Surprise visit is just the tonic for Terry

report & photo from John O'Groat Journal: 02 July, 2008

Terry MacLeod (front left) with Tommy Gemmell (front right) and Davie Hay. Behind (back left) is his son, Terry.

A CELTIC fan got an unexpected surprise after he twice missed out on an official visit to Caithness by two of his heroes.

Terry MacLeod could not attend Caithness Celtic Supporters' Club's annual dinner at the Weigh Inn in Thurso. It clashed with an invitation he and his wife Sarah had received for the wedding of Thurso couple John Mackay and Elaine Murray. So club officials decided to include him in a fishing trip they had organised for David Hay and Tommy Gemmell.

But Terry was unable to join the anglers... he took ill at the wedding and ended up in hospital. However, was delighted when the former players paid him an unexpected visit.

The 55-year-old scaffolder collapsed on Friday as some of the wedding photos were being taken outside Strathy Church of Scotland. Dounreay paramedic Steven Maclean and first aider David Mowat were among the guests and sprang into action, rendering expert assistance until an ambulance arrived from Bettyhill.

Terry, who was admitted to Caithness General Hospital, made a good recovery but was kept in for tests and is due to travel to Inverness for an MRI scan today (Wednesday).

The bridegroom's sister, Maria Mackay, said: "It all happened so suddenly. We were standing outside the church and he suddenly collapsed. There was no warning or previous medical condition that might have explained it."

Terry's son, also named Terry, managed to catch him and lower him to the ground. Then Steven and David took over.

"It was fortunate they were on hand, otherwise the outcome might have been different. Terry can't thank them enough and the rest of the medical people - the ambulance and the hospital staff."

Her brother kept in touch with the doctors and was able to inform the gathering of more than 100 guests at the wedding reception, when he rose to make his speech, that Terry was "okay".

Bank worker Maria, of Kinnaird Street, Wick, also a dyed-in-wool Hoops fan, added: "Everyone thought it was a pity that Terry had missed out twice on the Celtic visit and Davie and Tommy volunteered to pay him a surprise visit in hospital. Terry was absolutely delighted. He had met Tommy before, but not Davie. They chatted about how much of a close-run thing the title race had been."

Terry's wife, Sarah - the couple live in Glamis Road, Wick - said that his unexpected turn had been a traumatic experience for everyone concerned but they were relieved that everything had turned out for the best.

She added: "Terry is obviously back to his old self as he is peppering to get home. He says he's going stir crazy but we've told him he's got to stay where he is and get the scan, just to be on the safe side. All the other tests were clear. The visit from the Celtic stars was an added tonic as Terry has been a great fan since he was a youngster."

A spokesperson for Celtic Football Club said: "Clearly Terry is a huge supporter and we're delighted that Tommy and Davie were able to visit him. We hope it lifted his spirits."