Prestwick’s 1971 It’s A Knockout team plan a reunion

Oct 21 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

THEY were the talk of Prestwick 40 years ago.

A team of butchers, students and shopkeepers who became TV stars before an audience of 110 million across Europe.

The Prestwick all stars flew the flag for Britain in the hit game show Jeux Sans Frontiers.

And they had the time of their lives as they battled six other countries in the French town of Vichy.

Now rare footage has surfaced of the 1971 programme and the Prestwick team are going down memory lane.

They are planning an anniversary reunion when they will roll back the years by watching a never seen before DVD of the event.

And they have appealed to the Post to help trace the team and get them back together for a night of nostalgia.

Team member Brian Picken, 60,recalls: "It was one of the best summers of my life.

"We beat Falkirk in the It's a Knockout heat at Prestwick Bathing Lake in May. The programme was hosted by David Vine, Eddie Waring and Arthur Ellis.

"That qualified us for the European version of the programme two months later.

"We got a great send-off when we left the Prestwick town fete at the Toll before flying from Glasgow to London where we stayed overnight.

"Then it was on to France. It was a five day trip with all expenses paid by the BBC.

"I think it's fair to say that we all had a rather good time."

Brian recalls how they took their European adventure seriously.

He and two other team members went ski-ing at Lochwinnoch so they were prepared for the water games which were staged at Vichy marina.

The teams were all dressed as Disney theme characters but it was highly competitive stuff.

Sadly, Prestwick could finish only fourth against teams from Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy and Holland. Winners were Tournai from Belgium.

The Prestwick team was coached by former Rangers penalty king Johnny Hubbard, for long one of the town's best known residents.

Jim Innes was manager while some of the team members were Laurie Hood, Hugh Alexander, Morag Thow, Linda Hubbard, Pat Slessor, John Colville, Brian Morrison, Donald McKechnie, Jim Doolan, Jim Fields, Bill Collin and Ann Beaton.

Jim Ferguson, who owns Wright's Home Hardware in Prestwick, was also in the team.

Now his wife Celia has come up trumps by tracing on the internet French TV footage of Prestwick's big night. And one of Jim's friends has since transferred it to DVD.

The commentary will be in French but it won't spoil the team's enjoyment as they relive the thrills and spills.

Brian said: "It is proposed to have a 40th anniversary reunion on Saturday, November 12 when a DVD of the TV presentation will be shown.

"Obviously, we would like as many of the team as possible to come along and enjoy a bit of nostalgia.

"If you were in the team or know of anybody who was please get in touch so we can organise numbers."

The men to contact are Laurie Hood (tel: 01292 477331) or Brian Picken (tel: 01292 474192).