| Jack Lornie | photo edit | |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality | Scotland |   |
| Date of Birth | 02 March 1939 | |
| Place of Birth | Aberdeen | |
| Start Date | 1969 | |
| End Date | 1971 | |
| Biography | 1969-1971 Jack Lornie In April 1969 the directors made the popular choice of Jack Lornie as player manager to succeed Archie Wright. Jack was County’s youngest manager at only 30 years of age and was given full control of team selection and team matters. He had been with the club for the previous four seasons, following his signing for Tranmere Rovers. Prior to being with Tranmere he had played for Leicester City and Luton Town in the English Leagues. His first game was a League match in early April versus Clach at Victoria Park. County won this tie 2-1 with goals form Jim Lynas and John Buchanan. Buchanan, who was to go on to be a success in the English league also, was just a youngster then with a big future in the game. Jack Lornie had persuaded him to return to soccer after several months out playing shinty. Other youngsters given an immediate chance by Lornie were Stephan Pater, and David Stephen (Maryburgh). Dod Krysanowski (better known to many as a successful golfer in Strathpeffer) was also given a game when he replaced Pater who had taken a second half leg knock. Jack took just a few weeks to appoint Sandy Wallace as his assistant manager, persuading Sandy to cross the Struie to join County from Brora Rangers. Sandy was to have specific responsibilities for the reserve team. Lornie’s 69/70 pre season preparations got a terrific boost with a 5-1 win over Aston Villa, who had travelled to Dingwall, with goals from Brownlee, Lynas (2), Sokolowski and Buchanan. The papers felt that County were “responding to Lornie’s spartan like training methods”! Jack Lornie remained as player coach for season 1970/71 but elected to leave at the end of this season. County finished fifth that season, with Caley as champions. Fifteen wins and seven draws from thirty games were just not enough to secure County success. County’s 71 goals were at least 20 less than each of the four teams above them. The loss of Jim Lynas later in the season to Caley seemed to favour the prospective champions much more than it did County. | |