From our archives

5 years ago

A good old head is always better than good a young un. But, when past and present collide, as they did to great effect at the heart of the Motherwell defence on Saturday in their 3-1 victory over Dundee, the youngster provided equally as effective as his senior partner. No wonder boss Mark Mcghee was positively purring afterwards as he talked up the sparkling debut display of 18-year-old centre half Ben Hall alongside experienced campaigner, Stephen Mcmanus.

10 years ago

The new Transport Minister last night used his first statement in office to condemn moves by retailers to halt Christmas deliveries north of the Border.

Shoppers trying to buy presents online are facing major problems after the prolonged bad weather forced some leading retailers to stop taking new orders from customers in Scotland. Keith Brown, pictured, who took up his post on Sunday ,attacked the move as “unreasonable”.

25 years ago

A rampaging mob looted shops and started a number of fires last night after a protest about the the death of a black man escalated into a riot on the streets of Brixton, south London. Shops and cars were set on fire as gang of about 100 black and white youths stormed along Brixton Road. About 50 police officers in riot gear formed a line across the road to stifle pockets of trouble and prevent anyone entering the area, the scene of massive rioting in 1981.

50 years ago

Patients in the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, will have an extra present on Christmas Day. The Infirmary will be the first in the city to receive radio programmes from the new Glasgow and West Hospital Broadcasting Service. Mr George Mcnair, the chairman of the service, which is run entirely on a voluntary basis, said this will be an important event for Glasgow, which is one of the few cities in Britain that does not have a radio network.

100 years ago

The circumstances attending the death of Dugald Mclean Hastings, a railway goods guard, formed the subject of a fatal accident inquiry at Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday. Hastings was run over by a railway engine during shunting operations at Neilston Railway Station. The jury returned a formal verdict and added a rider to the effect that “the engine driver, the under-guard, the fireman and the deceased were all under the influence of liquor.”