The forgotten hero of a forgotten war

HE FOUGHT in a forgotten war and remains a relatively unhonoured son of Rangers. It's clear Harold Davis does not crave recognition. Over 30 years ago he took the decision to move with his wife Vi and son Alan to Gairloch, the sort of place where winning four championship medals for an Ibrox club operating at a gearing far above their present level counts for far less than being able to cast a line into the icy depths of Loch Maree.

One might assume that this hankering for a peaceful life evolved out in Korea, as mortar shells slammed down around him. But this is before the 73-year-old Davis reveals a lifetime's dedication to fishing, established when guddling trout as a boy. He might have joined Burnley as a teenager, but wanted to remain closer to his Perthshire home, and the river Tay. How he came to be fighting in a war on the other side of the world requires further knowledge of the man, and the pledge he made to himself when signing up for national service with the Black Watch in 1951.

Like most up-held promises, this one had ramifications. His included injuries so severe that even after battling back to fitness as a professional footballer his disability pension remained valid. He truly was the iron man of Ibrox, one whose tale makes a mockery of those who feel no shame in kissing the famous badge today. The reputation he earned in his playing days stands good to this day. Davis survived a car crash eight years ago which left this seemingly indestructible war veteran with a broken neck.

As we sat and watched Hibs against Hearts on television in his isolated Wester Ross home on Wednesday it was difficult not to blush on behalf of the present day