Members News: Scottish Former Sky Blue Winger Is 57 Today. ‘Happy Birthday’ Dougie!!

Dougie in the Sky Blue

Hot on the heels of the birthday of another Sky Blue McGuire (Mick was 71 two days ago) CCFPA also wishes another member, former Sky Blue winger ‘Dougie’ McGuire a very happy birthday for today. Born in Bathgate, Scotland on 6th September 1967, Dougie is celebrating his 57th birthday today!  Though he had a footballing career of well over a decade much of it was spent ‘North of the Border’ and only readers with long memories are likely to remember his Sky Blues days.

‘Dougie’ began his footballing career with (Glasgow) Celtic Boys Club before graduating to their YTS scheme in April 1984 turning professional in 1986. There he gained Scotland Youth International honours. He was sent out on loan to Dumbarton and then south of the border to Sunderland to gain experience but when he was brought to Highfield Road as a young prospect in August 1988 for £40k he had notched up only a handful of first team appearances. He was signed from the Scottish club after a week’s trial after an outstanding performance at a pre-season friendly at Gloucester City.

Sadly, he did little better at CCFC appearing only four times  in the Sky Blue first team (including three from the bench) without scoring. Glandular fever evidently impeded his progress and appearances for CCFC. Eventually he  made his debut as a sub in a Division One game at Highbury when Arsenal beat the Sky Blues 2-0 on 22th August 1989, making his full debut on 16th September at outside left at Highfield Road v Luton Town when a Gary Bannister strike earned all the points.

Dougie at Golf Day 2010 with CCFPA’s Billy Bell

Dougie made his last first team appearance for the Sky Blues at Derby County’s Baseball ground  on 30th December 1989, again coming off the bench, but the Sky Blues were well beaten by 4-1! The winger’s contract was cancelled in the following November and Dougie moved back to Scotland with Cumnock Juniors (briefly in Jan.1991) and then to Queen of the South in June 1991 where he came into his own scoring a dozen times in 95 appearances. 

Further spells followed at Stranraer (1994-96), Alloa Athletic and Albion Rovers (1996-May 1997).  Dougie then dropped down a level or two playing in the rough-and-tumble of the Ayrshire junior circuit with the likes of both  Irvine (Meadow and Thistle) Ardeer Thistle, Irvine Meadow (again), Ardrossan Winton Rovers and Dalry Thistle.

In February 2004 he then became  Ardeer Thistle’s  player/manager and was full time ‘gaffer’ on hanging up his boots in 2008-09. Dougie continued his link with soccer by, in June 2011, joining with former Celtic team mate Drew Walsh as co-manager of another junior club Dalry Thistle.  

Dougie has attended a few Association events in the past most memorably our Golf Day reunion in 2010.

Have a really good birthday today Dougie!