Father and son McQuades team up for a feast of football in Fife

Published on Friday 30 October 2009 22:20

PETER McQuade could be accused of having three-way Fife loyalties this weekend but insists his attentions will be diverted in one direction alone.

The former East Fife full-back, recognised by supporters last season as one of the club's best post-1970 players, is now the chairman of junior outfit Dundonald Bluebell. To add a further complication Peter's son, Paul, is a highly-rated striker with Cowdenbeath.

But this lunchtime, as East Fife visit Central Park, Peter insists: "There will be no split loyalties. I had a fantastic time at East Fife, it was an absolute honour to receive a legend's certificate from them and they are very dear to my heart. I am actually also speaking at a supporters' fundraising event next Sunday along with some other former players.

"But this weekend I'll be fully supportive of Paul. I want his team to win and that has never been in doubt; maybe much to the East Fife fans' disgust, I'll be standing among the battle-scarred Cowdenbeath punters."

Peter's stance has caused a few awkward moments in the past. "I went to see Paul playing for Cowdenbeath at New Bayview. A couple of East Fife fans came up to me afterwards and said they hadn't seen me in the stand; I had to explain that I was in with the Cowden fans, which raised a few eyebrows."

Paul's form in blue and white has created waves of its own, and in a positive sense. The striker was twice due to go on trial at Dundee United last season but, on both occasions, injury denied him an opportunity to impress Craig Levein. It is certain, though, that Levein is keeping track of the 22-year-old's progress.

"That was disappointing," Paul recalls. "Even just to get the chance to train with United would have been a great experience. But now I need to hit top form with Cowdenbeath, which I don't feel I have done this season."

Both father and son credit the current Cowdenbeath manager Danny Lennon with having a pivotal influence on Paul's career. A glance at his earlier professional spells backs that up: released after three years at Dunfermline as a youth player, an ill-fated time at Raith Rovers under the infamous Claude Anelka regime, and going junior with Dundonald after a spell in the United States. Central Park has reinvigorated his career.

Lennon is equally appreciative of his player's attributes. "I'm not sure Paul actually realises what potential he has," says the manager. "He has very good strength, he is an elegant runner, has style and is hard-working. He just needs to keep applying himself."

A goal against East Fife would please Lennon further. "It will be a very interesting day for Dad," Paul admits. "He has so many connections at East Fife and their fans hold him in high esteem. I went along to a few games with him when I was younger, although I would never call myself a supporter. But to me, this is just another game, another chance to get three points and build on our start to the season."

Peter's five years with East Fife – he subsequently served Dumbarton and Berwick Rangers – in the 1970s remain the high-point of his career. There were, moreover, comedy moments upon which he can look back.

"We avoided relegation from the First Division in season 1971/2 and were all handed colour televisions as a bonus," he says. "A week later, the police turned up at training demanding them back, they were all stolen goods. I was living with my mum in Inverkeithing at the time, we already had a colour TV so I had sold mine to a girl from my work; I had to turn up at her house as she was watching it, still in my training gear and with a CID officer by my side, to demand it back."

Today, Peter and Paul will race from the Second Division encounter, which luckily has an early kick-off, to take in Dundonald's Scottish Cup tie in St Andrews. "Sometimes dividing my time is tricky, but I always put Paul first and Dundonald understand that," Peter explains. He is reluctant, though, to draw playing comparisons.

"It is for other people to decide what we have in common. A key difference is that Paul is naturally right-footed but can use both feet, something I tried to instil into him, whereas I was very left-sided. It was obvious from when he started playing football that he had natural ability and, unlike me, knew exactly where the goal was – I think I scored five times in nine years as a professional.

"Paul listens to me as much as any 22-year-old listens to their father, not that he needs to."