My Lifetime in Sport

Bill Sutherland entertained his fellow Rotarians with a talk entitled ’My Lifetime of Sport’ – as player, spectator, organiser and supporter. Like many a Glasgow boy, football was an early passion and Rangers his chosen team but he switched allegiance to Partick Thistle – ‘Firhill for Thrills’ – and enjoyed just such a thrill, with his young sons, when Partick beat Celtic against all odds at Hampden in 1971. Equally vivid in Bill’s memory is the finest game he has ever seen, when Real Madrid beat Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 at Hampden in 1960. As a player, football taught Bill teamwork and cricket patience. National Service in England gave him the chance to watch test matches at Lord’s, which he relished. When back in Scotland and watching East Stirlingshire FC, Bill suddenly found himself sitting next to their manager, who had been banished to the stands for supporting his team too loudly – a young Alex Ferguson! Bill has always believed in supporting a local team, which became Dundee United after he retired to St Andrews. Unsurprisingly, golf then became a big part of his life, with Seve’s 1984 win at The Open one of several unforgettable moments. He cherishes meetings with Gary Player and Ben Crenshaw, photos of which were among the many slides projected by son, Stuart. As an active member of Kinburn Bowling Club, Bill helped to create the children’s play area, of which he is justly proud. So too of his part in rejuvenating St Andrews Table Tennis Club, when most of its members were the wrong side of 50, by recruiting and mentoring the youngsters who gave it a new lease of life. Reflecting on his 90 years, Bill said that for him sport has been less about results and more about relationships. Sport, at any level, can bind communities and families and gives us stories to tell long after the boots are hung up. Bill’s stories prompted many more from his audience before Gordon Wowk gave a well-deserved vote of thanks.