Received opinion is that Mr Wallace's second spell as manager was "a failure" (Archie McPherson et al). It is undeniable that we never returned to the summit of Scottish football during this period and were the fourth best team in the country. However, I believe there are a number of circumstances and decisions that impeded Jock Wallace and prevented him succeeding.
Mr Wallace assumed the role in November 1983, succeeding his own successor John Greig. It was opined that Alex Ferguson and Jim McLean turned down the job over unease at "boardroom issues." (Alex Ferguson claimed on Rangers TV that Scot Symon warned him that two individuals were vying to be Chairman and that a Football Manager would be caught up in the politics of the situation. I assume he was referring to John Paton and Jack Gillespie). Thus, Jock Wallace assumed the position among "boardroom issues."
Mr Wallace stabilised the footballing situation and captured the League Cup in March 1984. Despite this, he realised the team required rebuilding and identified three young players who he believed would be a mainstay for a number of years - John Brown, Gordon Durie, and Craig Levein. All three were keen (Brown and Durie obviously did sign some years later) but the Board would not back Mr Wallace financially. Instead, we started the 1984/85 season with new signings Iain Ferguson and Cammy Fraser.
Mr Wallace's assistant Alex Totten provided further evidence of the Board's parsimony in his book "From the Kop to the Kelpies." Totten recalled a conversation with Chairman John Paton on the Team Bus after an away victory: "he (Paton) said if you keep playing like that we'll give you a bit more money to spend." Totten wondered why the management team were not backed by the Board at the outset.
To summarise: I believe Mr Wallace operated with his hands tied and received a raw deal in his second spell. (I also believed his achievements in his first spell were overlooked, but thats for another post).
I salute a Great Ranger, John Martin Bokas Wallace.
Mr Wallace assumed the role in November 1983, succeeding his own successor John Greig. It was opined that Alex Ferguson and Jim McLean turned down the job over unease at "boardroom issues." (Alex Ferguson claimed on Rangers TV that Scot Symon warned him that two individuals were vying to be Chairman and that a Football Manager would be caught up in the politics of the situation. I assume he was referring to John Paton and Jack Gillespie). Thus, Jock Wallace assumed the position among "boardroom issues."
Mr Wallace stabilised the footballing situation and captured the League Cup in March 1984. Despite this, he realised the team required rebuilding and identified three young players who he believed would be a mainstay for a number of years - John Brown, Gordon Durie, and Craig Levein. All three were keen (Brown and Durie obviously did sign some years later) but the Board would not back Mr Wallace financially. Instead, we started the 1984/85 season with new signings Iain Ferguson and Cammy Fraser.
Mr Wallace's assistant Alex Totten provided further evidence of the Board's parsimony in his book "From the Kop to the Kelpies." Totten recalled a conversation with Chairman John Paton on the Team Bus after an away victory: "he (Paton) said if you keep playing like that we'll give you a bit more money to spend." Totten wondered why the management team were not backed by the Board at the outset.
To summarise: I believe Mr Wallace operated with his hands tied and received a raw deal in his second spell. (I also believed his achievements in his first spell were overlooked, but thats for another post).
I salute a Great Ranger, John Martin Bokas Wallace.
