster all slated to appear.
In his role as head of the Partick Thistle Former Players' Association though, Murdoch says that he is ready and waiting to round up some old guns to don the red and yellow if another late pullout opens up a spot for the Jags. "We've got a really strong former players association and a bunch of guys who could absolutely put a team in there that would do a good turn. I could probably pick two different teams for Thistle that would play in the Masters. Guys like George Shaw, Ian Cameron, Paul Kinnaird could still play."
Murdoch also added that he was still in contact with the top scorer in 1993, Paul McLaughlin, who scored a hat trick in the final against Airdrie. Murdoch laughed: "All he did was just get the ball and hit it every time. It was one of these wee games where you push the head down and the leg kicks the ball as hard as it can. That thing was hurtling at you at a rate of knots.
"Weeks before the tournament, Shoot Magazine were going around the country to see who had the hardest shot. McLaughlin was chosen by us, and he was right up there. He could hit the ball with his left foot harder than anybody I'd ever seen before. I know Paul keeps himself fit. He could still have a go again."
Irons admits that he would be unlikely to feature, stating: "I'm too old. I'm 65. When it first came out, I hoped Thistle were there, and I was disappointed they weren't invited.
"It's good that Thistle are still remembered and the fact that we are holders of the official Tennent's Sixes. Now it's retired ex-players that are playing, it's not the real Sixes! Let's just qualify it as being a second-rate sixes as opposed to the one that we won."
Murdoch, 58, has no qualms about his age though. "I would go in goals, no bother," he said. "Being a goalie in the Sixes was what I would only describe as a hazard. It was a tiny wee goal, but the ball was coming fast and furious. It was almost like if you've ever been paintballing. I was bruised from head to toe, with circular bruise marks, but you know what? I loved it.
"We had guys that could keep the ball, really good footballers. We just passed the ball for fun. It was unbelievable that we won it, but we just went there and had a great time."
"I've still got my gloves. I've still got knee pads. I don't have any problems with my knees or my hips or anything and stayed away from major injuries so if Thistle get back in and they look for a goalie, I'm your boy."
The SPFL Tennent's Sixes takes place at the Braehead Arena on Saturday, October 3, and Sunday, October 4. Tickets for afternoon and evening sessions are available via spfltennentssixes.co.uk.
