Leonard strikes faster than British Leyland

Mike Leonard returned to East End Park on Saturday as the principal guest at Legends Re-United.

Mike Leonard joined Dunfermline from Sligo Rovers in 1978 and although his three seasons weren’t the club’s greatest, he was an ever present in 1978/79 and his 24 goals went a long way to helping the club gain promotion to the First Division at last. Hugely popular at the time, he was honoured for his achievements by his fellow professionals, who voted him the Second Division Player of the Year.

A Bishopbriggs lad, Mike had been at Celtic for three years and he explained to the company in the Kingdom Suite just how tough it had been there to break into that first team.

"When I signed for Celtic there was Billy McNeill, Bobby Lennox, Jimmy Johnstone, Kenny Dalglish, Paul Wilson, Vic Davidson, Jimmy Bone. In the reserves alongside myself there was George McCluskey, Tommy Burns and Andy Ritchie - all great players."

After failing to make the breakthrough he held Sean Fallon to the promises that had been made when he signed for Celtic.

"He gave me a phone number and it was a guy called Billy Sinclair. He came from Shettleston and had played for Everton but he was the manager of Sligo Rovers."

"I had never heard of Sligo, but Billy told me he was trying to build a good side and invited me over for a few pre-season friendlies, on the basis that if I didn't like it, I could go back.

"I remember arriving in Sligo at about 6.00pm on a summer's evening, just prior to a match against Cliftonville. We won that 2-1 and I signed a contract for a month to see how things would go. That was the start of a fabulous time for me and indeed for Sligo Rovers," he acknowledged.

The Scot made a significant impact in just over two seasons with Sligo Rovers. Leonard was a central figure in Billy Sinclair's 1976-77 league winning team, scoring eleven goals as part of a trio which terrorised defences, Gary Hulmes and Paul McGee hitting thirteen goals each on the march to the title.

Leonard's return in his relatively short time at Sligo was impressive, scoring 45 times in a total of 93 appearances.

"Winning the league was a fabulous experience, especially in a place like Sligo. It meant so much to the supporters. It is something I will always cherish and I have many, many happy memories of my time there.

"I would not change anything. The way things worked out for me was fantastic. I can say I have a championship medal and played in Europe," Mick acknowledged.

The contrast with the day he was told by former Glasgow Celtic manager, the late Jock Stein, that he had no future at Parkhead is not lost on the striker.

"I walked out the door of his office sad and bitterly disappointed. I didn't know what I was going to do. I didn't think I was that far away from making a breakthrough into the Celtic first team, but obviously other people thought otherwise.

"It had always been a dream to sign for Celtic and when it actually happened, I enjoyed eighteen wonderful months there, before Jock Stein informed me that I was being given a free release," Leonard recalled.

He was 20 when he had signed for Celtic in 1974, Stein and his Sligo-born Assistant, Sean Fallon, tracking his progress as he rose to prominence with the Brunswick amateur team. Celtic then scooped to take him from Perthshire Juniors, after just one week.

Having made the move to Celtic Park, Leonard was performing reasonably well in the Reserves. He had figured in a friendly against Preston North End-managed at the time by Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton-and after coming on a substitute set up two goals for striker, Andy Ritchie.

"Things seemed to be going well, but then I was called into Jock Stein's office and I was told I was being given a free release. It was a big blow and at that particular time I just didn't know what was going to happen next," Mick explained.

Offers to go to Australia and England followed, Leonard working with John Gorman as he spent a short time at Workington and Carlisle.

"I didn't really fancy England and decided to go home to Glasgow. I didn't have any idea where my football career would go."

His Irish adventure lasted just over two seasons before Leonard returned to Scotland in January 1978, but not before he played in the European Cup against Red Star Belgrade.

"Many players went through entire careers without enjoying the sort of success I had and it was tremendous to play in Europe. Sligo and its people will always hold a special place for me and looking back on it all now it was a superb experience," Mick stated.

On moving back to Scotland, he signed for Dunfermline and was top scorer there for three seasons. In 1979-80 he won the Second Division 'Player of the Year' accolade.

Mike was renowned for hat tricks and he recalled to Jim Leishman how J&B Whisky sponsored hat tricks at the time giving every member of the team a bottle of whisky -

"The place smelt like a distillery. I got four bottles and all the players got a bottle."

The amber bead was not the only memory for Mike. In fact he talked with Leishman for over twenty minutes. He recalled a match against Swansea at East End Park, John Toshack's team.

"I found myself in the right back position and when the ball came to me I trapped it on my chest, did two or three keepie ups before flicking it over a challenger's head right to the goalkeeper. The crowd were going mental and I looked at the dugout and Harry Melrose was shouting "I told you to get up the ******* pitching park."

Leishman reminded Mike of a special goal against Meadowbank Thistle. Mike immediately reacted "what a belter". Leishman described it:-

"Hugh Whyte kicked it out his hands, lobbed it up the park and Leonard turns, two touches goalkeeper, Leonard goal."

Mike remembered that well:-
"I scored a hat trick that night. There was a terrible wind and it was raining heavily. I was on the edge of the centre circle when the ball came and just whacked it because I was knackered - hat trick!"

On leaving the Pars he joined Pollock Juniors and picked up another league winners' medal.

Mick was employed as a Superintendent for Glasgow City Council but has no involvement in football at all now.