Ronnie and George Were Our Guests

Cup winning captain Ron Mailer talked to Jim Leishman

1961 Scottish Cup winners Ron Mailer (left) and George Peebles

It was lovely to see two of our greatest heroes George Peebles and Ron Mailer as guests in the Kingdom Suite on the day of the Airdrie match.  Prompted by Jim Leishman, they both told tales of the great Jock Stein era at East End Park.

When Ron gave up football he went into the family joinery business back home in Auchterarder, and he stayed with it for the rest of his working days. And as he told Bob Storie, he still keeps active:

"I'd played a bit of golf when I was a player here, so I got more serious at that when the time allowed, and really sharpened my game up.I still play today, I've been about 50 years a member of my local club, and I'm currently vice president as well.  I still keep active after all these years. When I'm not on the golf course, I've a busy garden to look after. Family life keeps me going as well, with two daughters and five grand children - my grandson Calum is a keen Pars fan, I'm glad to say!"

Ron was captain of the Dunfermline Athletic side that won the Scottish Cup for the very first time in the Club's history in 1961, he paid tribute to the great work his Manager Jock Stein did for the club:-

"When he arrived he drove up in an old Vauxhall Velux car but left in a Mercedes so he must have done something right"

Jim Leishman was quick to reply:-

"I have come here in a Mercedes and got the sack and gone home on the Ballingry bus!"

Ron Mailer (centre), Charlie Dickson (left) and Dave Thomson (right)

Ron went on to explain how Stein prepared differently for each game:-

"We had to play the best we could to the tactics he said we would play. It seemed to work because we had some tremendous games here."

Ron went on to explain his winning goal in front of an East End Park crowd in excess of 12,500 against Kilmarnock on 4th April 1960:-

" I remember shutting my eyes and hitting it from 40 yards. It hit the back of the net and Jimmy Brown the keeper said that he never saw that ball until it came back out again."

Leish couldn't resist:-

"A bit like Peter McCloy when I scored the winner at Ibrox!"