My footballing days really began with a YMCA team in Edinburgh and from there I moved on to local Merchiston Thistle as an inside-left. Called up for the RAF, I was posted to Kinloss in the North of Scotland and it was there, while guesting with a Highland League side, that David Halliday, then with Aberdeen and now Leicester manager, asked me to join his club. I had been playing on the wing in the match he watched, and so at 19 was signed for this position.

I managed to travel for a lot of matches, although it took me about four hours on the train for home games. It was quite from the class of soccer in which I had been competing. Training alone at the camp was not the best preparation for League games, but I was so delighted at my unexpected move to Aberdeen that I worked really hard and felt I was beginning to make some headway in the game.

When I was demobbed, I had to be content with a reserve place and eventually went on loan to St.Johnstone. I was glad of the move because there were three ex-Aberdeen lads in the side and it gave me the chance to branch out as a fully-fledged first teamer. Luck turned for me at this point and I began to do well, prompted by two very fine wing halves in Ernie Ewan and Archie Baird, who were the hub of our team.

It was a Tuesday morning in March 1955 when I put in a transfer request to Aberdeen. I had been in hospital with glandular fever and lost my place to Graham Leggatt, but when he was injured I was not recalled to the senior team. After five weeks without a game, I decided that if I wanted to make soccer my future, it lay in some other direction. Where did I want to go? Frankly, I did not really mind. Mad keen on the game, I only wanted to be playing regularly with a useful side. So in went my letter � "Please can I have a move."

I had heard that transfer requests often dragged out as directors and managements of clubs took time to make up their minds. Consequently, I did not expect to hear anything for quite a time. Next morning I reported for training and had just got onto the pitch when the trainer sent for me and said I was wanted in the office. There was Alan Brown, manager of Burnley, who had travelled overnight from England. Apparently about six clubs, including Clyde and East Fife, were interested in me as well. However, the fact that Mr Brown was on the spot and ready to complete the move was the deciding factor. I was not willing to risk any drawn-out negotiations and the thought of being on the payroll of a new club in a matter of minutes decided me.

I was soon Burnley bound and got a league game before the season ended. Billy Gray, who is now with Nottingham Forest, fell sick, so into the First Division I stepped. It was a different type of game to that I had played in previously. There was more ball play and certainly a lot of positional movements with opponents aiming to cut out passes wherever possible. It was a pretty good start because we beat Bolton 1-0, but I still went back to the reserves for the start of the next season.

In 1955-56, I got ten first-team matches and scored my first two goals in English soccer. One was against Sunderland when we won 4-0, and the other in a 5-0 win over Chelsea. The next season, we really began to have hopes of paying Wembley a visit. By now, I was established as first choice and delighting in the pure style of football played by Burnley. I am not really big enough to start �mixing it� with opponents and in any case do not want to do so. My aim has always been to play the game skilfully � otherwise it ceases to be a great sport.

Burnley players have always had this point hammered home to them. Mr Brown was a fine manager to be under. A good coach, he could show you what he wanted and time and again told us that "good football must bring rewards." When he left, this idea was continued at Turf Moor.

So to 1956-57 and our dreams of a Cup medal. We started with a fortunate home tie. In the first match we faced Third Division club Chesterfield and won 7-0. Our new young leader Ian Lawson had a great time and when we drew New Brighton in the next round, at home, everything looked rosy. Many big clubs do not like to face little teams, especially away from home. Small compact grounds, so different to those we normally use, can upset all plans. But there was no reason for us to worry about meeting the non-league team and we won 9-0.

Next we faced up to Huddersfield Town and were a goal down at half time. Mr Brown came into the dressing room and said, "Keep on playing as you are and you�ll win through." Well I do recall the second half because I had a hand in both our goals. I combined with Jimmy McIlroy and the ball went on to Albert Cheeseborough, who smacked in a terrific drive to equalise. Later, Bobby Seith sent me a long through ball; I chased it and turned it across for Ian Lawson to put us into the last eight.

Aston Villa at Turf Moor was our next hurdle, but one we thought we could overcome. An early goal gave us the advantage we held on to almost to the end. You may recall how Peter McParland got the two goals in the Final to win the Cup for Villa. Well, he was also the man who got an unexpected equaliser against us in the last seconds. Our dreams were crushed by a 2-0 defeat at Villa Park in the replay.

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