Roy McFarland: "Dave Mackay Had A Presence And Greatness About Him"

Today, Derby County announced their deep sadness of the passing of Dave Mackay.

Today, Derby County announced their deep sadness of the passing of Dave Mackay.

A Club Legend, an icon, a presence and a winner, Mackay first played an instrumental role at the club in helping the Rams win the Second Division title in 1969 before lifting the First Division title as a Manager of the Club 40 years ago this season.

Whilst he achieved so much on the field and on the touchline, it was the lasting memories that he left with team mates and friends that stands out.

This morning, in the Dave Mackay Lounge, Roy McFarland spoke to Rams Player to remember a man he knows as his teacher.

Mackay was a man respected by all, his ‘presence and his greatness’ touched everyone. Mackay was a man that McFarland considers to be the best he has had the privilege of playing alongside.

“I was 20 at the time and had been at Derby for just 12 months. There had been a lot of changes at the time under Brian Clough and Peter Taylor,” McFarland said.

“A lot of players had come in and a lot had already left the Football Club. Dave, though, was the signing, the major signing, that really turned the fortunes of the Club around.

“Dave came at the start of the 1968-69 season and it was simply an immense signing. I don’t think we realised at that point how important he would be to our futures because there was myself at only 20 years of age, John McGovern, John Robson, Ron Webster, Kevin Hector, John O’Hare and we were youngsters waiting for something to happen.

“His arrival was that moment. We sailed out of the Second Division and what he was like the Head Master and we were the pupils.

“We followed him. When we fell out of line, Brian and Peter were behind ready to tell us what to do and to sort us out, so we were being guided all the time.

“The main guidance, though, was from Mackay on the football field. For me personally, playing alongside him was an unbelievable experience.

“When people talk about Dave Mackay, people tend to talk about the toughness and how hard he was in terms of his tackling.

“What people forget about Dave Mackay was how deft, how delicate and how good player he was. His touch was fantastic, his prowess, his passing was excellent and we were just young kids alongside him wanting to learn our trade. He was our teacher.

“He was a very competitive guy and that was what rubbed off on us. It was his competitiveness in everything he did that stood out about him, whatever sport it was, whether it would be table tennis, whether it be tennis, head tennis or five-a-side, it was serious to Dave.

“Every game was not a fun game, it was serious and as I have already mentioned about the teacher and the pupil, that’s how it was.

“Everyone respected Mackay, even the senior players, they listened to him. Everything that Dave said went on to the football field and also off it too.

“We all had great respect for him and he deserved it. When Dave Mackay walked into a room, you knew that he was there.

“He had that presence and that greatness about him. He was certainly the best player that I played with.

“Mackay was the teacher for me. I was 20 years of age, greener than grass and within three years I was playing for England and I was lucky enough to captain the Championship season.”

McFarland visited Mackay only last Thursday and is amongst seven other players who saw the former Scotland international.

It was a poignant moment that felt like a goodbye, but whilst today is a day of mourning, McFarland wants the 2014-15 season to figure as the ultimate tribute. One where the Rams claim promotion back to the Premier League to replicate Mackay’s triumph of forty years before.

He added: “I went to see Dave last Thursday and the family who have been looking after Dave for the last two or three years.

“I managed to go and, pleasingly, seven other players went down to hospital to see him and in a sense it was our last goodbye. Certainly it was in my case.

“He deserves to be honoured and there would be no better way of doing that than on the pitch this season.

“It is there for Derby, we are still at the top and there aren’t many games to go. This is the business end of the season and everyone knows that every game is very important.

“On behalf of Archie Gemmill and the rest of the squad that is still here and the people that have been involved with Derby County, we wish Steve McClaren, his staff and his players all the best for the rest of the season. It would be a lovely and fitting tribute to Dave Mackay.”