Kevin James: I still think about cup final goal that never was

Wednesday, 30 December 2009 16:25

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Kevin James - exclusive interview with The Away End

By Jamie Milligan

He’s had a career in Scottish football that has spanned over 15 years.

In that time he has savoured the joy and ecstasy of scoring the equaliser in a Scottish cup semi final against Celtic, and the pain and frustration of being sidelined for 18 months through injury.

Kevin James has gone through just about every emotion known to man in a playing career packed full of euphoric highs and devastating lows.

The beanpole centre half, known affectionately as “High Tower” by Bairns fans, broke onto the scene as a 21-year-old gangly centre half back in 1993, and became a regular starter under Falkirk favourite Alex Totten.

With Totten, James played in the Falkirk side that were beaten by Kilmarnock in the 1997 Scottish Cup final, after James heroics had helped his side knock out the much fancied Celtic in the semis. James also played in the Falkirk sides that were crowned first division champions in 2003 and 2005.

Now plying his trade with part timers Ayr United in the first division, the former Hearts, St Johnstone and Falkirk stopper is nearing the end of a career which has been riddled with injuries, restricting James to just over 200 appearances.

It is for this reason that James is just glad to be back playing football.

“It’s good to be back playing,” he told The Away End. “After the injuries I’ve had all I want do is play football.”

James recently signed for Ayr United after having his contract cancelled by St Johnstone at the beginning of this season.

His release may have come as a surprise to some, especially as the giant defender had been club captain up until his lengthy lay off, but not to James.

The 6 ft 7 defender was aware of his fate long before manager Derek McInnes called him into his office.

“I knew it was coming to be honest with you. The club have a tight budget and couldn’t carry any passengers,” he said.

“I had been injured for 18 months, so it was an easy one for the management to make. I was disappointed of course, but I left on great terms and don’t have a bad word to say about anyone at the club.”

James left Perth for the unfashionable town of Ayr, where he joined Brian Reid’s side, who he helped win promotion back to the First Division at the end of last season.

Current boss Reid is just one of the talented young Scottish bosses that James has played under in his career, with current burnley manager Owen Coyle another to have coached him.

James reckons both Reid and McInnes have already proven they have what it takes to succeed at this level and fancies both to go on and have successful careers.

“Billy’s track record speaks for itself. The club were struggling in the Second Division when he took over and within two years he won them promotion to the First Division.

“We’ve found it tough in this division but things have been getting better in the last five or six weeks.”

James continued: “Derek is another whose track record speaks for itself. He took over at St Johnstone and instantly turned them around. He won promotion and is now showing that he can cut it at the top level too.”

It is Owen Coyle however, who has impressed James the most.

The former St Johnstone manager has been a recent target of Celtic and was even one of the early names in the frame for the Scotland job. He has transformed Burnley from a modest Championship side into an established Premiership team, who have taken the scalps of Manchester United and Chelsea already this season

James has been a long time admirer of Coyle and claims he is not at all surprised by his old boss’s success.

“I’m not surprised by his success. He’s a great man manager and always gets the best from his players,” said James.

“He’s a breath of fresh air and is very enthusiastic even in his interviews. He’s now gone down South and has done a remarkable job at Burnley.”

James enjoyed playing under Coyle and McInnes, and is currently enjoying life with Brian Reid, but it is with Alex Totten and later with John “Yogi” Hughes at Falkirk, where James enjoyed the best times of his career.

“In two spells with the club I won two league titles and played in a cup final. I would say it was undoubtedly the highlight of my career. It was a really brilliant time.”

It was in the 1997 Scottish Cup Semi Final where James made his name, scoring an equaliser for un-fancied Falkirk against Tommy Burns Celtic side.

Falkirk went on to stun the Glasgow giants in the replay and book their place at the Scottish Cup final where they lost to Kilmarnock.

Somewhat surprisingly, James does not count his goal in the semi final, or Falkirk’s victory over Celtic as the highlights of his career.

He is much prouder about being involved in the Falkirk side who won the First Division on two occasions.

“For me, winning the league was a bigger achievement,” he said.

“In the cup you always get shocks but in a season you have to be more consistent. Any player would say winning the league is the most important thing.

“Listen, I am not playing down our cup run, it was a fairytale and beating Celtic was a monumental result, I am just more proud about winning the title.”

Falkirk lost that Cup Final 1-0 to a Paul Wright goal but the game remains shrouded by controversy, after Falkirk had a legitimate goal ruled off for offside.

James, who set up that goal, admitted it is still something he thinks about today.

“I was so young at the time but you just think what a chance, what a chance we had to get our names in the history books.

“It is disappointing, especially as our goal was onside. I believe if it would have counted, then we would have gone on to win the game but it’s in the past now and their name is on the cup.”

James insists that despite this heartbreak, there is nothing in his career that he would have changed.

“I wouldn’t change a thing, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would have loved to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona but ability stopped me from doing that. I have enjoyed my career and hopefully I can play for a few years yet.”

It is a career that never really took off. After being filled with much promise, injuries have denied Kevin James the chance to fulfil his potential.

While many of us may have thrown in the towel and looked back with regret and bitterness in similar circumstances, James has refused to let such thoughts enter his mind and has kept battling back every time he is dealt a blow.

It is perhaps this unbreakable spirit and never say die attitude that are the most admirable attributes of a player who has suffered so much.

Throughout his whole career and in the present day, Kevin James, quite literally, has been walking tall.