I started playing football in earnest at Cumming's Park Primary and was part of the Aberdeen Primary Schools' Select fro 1956 to 1959. At Northfield Secondary, I was lucky enough to be picked for the senior team and was a fixture in it for five seasons, 1959-63. Two of that team were also in the Scottish Schoolboys' Select, Jocky Scott and Colin Jackson. Some other now-famous names were also in that side, Eddie Gray, Peter Lorimer, Jimmy O'Rourke and Arthur Thomson. Another weel-kent footballer played in that Aberdeen select, Martin Buchan, the Aberdeen and Manchester United sweeper. Another team-mate was Ian Taylor, a player I've crossed paths with on numerous occasions since! On leaving school, I went to Banks o' Dee from 1963-66 and won every possible trophy except the Scottish Juvenile Cup. I'm proud to say that I also broke the goal-scoring record with them, 75 in a season!
I was signed by Tommy Pearson for Aberdeen in 1965 and was freed by Eddie Turnbull in 1969, my worst ever football experience. I played only six times for the first team, lost only once AND scored a goal against Motherwell. I was a regular reserve player of course and won a fair few trophies. Some of the players I admired most were Jens Petersen, Charlie Cooke, Harry Melrose, Billy Little, Jim Storrie and Tommy Craig. I accompanied the team to Belgium for a Fairs Cup tie against Standard Liege but I missed an American tour of six weeks' duration when I was injured just a week before leaving and, with stitches in the wound, I was left behind. I was sick about that!
I've had many happy times with Thistle. All our trophy successes of course and also our runs in the Scottish Cup, especially those against Ayr, Falkirk and East Stirling. My proudest moment? It has to be when I was appointed manager, followed closely by my fist cup win in the "hot seat." It was against Caley in the North Cup and we went into the game very much the underdogs, but we won the trophy for the first time in nearly 20 years. I was a happy man that night!
I've joined Elgin City now of course and my playing days are strictly numbered, except in emergency. I've still got a few years' cricket in me yet. I play for the Artisans in the Grades League and I'm also a keen golfer. I'm hoping that my enthusiasm for this game will soon be matched by my handicap!
Source: Ian Cumming's programme notes for his testimonial match in the programme Inverness Thistle v Aberdeen 1982-08-03
"Ian Cumming, a 21 year old inside forward, has indicated that he will shortly sign for Inverness Thistle. His Pittodrie contract has yet to expire but the formalities are expected to go through shortly. Ian, who married recently, is to move shortly to the Inverness area where he has obtained a new job and accommodation."
Source: Football Times, 28th June 1969
Ian died in Aberdeen in 17th December 2019.
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