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John Colquhoun visits North Berwick Sporting Memories

(Article written by Colin Mackay, Volunteer at North Berwick) 

North Berwick Sporting Memories recently welcomed former Hearts and Scotland footballer John Colquhoun and what an entertaining and enjoyable session it was! 

Brought up in Stirling, John became an apprentice painter and decorator as soon as he left school but to say that he was not inspired to become a professional painter was something of an understatement, so when he got a chance to sign for his local team Stirling Albion, he ditched painting and decorating forever.? 

After three years in Stirling, John fulfilled his boyhood dream of playing for Celtic, and although he got an early chance to play for the first team (including a derby match against Rangers) first team opportunities were hard to come by in a very strong Celtic side that included players like Paul McStay, Brian McClair and Davie Provan. 

However, in 1985 he got the chance to sign for Hearts where he played for six years and appeared in over 230 matches including two Scottish Cup finals and the final league match of 1986!? 

Hearts fans still feel the pain of losing the last match of the season to miss out on winning the league and John told the group how much the pain of that match affected the players, as he spent time reflecting on the joys and sorrows of a football career. 

After short periods in England with Millwall and Sunderland, John rejoined Hearts two years later and played another 114 matches before ending his career with St Johnstone in 1997. 

Shortly after retiring from football, John was elected Rector of Edinburgh University for three years which he admitted first terrified him, especially when he had to chair the University Court only days after his election. However, he told the group that he learned a great deal in his role as rector, and eventually enjoyed the experience which he took forward into his later careers as a football agent, TV football pundit and journalist. 

John always had a love for North Berwick, permanently moving there over thirteen years ago, and he still has a fairly active lifestyle and enjoys playing golf throughout East Lothian.