Peter Lorimer

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Lore & Background

Lorimer was born in Dundee to Janet and Peter Lorimer and was brought up in Broughty Ferry. He attended Eastern Primary School and later Stobswell Secondary School, where he played for the school's football team. After playing junior football for Stobswell Boys and Broughty YMCA, he signed for Leeds United in May 1962 after scoring for the Scotland Schoolboys team in a 4–2 win over England. He made his Leeds debut on 29 September 1962 against Southampton, aged 15 years and 289 days, becoming the youngest player to play for the first team. He came to regular prominence in the 1965–66 season, making 34 League Championship appearances and scoring 19 goals. In the 1966–67 season, a free-kick equaliser against Chelsea in an FA Cup semi-final was controversially ruled out. In the 1975 European Cup Final, Lorimer scored to give Leeds a 1–0 lead, only for the goal to be controversially disallowed. In summer 1971, he had a short spell on loan at Cape Town City in South Africa. He left Leeds in 1979, having scored 219 goals in 616 appearances, winning two League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup, a Charity Shield, and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups. He later played for York City, Toronto Blizzard (1979–1980), Vancouver Whitecaps (1981–83), and University College Dublin (January 1983). He returned to Leeds in 1983, aged 37, and broke the club's goalscoring record, ending with 238 goals from 705 appearances until retiring just before his 40th birthday at the end of the 1985–86 season. He made his international debut for Scotland against Austria in November 1969, winning 21 caps and scoring four goals, playing in all three matches at the 1974 FIFA World Cup. His Scotland career was affected by a ban imposed in 1971 after he spent a summer playing for Cape Town City in apartheid-era South Africa.

In Their Own Story

The only narrative involving Peter Lorimer in the source occurs during the 1–1 draw with Romania on 17 December 1975. As the match progressed into its second half, manager Jock Stein made changes to the Scottish lineup. After 73 minutes of play, John Doyle was substituted off. The text explicitly states that Peter Lorimer replaced him at this juncture. There are no descriptions of goals scored by Lorimer, specific plays he made during the Romania match, or any subsequent impact on the game's outcome in this source.

Reader's Guide

After retiring, Lorimer ran the Commercial Inn pub in the Holbeck area of Leeds. He remained a dedicated spokesman for Leeds United, working as a pundit for BBC Radio Leeds and as a columnist for the Yorkshire Evening Post. He wrote a column in the club's match programme and acted as a summariser for Yorkshire Radio on every Leeds away match. From April 2013 he held the position of club ambassador. On 26 February 2021, it was announced that he had been placed under hospice care due to a long-term illness. He died on 20 March 2021, aged 74.

Did You Know?

• Lorimer's shots reached speeds of up to 90 mph, and one penalty kick was recorded at 107 mph.
• He earned nicknames 'HotShot' and 'Lash' stemming from his powerful shooting.
• Lorimer was the youngest-ever player to play for Leeds United's first team, debuting at 15 years and 289 days.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

Born in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, John Doyle was raised in the nearby community of Viewpark, where he developed a lifelong passion for Celtic football. His professional journey began when he joined Ayr United from his local juvenile side in 1968, eventually making his senior debut two years later. During his tenure with the Honest Men, Doyle established himself as a talented winger, delivering standout performances that caught the eye of major clubs. One such moment occurred in 1975 during a decisive victory over Rangers, which significantly boosted his reputation. His time at Ayr United also included a historic international milestone; he became the first active player from the club to represent Scotland since 1932. This unique achievement highlighted his rapid ascent through the ranks of Scottish football before his eventual move to one of the country's biggest stages.

Memorable Matches and Controversial Moments

Doyle's transfer to Celtic in March 1976 for £90,000 marked a new chapter filled with both triumph and controversy. While he made 168 appearances and scored 35 goals, his career was punctuated by dramatic incidents involving disciplinary action. In August 1977, during a match against his former club Ayr United, Doyle was sent off after accidentally striking the referee in the face while attempting a cross following a handball decision. His furious reaction led him to storm off the pitch, though the red card was later rescinded. Perhaps his most legendary moment occurred in May 1979 during a title-deciding Old Firm clash against Rangers. Despite being dismissed in the second half while trailing by a goal, Celtic fought back to win 4–2 and secure the league championship. This incredible comeback became immortalized among fans as the '10 men won the league' slogan, cementing Doyle's place in club folklore despite his dismissal.

International Debut and Historical Significance

John Doyle's international career, though brief, holds a unique place in Scottish football history. He earned his sole cap for Scotland on December 17, 1975, during a UEFA European Championship qualifier against Romania which ended in a 1–1 draw. Playing while still representing Ayr United, Doyle was substituted after 73 minutes alongside Kenny Dalglish, with Peter Lorimer taking his place. This appearance was particularly significant as Doyle became the first serving member of Ayr United to play for Scotland since Bob Hepburn in 1932. Remarkably, no player from Ayr United has represented the national team since Doyle's debut, making his contribution a singular event in the club's history. His international outing underscored his talent and potential on the broader stage before he transitioned fully to Celtic.