PREFACE

It is now 30 years since the World Cup finals in Argentina. What took place there shocked a nation as the Scottish team fell at the first hurdle with a defeat at the hands of Peru and a draw against minnows Iran, leaving the previously buoyant Scots supporters desolate. But it was the events following the Peru game that would make more headlines than Argentina's victory in the World Cup final itself - Willie Johnston was sent home in disgrace after failing a drugs test. The press, who so often praised the darting winger's skills, turned against him and made life, for Willie and his family, a nightmare of such proportions that it almost drove him out of the game.

The 30th anniversary of the event brought several journalists to Willie's door seeking permission to write the unexpurgated story. Although Willie felt that the time was right to redress the situation, his mistrust of journalists would not allow him to take up any of their offers. Having been a friend of Willie's for a number of years, I discussed the issue with him on a number of occasions and eventually he proposed that I should take up the gauntlet and tell the true story, not only of Argentina but of his whole career.

 It was a career that would see him win 22 caps for his nation, score two goals in a one-match European cup final (the only Scot ever to do so) and be red-carded 20 times.

Anyone meeting Willie for the first time would struggle to relate this mild-mannered, intriguing man with the fiery temper that has become legend in footballing circles.

This is Willie's own story, one that he tells in full for the first time. It is time to set the record straight.

Tom Bullimore
September 2008