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Photo brings back memories for Motherwell member Dan in remarkable story!

Some of the most incredible stories of sporting moments gone by have come through members of our clubs and this was true recently at our Motherwell club through one of their regular attendees, Dan McLindon.

More than a birthday surprise!

It was Dan’s birthday recently and volunteer Tom Mooney thought that it would be nice to present him with the photo of a fairly recent meeting Dan had with the legend that is Sir Alex Ferguson that he had found on the internet.

Dan was a professional footballer back in the day and is now very much the life and soul of our Motherwell Club. His professional career began when he was signed by Dunfermline Athletic FC, then managed by Jock Stein, from junior club Bellshill in 1960. McLindon was part of the Dunfermline team that won the 1961 Scottish Cup Final.

Dan does keep in touch with his old footballing connections and is still good friends with Jim Herriot (ex Scotland, Dunfermline, Birmingham City and Hibs goalkeeper) and John Martis (ex Scotland international ,Motherwell and East Fife , and manager of the latter)

The end of March was the first occasion we had to present the photo to Dan. Jim Purvis, one of Community Club Co-ordinators did his research for the presentation to see if there was any more background to be gathered. And that’s when it all came out. The photo with Sir Alex was not just a snap taken at a random occasion. It was a reminder to both of them of an event that possibly changed the course of footballing history.

Transfer saga

We have to go back to 1964. Dan was involved in a swap deal with Ferguson who was still just a player – a good one of course. Ferguson hadn't settled at St. Johnstone (despite scoring a hat-trick at Ibrox) and despite Dan being Dunfermline born and a stalwart of the Pars team he was persuaded (partly by Alex!) that he should make the move to Perth in exchange.

Dan lasted only a few months (he tells us the daily travel to Perth was a pain - no car in those days!) at St. Johnstone and by October that year had signed for Partick Thistle.

Thistle were relegated in 1970, after which McLindon left the club.

He then became player/manager of Stranraer for a year. Before moving to East Stirlingshire as a player. McLindon stayed local to Central Scotland becoming a coach and manager, working for Alloa, Cowdenbeath, East Stirlingshire, Airdrie, Motherwell and Partick Thistle.

This incredible tale was shared at the club much to amazement of our volunteers and members in attendance and all inspired through an image shared during a session!