Hello To All, My Father is a Canadian who played for the Paisley Pirates in the 1950's. The NHL being so small at the time forced a great deal of Canadian marquee players to play in Europe. I was just wondering if there was any where I could find pictures or articles on the hockey club at that time. I hope you can help. Marc Boucher

In response to your notes about anyone remembering Ray Boucher, I keep in touch with John Naismith who was the Paisley Pirates Supporters Club Treasurer as long ago as 1958. I spoke to him today and he has a very clear recollection of Ray as a class act who represented the Pirates with distinction for a number of years in the mid to late 50's, at a time when there were a lot of Canadians playing over here, as your noticeboard suggests. John is now retired and living in Norfolk after spending the last 40 odd years in England but he's coming up in March for a visit (and is desperate to see the Pirates in action). Will be happy to ask him if he has any other recollection of players-he's talked a bit about guys like (Tommy?) Lemmon and others who played for the Pirates about then and I think there's a genuine interest among supporters about players who represented the club even before they were born, just to get a handle on the history of the club. Bill Elliot

I have looked up some info on Ray Boucher. He played for the Pirates as a defenceman in the 1954/55 season, when he was 23 years of age. He came from Kapuskasing in Ontario, Canada.He played in all but one of the matches Pirates played that season. In the 40 British League games he contributed 15 goals and 18 assists whilst racking up 63 minutes in penalties. In the Autumn Cup, he missed one of the 22 games, but scored 4 goals, 5 assists and had 28 minutes in penalties.He was the 72nd top scorer overall of 192 players that season in Britain.That season the Pirates finished third in both the British League (which saw 7 of its 11 member clubs coming from Scotland) and the Autumn Cup.-Stewart Davidson

I’m writing a book. Has anyone any info or old Photos of the inside or the outside of The East Lane Ice Arena that used to be in Paisley.

As for the rink at East Lane, I never saw the Pirates play there, but have heard some amazing stories about sell-out crowds of 3,000 there on FRIDAY nights for the hockey-oh for crowds like that now! Have very hazy memories of seeing some great tennis players in action there, as is mentioned. It was in the era when the really good players went professional, and thus couldn't play in the major events like Wimbledon, so they spent their career touring and playing exhibitions like those seen at Paisley. Bill Elliot

Does anyone remember the Pirates or the Mohawks playing a friendly match against a Foreign National side possibly from Dubai, at the Lagoon Centre in the early nineties. It was a late face off, after 12 o’clock at night. I think the management had arranged it as the Foreign side had been in Glasgow and had been skating at the St. Enoch Centre ice rink. -Tuno

In response to Tumo ... the match you are thinking of was probably against a Kuwait team. In fact, the entrance to the Kuwait ice rink carries a large display of photos of Kuwaiti guys around Paisley, including several from the foyer of the Lagoon. I will try to find more info from some old friends in Kuwait.- Qarsaan

Does anyone have any photos of Coach Stirling Wright of the 1999-2000 season.
I'm still in contact with him, and he's looking for copies of any photos of
him so if anyone has any that would be great. - Yvonne

I noticed an item on Pirates site, from someone called Yvonne asking for Stirling Wright photos.The attachment is a lo-quality scan of a photo that was on the wall of my "pub" in Kuwait for 1 year. It is the Pirates of 1999. After Kuwait, the photo spent 1 year in my Saudi office, 6 months in my Brazil office, and after next weekend will be back in Brazil. If you would care to put Yvonne in touch with me, we may be able to arrange exchange of a better quality copy. Maybe even print of a print.- Stewart Gray

Hello Again, I appreciate all u have done. What I am trying to do is gather some pictures and articles in order to make a framed display with my father's hockey legacy. He's getting on in age so I felt this was a good time to take on this project. I will get in touch with the contacts u have provided me. Thank You Very Much Once Again - Marc Boucher.[ C'mon Pirates Fans. Let's see what we can do for Marc - John]

I used to go to Crossmyloof to see the Dynamos, with the big derby match being against the Mohawks. There used to be a bunch of mental women who came along to support Paisley and they howled abuse for the whole match. Their prime target was the young Shields boy. Whatever happened to him? The matches used to be pretty physical, surprise surprise. Onto the present day, and the team deserve a lot of credit for their performance up at Camperdown, especially with so few skaters. A couple of superb goals, with the wee netminder on top form. Hopefully that's the Killie match out of their system - .Auld Dynamo

In response to Auld Dynamo's query about the mad women who went to the old Crossmyloof rink to support the Mohawks and shout abuse at the Shields boy, they were actually speedway fans who gathered during the off season to catch up on their speedway fans and keep their tonsils in good shape over the close season. Crossmyloof was the favourite venue for a lot of Glasgow Tigers fans like myself in those days and we all tended to support the Mohawks because, well, nobody else did! I can remember guys like Billy Miller, Alex Kelly, Alex Churchill (yes, father of current Pirate John), and a great Canadian Shawn Niskanen who was reputed to be at least part Red Indian and who could play either between the sticks or forward, all turning out for the Mohawks, who didn't win very often, but we enjoyed supporting them anyway! Bill

I'm currently writing a book on the History of Ice Hockey in Ayr, and am looking for info on former Paisley Mohawk Jimmy Allen, specifically date/place of birth. Jimmy represented Great Britain in the 1963 World Championships in Sweden when an Ayr Rangers player. At that time, he lived in Linwood and worked as a gasfitter in Paisley. If anybody can help with a current address/phone number it would be appreciated. Thanks David Gordon

To the gentleman looking for info on Jimmy Allan, could I suggest you can contact him via the Lagoon-Jimmy coaches one of the junior teams and is never
away from the place. I'm sure if you give Gil MacDonald a ring at the rink on 0141 889 4000 a message can be relayed to him, or a letter via the Lagoon
would no doubt find its way to him. Bill

Many thanks again - thanks for your help. Regards.- David