I remember also a Scottish Cup replay between Hearts and St Mirren at Tynecastle; I was living in Edinburgh at the time and went along. Hearts won by 3-0 and St Mirren (captained by Roy Aitken) had two men sent off and I think Chic Charnley was one of them. I was starting to head home, and bumped into Billy McNeill and we chatted for a minute; he suggested going inside for a cup of tea (or something); I hesitated but he assured me it would be fine and so it proved. He spoke to the Security Man at the door, a brief conversation: “He’s with me” … “No problem, Billy.”
A little booth inside, with a couple of Edinburgh matrons serving tea and coffee behind the counter, and I was fascinated by the conversation between Billy and one of the ladies, a middle-aged, genteel looking lady:
“Could we have a couple of cups of tea, Elizabeth?” (‘Elizabeth’ may not have been her name, but I’ve forgotten it.)
“Of course, Mr McNeill.”
She busied herself with the crockery, and Billy continued the conversation. “Elizabeth, how long have I been coming to Tynecastle now?”
“Quite a few years, Mr McNeill.”
“Well then, do you not think it’s time you called me ‘Billy’?”
“Perhaps, and I’ll think about it. But, regardless, you’ll always be ‘Mr McNeill’ to me.”
I remember that Billy smiled, shrugged his shoulders in resignation, and whispered to me: “There’s the difference between Edinburgh and Glasgow for you.” Just then Wallace Mercer, Hearts’ chairman, came in, spotted Billy and made for him. “Are you two being looked after?”
“We’re just fine, Wallace. Every time I come to Tynecastle, I’m very well looked after … especially by Elizabeth here.” I noticed that the Hearts’ chairman, noted the information, and was pleased at that; he had been informed quietly and effectively that ‘Elizabeth’ behind the counter was doing a great job and was one employee representing his club ideally.
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