The Invergordon Archive

Black Park (where the Distillery now is sited) was the home ground of Invergordon Football Club
when I was a boy. What is not well known is that it was here that sailors from the Home Fleet held mass meetings to vote on strike action in 1931.

Bill, do you remember a Frankie Hoy? He used to steal the football during the game, then the chase was on, didn't have a spare in those days....do you remember some of the players? Jimmy Farquhar, Davie Moir and the goalkeeper was Bill Mactaggert....also lovely aroma from the dump which was situated on the north side of the pitch....

Indeed I do remember Frankie. He sold the Football Times in the High Street every Saturday night. I think my father was quite kind to Frankie as he used to give him little jobs to do and give him pocket money. I used to find him a bit scary myself but I guess that was unwarranted. At least he remained in the community and was not put away somewhere. He was mad about football and never missed Invergordon home matches. He used to be in the shed while the players got ready for games and the standing joke was - "Frank, have you remembered to bring the Penalty Box with you? Do you remember how Bill MacTaggert would always shout MINE! when the ball came his way- quite often as it simultaneously hit the back of the net!
I once decided to explore the dump and as I tramped over the top of the smouldering garbage I sunk up to my knees in red hot ashes - I had trouble explaining to my mother why my legs were so burnt...

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