Bhoy done well with Margaret at his side

Frank will be known to many for his long career in football which included both playing and coaching at Celtic, assisting Jock Wallace at Motherwell, and leading Raith Rovers to the First Division title.

However, he was just an apprentice metal worker from Airdrie when he met Calderbank lass Margaret at the Airdrie Palais in 1955 when they were both 19.

Five years later, after Frank had served his National Service in the army, they would be married at Corpus Christi Church on June 11.

At this time Frank was playing as a goalkeeper for Blantyre Celtic, but within a year would be on his way to Parkhead after being snapped up by Jimmy McGrory.

He would make eight first team appearances before heading to Northern Ireland for the first of two spells with Portadown, and would also play for St Mirren, Derry City, Albion Rovers and Cowdenbeath.

However, it was as a coach he would really make his name, managing Cowdenbeath, Berwick Rangers and Raith Rovers and being assistant at Motherwell, Celtic and Hearts.

He also enjoyed an unbeaten four-game spell in caretaker charge of Celtic in 1993 after Liam Brady was sacked including a win over Sporting Lisbon.

While Frank was carving his career in football Margaret was very much in charge of the house raising the couple’s seven children, by coincidence both Frank and Margaret themselves were one of seven.

Margaret, who only ever went to see a game once as she wasn’t interested in football, was also a skilled dressmaker/knitter and eventually became a bowler joining the Colville Park club.

Now both aged 84, the couple have lived in Motherwell for 36 years, and look forward to being able to get together with their friends at Dalziel Park in the near future.

Frank and Margaret also dote on their 10 grandchildren and are now great-grandparents to two-year-old Charlie.

Due to the lockdown restrictions the couple were unable to have all the family together at the same time, but their son Martin devised a rota to ensure everyone could see them on their big day.