Most unlikely Scottish sporting hero

Published on Tuesday 12 May 2009 19:21

THE Giants of sport

ELEPHANT POLO WORLD CHAMPIONS Chivas Regal Scotland won the first of their World titles in 2001 and followed that success with wins in 2004 and 2005. They relinquished their title in 2006 to fellow Scots Angus Estates, captained by James Manclark, a co-founder of the World Elephant Polo Association. James's own team won the first championship in 1982. In 1986 a team comprising of Billy Connolly, Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach and Max Boyce took part. What next, snake golf?

WRESTLER (OLD STYLE) Born Martin Ruane, Giant Haystacks became a household name in the UK and had a long-running spat with fans' favourite Big Daddy. He became an honorary Scot when he wrestled in North America in the 1980s and 90s as "The Loch Ness Monster". His debt-collection agency, unsurprisingly, was successful. He passed away in 1998 after a long battle with cancer.

WRESTLER (NEW STYLE) "Cousins" Robbie and Rory McCallister wrestle for World Wrestling Entertainment as "The Highlanders". Born in Oban, they made their professional debut in 2002 on the Canadian circuit before being offered a deal with WWE. And, yes, they do wrestle in kilts!

FICTIONAL FOOTBALLER A giant of a man, Hotshot Hamish had a sledgehammer of a shot, which often burst the 'onion bag' and woodwork alike. Tales of his transfer from a small Hebridean island to the Scottish Premier League club Princes Park were told in Scorcher, Tigerand later Roy of the Rovers comics. He later merged with the Jan Molby-esque Mighty Mouse, and the new strip was simply named "Hamish and Mouse". The pair later signed for Glengow Rangers.

(Editor's note: I loved Hotshot Hamish as a child, especially the scrapes he got into with his 'Daddy', a stereotyped Western Isles lunatic, and his favourite pet sheep, MacMutton)

COMICS GOALIE "The Safest Hands in Soccer" was a Scottish goalkeeping forcefield of which nothing could pass, especially if it was white, round and leather. From 1977 to 1982 readers of Roy of the Rovers magazine marvelled at the athleticism of the Tynefield City goalie as shots from all angles were kept out with death-defying leaps. However, his lucky mascot, a toy skeleton called Fred, couldn't save him as he died in a plane crash in 1982. The strip returned as "Goalkeeper" in 1983 with his son Rick, who had signed for local rivals Tynefield United.

&#149 Paul Johnston is co-founder of the Scottish music website www.jocknroll.co.uk