Monday 12 March 2007
The 12th of March celebrates Commonwealth Day and is a fitting occasion to welcome a further eight inductees into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame at the National Museum of Scotland, including three Commonwealth Games greats.
Launched in 2002, the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame has been developed through a unique partnership between sportscotland and National Museums Scotland. The latest Scottish sporting heroes to be inducted today by Sports Minister Patricia Ferguson MSP are: George Cornet, water polo; William Kinnear, rowing; Bill Anderson MBE, Highland Games; Willie Wood MBE, bowls; Lachie Stewart, athletics; Rose Reilly, women’s football; Ally McCoist MBE, football and Yvonne Murray-Mooney MBE, athletics.
Ms Ferguson commented: “These new inductees will provide a welcome addition to an impressive legacy which already features some of Scotland’s most pre-eminent sporting stars.
“The achievements they have made during their successful and varied careers stand as testimonies to their talents and ambitions, and provide inspiration for the next generation of sportsmen and women. We not only strive to encourage and support sporting excellence, we are also focused on building greater participation in sport and physical activity as a means of improving health, self-confidence and quality of life.”
With Glasgow’s Bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games building up to a decision this autumn, it is significant that three of Scotland’s greatest Commonwealth Games representatives join the Hall of Fame today. The Games have been responsible for some of Scotland’s greatest sporting moments and to date 17 Commonwealth Games athletes have been inducted.
Bowler, Willie Wood is the most capped Scottish Commonwealth Games athlete ever, having competed in seven Games and winning bronze, silver and two gold medals between 1974 and 1990. Ironically, the only Games he missed in an otherwise unbroken run was Edinburgh in 1986.
However, Lachie Stewart is a man who knows what it’s like to win on home soil. A gutsy victory in the 10,000 metres final at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh ranks as one of the most memorable moments in Scottish sport. Cheered on by a passionate home crowd, Stewart out-sprinted the multiple world record holder and overwhelming favourite, Australian Ron Clarke, to win gold on the first day of the Games taking more than 20 seconds off his previous best.
Fellow long distance runner Yvonne Murray-Mooney also enjoyed similar home advantage at the 1986 Edinburgh Games, when she won the first of three Commonwealth Games medals, taking bronze in the 3,000 metres. She went on to collect a full set, winning silver in the 3,000 metres in 1990, and finally gold at 10,000 metres four years later, in Victoria, Canada.
Legendary Scottish striker Ally McCoist is also recognised today. Rangers’ all time top goal scorer, notching up 355 goals in 581 matches, McCoist is also Scotland’s second highest ever scorer with 19 goals in 61 matches.
2007 is a year of firsts for the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame. The sports of bowls, Highland Games, rowing and water polo have all had representatives inducted for the first time, whilst Rose Reilly is the first woman footballer to be recognised. This is also the first induction ceremony since the Hall of Fame opened at the National Museum of Scotland in its Sporting Scotland gallery last summer.
Dr Gordon Rintoul, Director of National Museums Scotland, said: “It is exciting to welcome eight new inductees into the Sports Hall of Fame. The gallery has been a popular new addition to the Museum over the past six months and these new sporting greats will only add to the gallery’s appeal.”
Sports Halls of Fame are an internationally recognised way of acknowledging past performers, promoting excellence in sport and instilling sport as a key part of a nation’s culture. By providing a public record of Scotland’s greatest sports men and women, the Hall aims to inspire younger generations and promote a culture of Scots recognising and celebrating Scottish success across a range of sports.
Congratulating the 2007 inductees, Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair, sportscotland, said: “I am delighted to be here today as we induct a further eight Scottish sporting legends into the Sports Hall of Fame.
“I am sure the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame will be a significant attraction to Scots and visitors alike, providing an opportunity to celebrate some of the world’s greatest sporting achievements and giving inspiration particularly to our young people, highlighting just what can be achieved through participation in sport.”
- Biographies of the inductees are detailed below.
- Free photographs from the event are available from Steve Lindridge, Ideal Images Mobile: 07718 919597.
- Today’s ceremony brings the total number of inductees to 78 (11 women and 67 men) representing 27 sports: 14 footballers, ten from athletics, nine from swimming; seven each from golf and rugby and six boxers.
- In tune with induction criteria applied to sports halls of fame around the world, nominees for induction into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame must be either: a person born in Scotland, a person who, under the rules of the relevant governing body, was eligible to compete for Scotland or a person who has resided in Scotland during the major part of their sporting career. Also they should have normally retired from top-level participation in their sport for a minimum of five years. However, the interpretation of the criteria is at the discretion of the independent selection panel.
- The independent selection panel comprises leading sports historians, journalists and administrators: Louise Martin CBE (Chair), Doug Gillon, Professor Grant Jarvie, Norman Mair, Andy Mitchell, Jon Doig, Robin Morris, Colin Pearson, Alison Walker, David Webster OBE, Mike Wilson.
- The official SSHF website: www.sshf.co.uk has a profile of all 78 inductees.
Inductee Biographies 2007
George Cornet (b.1877 d.1952) Water Polo
George Cornet was the only Scot in the British water polo team that won gold in the 1908 and 1912 Olympic Games. He played as a back for the Inverness Amateurs team that won the Scottish Championship in 1909 and reached four other finals; Cornet represented Scotland a total of 17 times between 1897 and 1912. An all-round sportsman in much demand, George also played football and cricket for Inverness teams as well as competing in heavy and track athletics events.
Olympic gold medal, 1908 and 1912
Scottish Championship winner, 1909
17 Scotland caps
William Kinnear (b.1880 d.1974) Rowing
The world’s best single sculler prior to World War One, Kinnear won gold at the Stockholm Olympics in 1912. He captured the Olympic title comfortably and later the same year bagged his third successive Wingfield sculls. Better known to his friends as Wally, Kinnear was born in Laurencekirk in 1880, leaving home in 1902 for a career with the chain store Debenhams in England. Work colleagues introduced him to sculling and he became hooked. He won a myriad of sculling championships on the Thames between 1903 and 1911, including the Diamonds twice and Wingfield three times, establishing himself as a world-class oarsman. During World War One Kinnear served with the Royal Naval Air Service and afterwards became a rowing coach.
Olympic gold medal, Single Sculls, 1912
Winner, Diamond Challenge Sculls, Henley, 1910, 1911
Winner, Wingfield Sculls, 1910, 1911, 1912
Bill Anderson MBE (b. 1937) Highland Games
Bill Anderson is undoubtedly the greatest ‘heavy’ of modern times. Two times World Highland Games Champion and 16 times Scottish Champion, he dominated the Highland Games Championships between 1959 and 1988. During the Games at Lochearnhead in 1969 he broke both the 16 pound hammer record and the hammer itself, causing a delay in the competition. Bill retired from competition in 1988 and now, when not coaching young athletes, is a much sought-after judge at Highland Games around the world.
Two times World Highland Games Champion
Four times World Caber Tossing Champion
Winner of 16 Scottish Championships
Five times USA Highland Games Champion 1976-1980
Canadian Highland Games Champion 1977
Willie W Wood MBE (b.1938) Bowls
Born in Haddington, Wood now lives in Gifford where he plays for the Gifford Bowling Club. Willie first represented his country in 1966 and in an illustrious career that spans more than 40 years he has made 127 appearances for Scotland. He played in a record-breaking seven Commonwealth Games making him the most capped Scottish Commonwealth Games athlete to date. He has also won seven major international tournaments and 14 World Championship medals in his illustrious career. Wood was awarded an MBE in 1992 for Services to Sport.
World Championships: Singles, silver 1984 and 1988 / Triples, bronze 1992 and 2000, silver 1988, gold 1996 and 2004 / Fours, bronze 2000, silver 1980, gold 1992 / Team, gold 1984, 1992, 1996 and 2004 / Indoor Singles, silver 1989 / Indoor Pairs, silver 1991
Commonwealth Games: Singles, bronze 1974, gold 1982 / Pairs, silver 1978 /Fours, gold 1990
National Championships: Winner Pairs, 2006 / Triples 1984 / 1986 and 1998
Lachie Stewart (b.1943) Athletics
A gutsy victory in the 10,000 metres final for Stewart at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh ranks as one of the most memorable moments in Scottish sport. Cheered on by a passionate home crowd, Stewart out-sprinted the multiple world record holder and overwhelming favourite, Australian Ron Clarke, to win gold on the first day of the Games. Stewart took more than 20 seconds off his previous best to win. Lachie won 13 Scottish titles in seven years and established numerous Scottish records at two miles, 3,000 metre steeplechase, six miles and 10 miles.
Commonwealth Games gold medal, 10,000m 1970
British National Championships 3 miles winner, 1968
Scottish Championship: 3 miles winner, 1965, 1967 and 1968 /
5,000m winner, 1969 / 10,000m winner, 1967, 1968, 1970,1971 and 1973 / 10 miles winner 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1971
Scottish Cross Country Championships winner 1967 and 1968
Rose Reilly (b.1955) Association Football
A trailblazer for women’s football, Reilly started her sporting career in Scotland and at 16 she was chosen to represent Scotland in the Commonwealth Games pentathlon. However she decided to move on from the athletics track and concentrate on her skills on the football field, moving to mainland Europe to further her career. Her subsequent list of achievements is incredible considering the obstacles faced by female footballers in the early ‘70s. At 17 Reilly had a trial for Rheims in France and by the age of 18 she was playing for AC Milan. She was voted best player in the victorious Italian World Cup team that played China in the final in 1983.
Won eight Seria A league titles
Won four Italian Cups
Scored 45 goals in one season
Women’s World Cup Winner 1983
Capped 13 times for Italy as captain
Won the Golden Boot in 1983
Ally McCoist MBE (b.1962) Association Football
Ally McCoist, a striker, started his professional career at St Johnstone FC where in the 1980/81 season he scored 22 goals in 38 games. Several clubs courted McCoist but it was Sunderland who thwarted the efforts of Glasgow Rangers to sign the rising star. After two seasons at Sunderland, Rangers’ manager John Greig signed him in 1983. McCoist is Rangers’ top ever goal scorer, scoring 355 goals in 581 matches. He is also Scotland’s second highest ever scorer with 19 goals in 61 matches and, having gained over 50 International caps, is a member of the Scottish Football Hall of Fame. McCoist finished his playing career at Kilmarnock FC where he spent two seasons with manager Bobby Williamson. In 2004 he joined the Scotland national team coaching staff under his former manager Walter Smith and in 2007 followed him back to Rangers as Assistant Manager.
61 Scotland caps
10 League Championship medals
One Scottish Cup medal
Nine League Cup medals
European Golden Boot 1992, 1993
Scottish PFA Players’ Player of the Year, 1992
Yvonne Murray-Mooney MBE (b.1964) Athletics
Yvonne Murray-Mooney is one of Scotland’s most outstanding long distance runners, winning medals at the European Championships, Commonwealth Games, Olympics and World Championships. Her impressive medal haul includes Olympic bronze medal, 3,000 metres 1988 and bronze, silver and gold European Championship medals in both indoor and outdoor 3,000 metre events. She also collected a full set of Commonwealth Games medals, in the same order: bronze over 3,000 metres in 1986, silver in 1990, and finally gold at 10,000 metres four years later, in Victoria, Canada. She was awarded an MBE in 1990 and became BBC Scotland Sports Personality of the Year in 1994.
Olympic bronze medal, 3,000m 1988
IAAF World Cup, gold medal 3,000m 1989, 1994
World Indoor Championships, gold medal 3,000m 1993
Commonwealth Games: bronze medal, 3,000m 1986 /silver medal, 1990 / gold medal, 10,000m 1994
European Indoor Championships: bronze medal, 3,000m 1985 / silver medal, 1986 / gold medal, 1987 / silver medal, 3,000m 1986 and 1994 / gold medal, 1990
Commonwealth record holder, 2,000m set in 1994