Alastair Carnegie
President of Western HC 1970-1978
Alastair took over the reins following a fairly inauspicious period in the Club’s history: Western had lost dominance of the West District League in the 1960s, but at last in 1972 John Young’s team won the John Dick Trophy. League success came again in 1973-4 under Angus Scott. However in the Scottish Cup Western never got further than the semi-finals during this period, so Alastair was especially pleased when our first National success came in 1976 – Ian Thomas’s 3rds winning the Reserve Cup. At this time Scottish Hockey was dominated by Edinburgh Civil Service, but in every year from 1976 to 1980 Western came second to ECS in the new National League. Also at this time Western embraced the “new” sport of indoor hockey, soon becoming the foremost exponents in the West – in 1972-3 they won all three available trophies. Thus towards the end of Alastair’s Presidency the 1st Eleven had begun to be a major player on the National scene.
His presidency was at a time of major structural change in Scottish hockey - the move from the cosy home countries championship to European competition, first held in 1970 ; and the development of the national league, with the effect (good or otherwise according to one's own prejudices) on the prestige friendly matches and the Huddersfield connection. These had a major impact on the club, who joined it and who went elsewhere to further their hockey careers. Alastair was also at the helm when the 'social demograph' changed, with possibly the most diverse group of players in the club's history at that time. He embraced this willingly and wholeheartedly. A new breed of young players was joining and the basis was being laid for success in the 80s and 90s. The Captains under his stewardship were John Young, Angus Scott, Martin Kemp, Bobby Hunter and Kieran McLernan. He was a very popular President, and one of the last “gentlemen” hockey players displaying the old Corinthian spirit. Always affable, amusing and charming, he was meticulously fair in all his dealings as befitting his profession as a lawyer. He didn’t take sides nor did he indulge in idle gossip. Young players were always encouraged, indeed for several years he and Bill Matheson ran the lowest team, bringing on the young talent. [ For a period Western operated a squad system, and since substitutions were not allowed, the unselected players had the day off. The club rule was that they should make themselves available for one of the lower elevens. But woe betide any such “star” player who tried any modern tricks in Alastair’s team. At the half -time talk he would sternly declare “We never pass back in the 5ths”.]
As a player himself he had a somewhat unorthodox style, possibly due to latent left-handedness, but as centre forward, he had a good eye for goal, and a sharp shot. There is little published material on Alastair’s early hockey career, but a match report from 1955 records a forward line comprising Maurice Gregory (RW) , Steve Easton (IR), Peter Armstrong (CF), ABC (IL) and Robert Cunninghame-Graham (LW). He was a first team regular for some years, regular goal-scorer and clearly at ease in the highest company with such as Gregory and Armstrong, both internationalists. In his later playing days as he lost mobility he would prowl the top of the D, periodically screaming to have the ball delivered “right to his stick”. Non-providers got an earful. A notable eccentricity was his half-time fag, despite his having only one functioning lung. Today’s trainers would be appalled! Another foible he displayed after a game was to shower and dress before applying deodorant!
Some older club members may recall Alastair’s presidential performances at the AGMs: When attendees had settled down he would draw himself up, give a couple of his curious nasal snorts before mock-pompously announcing “The Club is in good heart” (whether it was or not). This moment was inevitably punctured by rough trade from the back of the hall shouting out “Did you know you have sticky-out ears?”, or "You look like a taxi with both doors open". As one would expect, this badinage was accepted with good grace and a charming smile, and business would commence.
Bill Matheson recalls “He was already well established as a player and Committee member when I joined Western in 1958. but it was not until the 70s that as President he showed his true worth. In 1969 we seized the chance to move to Auchenhowie and join the existing Cricket & Tennis Club. It was due to Alistair's organisational and diplomatic skills that the multi-sport Milngavie and Bearsden Sports Club has been so successful, lasting now for over 40 years. He was a real gentleman at all times. Always polite, even-handed and even-tempered. I don't recall ever seeing him angry but of course he had a keen sense of humour. As we heard at the Service he displayed all these qualities and more in all the activities in which he was involved”.
Other club members have written tributes which refer to “his good sense and integrity” , “loyalty”, “nice guy and a good club man”, and to his ability to make new members welcome, both to Western Hockey Club and to Glasgow.
Wha was like him? Damn few, and they’re all deid.