University of St Andrews Football Club

Management

Since the Club has an ever changing roster of Office Bearers and limited resources, it has been difficult to attract coaches of a high quality on a regular basis. In the late 1980s, Andy Law, a barman from the Central Bar on Market Street, volunteered to coach the First XI, providing much needed objectivity from the sidelines.

In the mid-90s, rector Donald Findlay helped to provide coaching on a sporadic basis from Rangers F.C. But with the Q.C's resignation as rector came the end of the tie-up. In between times, all three squads have relied on the team captains to take training and pick the team.

During the 1997-98 season, the then AU president and 1st XI left-back, Thomas Finbar Patrick William Doyle, drafted in Eric Walker to help first team captain Ross Gilder, whose form was suffering as a result of the dual strains of team selection and his ever increasing waistline. Walker's arrival, a former Scottish Amateur Cup winner (sporting discipline unknown), looked like it would herald a new era of total football within the club. However, the new managerial duo only ever really hit it off during happy hour which lead to both departing (Gilder to the The Kinnes Fry Bar and Walker to Bell's distillery) shortly after.

In 2002 the first team took the unprecedented step of 'employing' a coach to take training and attend matches, but with team selection remaining with the Captain. Gary Cardle coached the team to varying success before 'losing the dressing room' in the 2003/2004 season. He moved on to Cowdenbeath F.C. Youth team and Herriot Watt 2nd XI respectively.

The reigns were immediately taken up voluntarily by Peter Henry, father of 1st team player Pete Henry Jnr. His effect was immediate, with the players galvanised, the team finished mid-table in the Fife Amateur Premier League and second in the BUSA Scottish 2a Conference in his first season.

The 1st XI were to enjoy a period of success unrivalled in modern times under Henry, as in his second season the team marched to League victory in the BUSA Scottish 2a Conference and the semi-finals of the BUSA Trophy in 2006. Henry left the club with immediate effect after the 2006 committee election, spelling the end of an era for the 1st XI. The managerless team's standards slipped in the Fife League and they were eventually relegated. Happily, however, the University agreed a deal in July 2006 with Dundee United F.C. allowing the professional Club to train on the University grounds in return for professional coaching for all three University teams.

The Tayside Club assigned Austin McPhee as the regular Coach for the University. Austin hails from Fife and has played professional football in Japan and NCAA Division 1 College Soccer for UNCW. He holds a UEFA A-License and 2006/2007 was his first season in charge. Despite an excellent win against Edinburgh, the 1st XI lost their hard earned place at the BUSA top table following relegation on the final day of McPhee's first season. The team showed some promise in the Fife League, but the season ended in disappointment after failure to win promotion.

Tours

The Club has gone on numerous tours, spreading the Saint's gospel far and wide to the local amateur teams.

*The Club toured to Paris in 1985, defeating the Sorbonne University 6-1 in the first game, before a defeat to Spartans of Edinburgh (1-3). The third game was a comprehensive 10-2 victory over the Standard Athletic Club, and the final game resulted in a 4-1 win over Old Challoners.
*There was a tour to Loret de Mar, Spain in 1989
*Amsterdam was home to a particularly well organised tour to Amsterdam in 1990
*Cyprus 1997, played three, lost three, goals scored 4, goals conceded 17
*Barcelona played host to notorious 1999 'White Monkey' tour
*Greece was the venue for the 2002 tour
*The Club intend to tour Prague in mid-2007
The United Colleges have made a couple of short breaks in recent years:

*Ireland in 2002 and Germany in 2006.

Characters

Some members were the life and soul of the Club on and off the park. During their St. Andrews careers they left an indelible mark on the club and on their peers.

Early 90s

Late 90s

Early 00s

William Storey (DNG)
Universally known as Bomber. Will is most famous for not graduating and for being the greatest storyteller since Verbal Kint. His time at University spanned from 1997 right through to 2003, but despite protestations to the contrary he never got further than second year maths modules.

A talented footballer, Will often troubled Bryan 'Bouff' Hawkins in the race for top scorer. His skill, technique and large mouth were never suited to the fields of Fife, where he was often singled out for special treatment. On one occasion, a Pittenweem player raced into the changing rooms with a metal peg intent on attacking him.

Will was distinctly un-PC in his opinions and would often be heard pontificating loudly about his distaste for the Royals and the members of the Kate Kennedy Club. Since leaving St. Andrews, he has allegedly worked as a game-keeper in Africa; an importer of Ivory and a salesman for Toshiba. He also plays for Hampton and Richmond reserve team (allegedly).

Late 00s

Charles "the Cat" Devlin (Graduated 2008)
Stalwart centre back for the 3rd XI and United Colleges throughout his illustrious career. Known around town for his love of The Raisin, his passion for pub quiz machines and his penchant for waking up the residents of Hope Street by singing "The Aces". Last seen pulling pitchers in the Raisin. Rumoured to bleed black and yellow.

Graham Finlayson (Graduated 2007)
A striker known as a scorer of great goals rather than a great goalscorer. Never really fulfilled his ample potential due to chronic oncle problems. Despite his orthapaedic woes, somehow managed to finish top scorer in season 2006-07. Fans will remember him for his medical oncle tape and his ability to talk up his own performances. His dad is an orthapaedic (oncle) surgeon by the way.

"Famous" Ex-Players

*Bryan "Bouff" Hawkins Spartans 2004- ( app, Goals)
*Presley Orhue Cowdenbeath 2003-04 (1 app, 0 Goals)
*Matt Dyer East Fife 1996-99 (44 app, 16 Goals)
*Ryan Cameron East Fife 1996-97 (15 app, 1 Goal)
*Jonathan Wild Manchester City 1967-1987 (432 app, 1 Goal)
*Dave Young Raith Rovers 1992-94 (? app, ? Goals)
*PW Dirkin earned two Scottish Amateur Caps, both against Ireland in 1951 and 1952

Past Club Captains

2007-2008 Glenn Johnston 2006-2007 Jeff Flis
2005-2006 David MacAulay
2004-2005 Neil Stewart
2003-2004 Richard Watson
2002-2003 Frazer Wilson
2001-2002 Chris Hull
2000-2001 Richie Walker
1999-2000 Andrew Wilson
1998-1999 Chris Keay
1997-1998 Simon Taylor
1996-1997 Jonathan Wild
1995-1996 James Edge
1994-1995 Alwyn Bell
1993-1994 Jonathan Arana
1992-1993 Mark Gray
1991-1992 Alan Marshall
1990-1991 Cameron Brown
1989-1990 Dave Pritchard