‘Eges 16, March 21, 1979 - Nowth Shore News ‘by Jim Kearney Wicked Pad : — illie coming? John Best and Tony Waiters are in England this Scottish international winger week, trying to sign up Willie Johnston for the Whitecaps. If they are succesful, it is to be hoped they.find out what kind these days. He is the same Willie Johnston who made headlines in Argentina last June during the World Cup _when he failed to pass a post- game dope test. Not that his transgression affected the outcome of the game. Scotland had already lost. But it sort of set the tone for what escalated into a total Scottish disaster, so well and wittily encapsuled ‘by Hugh MclIivanney of The Observer in the opening paragraph of his dispatch from Cordoba: “If there is ever a World Cup for self-destructiveness, - few nations will have the nerve to challenge the Scots. It seems astonishing that the race has never produced a kamikaze pilot, but perhaps the explanation is that all the volunteers insisted on at- tacking sewage farms.” Poor Johnston. He - became the metaphor for of cold pills he’s using everything that went wrong as the Scots lost successive games to Peru and Iran and © blew themselves out of the tournament. He wasn’t around for the second defeat. Disqualified from further play, he had been flown home to Scotland. It may be fairly said that ‘his sin was more an act of omission than commission. He omitted to think. He had a cold and instead of going to the team medical staff for medication, he treated himself. The pill he took contained a prohibited drug, . it showed up in the urine test after the game and it was bye-bye Willie. And in West Bromwich this week it’s bye-bye Willie ‘again. He’s up for sale and other’ North American Soccer League’ teams, besides the Whitecaps, are said to be bidding. It has been obvious for some time that the veteran was playing his last season ‘for West. Brom. A brilliant ‘young black player, Cyril. ‘Regis, replaced him early in the .. schedule and Willie hasn't started more than two or more games since. _ He has appeared 22 times internationally for Scotland, Starting in 1966. That's 13 years ago, so, if they land. him, the. Whitecaps wil! be getting a guy in the twilight of active service: He's cither_ .32 or 33. ’ There has to be a reason_ 'for this hurry-up trip to join the bidding for a player who can give them, ‘at the most, two or three years service. There is and his name is Carl Valentine, a purchase in the off-season from Oldham Athletic of the English League’s second division. He, too, plays the wing, and has tremendous speed. Unfortunately, he’s a better sprinter than he. is a foot- ‘baller. There's an urgent . need for-someone with more skill, thus the Johnston. _ Considering the com- prehensive recruiting job the rush for ps id through the “winter, the team figures —- on . paper, at least — to be better than Jast year's eminently successful side. * But nearly a: month into. - the -pre-season - training grind,’ some cracks . are showing up. Possivly the most worrisome is Kevin Hector, scoring hero. of the 1978 club. Off what he hasn't shown to date this spring; the .suspicion is that he’s ‘suddenly over the hill; that he’s lost it. . If so,;. Waiters has a problem. He _ recruited another ‘clever. inside for- ward,‘ Trevor ymark, from Ipswich to partner what Hinton did for the Hector, the idea being that they could play. off each other and create more ‘Scoring chances. _ But so far Whymark is pretty well on his. own, and there's, no big Bobby Campbell up there with him, _ kicking the kneecaps - off people, with the ball coming loose, as it did so often last _ summer, for the skill player to tap it home. Someone of that strong, disruptive style likely will have to be added to provide more bite up front. There seems: to be a problem at left full back, too. Because if there isn’t, what is Roger Kenyon doing playing there? He came out from Everton, figuring to be the key midfield man; the experienced, talented link between the back and the attackers. This has always been his role. Fullback is not his position. Don’t bet on him staying there. Don't bet on Waiters recruiting a fullback during bis current trip. And. don’t bet on him using one of his Canadian benchsitters. calories and 50¢lighter s in price: just °4.35 dozen Trilight. Nobody brewsitligh tivating his coach, former England . fallback Bobby McNab, much as he ac- tivated. Alan Hinton a year ago to play a troublesome ~~ _wing position; the one for which Valentine was recruited after Alan departed for Tulsa and a ne coaching job. Although well into his ’ 30's, .McNab will have no ~ trouble. handling. such an assignment. He’s a fitness nut and no player on the team is in better condition than the man who is putting them through the paces. No doubt the memory of Whitecaps’ attack in 1978 is motivating the. attempt to. sign Johnston. The bulk of the team’s scoring came off dead ball situations -- free kicks and corner kicks. Hinton took almost all of them. He had a pool player's touch. If a forward wanted Applications now You just bought a new The Instead, bet on him ac- - Curling Leagues" FALL ’79 a curling leagues, bonspiels and parties for the 1979-80 Curling season. Phone 926-0789 the ball delivered to him three inches below his navel and slightly to the left, that’s where he got it. ye, Alan was out of:shape. He didn’t ‘run. He. sort. of waddled. Middle age spread had arrived a few years early and there was nothing he could do to make it retreat. But he had that magic touch. ~ It made him both a cult — figure and a key guy in the team’s success. ve Obviously, the -young Valentine, while taking his ‘place; is not the replacement __ ‘they need. Johnston has the experience and skill to ‘provide the: same sort of ‘service. So if he does come: to Vancouver, and if he does the job, then as far as ‘Whitecaps’ supporters are’ concerned, he not only can take the occasional cold pill; 8 he can sprinkle them on his " porridge evéry morning. . . . being accepted for pair of skis. (What a steal they were’) first time out on the slopes. .and... crunch. So much for cheap, discount skis. Next time you'll go to Skyline Sports— and let Skyline’s experts fit you with skis that are right for your height, weight, skiing SHULINE SPCRITS FOR THE GAMES PEOPLE PLAY EBPORTS 46th'st. ouver, B.C. (Just off Lonsdale) 985-916 Open until 9 ¥y4n., Thurs, & Fri, ‘abi ability...and your pocketbook.