The Way We Were….1990

July 1st, 2020

The latest in our 35th anniversary look back at the club over the years, we jump forward to 1990….

The Pirates fifth season was not to be a happy one. While the top teams took part in the strangely named National Division Management Association (NDMA), the Pirates found themselves competing in the National Division (Scottish Conference) of the British National Gridiron League (BNGL).

Interestingly, the BNGL also included the Kingston Thames Pirates, Preston Pirates and Bristol Pirates. I wonder what happened to them?

#52 – Ian Smith

Things got off to a disappointing start with a 06-24 loss to Edinburgh Phoenix at Brancumhall. This was followed by a 06-52 defeat to the Whalers at Caird Park, Dundee, then a week later and home advantage couldn’t prevent a 06-42 reverse at the hands of the Clydesdale Colts.

The rest of the season played out in a similar fashion with defeats in the return games against the teams already mentioned as well as three losses to the Fife 49’ers to leave a 0-9 record at the end of the campaign.

The end of season awards saw O-Lineman Ian Smith take the overall MVP prize, while RB Alastair MacDougall and DB Billy Scott were respectively named Offensive and Defensive MVPs. Lineman of the Year went to Tony Ramaglioni and Stephen Connolly scooped the Best Rookie accolade.

By Bill Campbell

#33 – Billy Scott

#34 – Alastair MacDougall

(Note – images shared are not season specific, but are some of the early ones available to us featuring the named players!)

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