Ross County Database

1977-1979 Bill Cassidy

Following Wallace’s brief spell in charge Bill Cassidy was given the managerial reins. Bill, a former Brighton player, had only recently turned down the opportunity to manage Caley having steered Brora to a then all time high of 4th place in the Highland League. Bill started his spell with a visit from Rangers (Glasgow) who beat the County 4-0. This game saw the debut of Davie Cooper for the lbrox side. Cassidy’s first competitive game also ended in defeat, 3-2 to Clach in the League Cup.

By November however he had led them to a club record of twelve league games without defeat and County were sitting at the top of the table. This record was lost to Nairn at Victoria Park. County continued to lead the League right through to April but a couple of costly home draws proved their undoing as Caley stormed through and eventually pipped Peterhead (with County coming third) to win the league, thanks to a last day 6-3 win over County (Reflections in the Ross Shire Journal had this at 6-4 but I’ve only ever seen 3 County goalscorers). Reviewing the league table it was another dramatic end of season day in the Highland League Caley had 49 points, Peterhead 47 and County 45, so a reverse of this score would have seen all teams on 47 points. Am I correct in thinking that goal difference was in play by then? It was only a few years after the County/Thistle play off game. Peterhead would have won the title on goal difference (did they win that day?).

In the following season Cassidy led County to the Highland League Cup, defeating Rothes 3-1 at Kingsmills Park in the final. A few weeks later the Inverness Cup also made its way to Victoria Park, this time following a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Inverness Thistle at Telford Street Park (home of Inverness Caledonian). County also put in a challenge in for the league title, however some disappointing results late in the season saw County finish 5th and Cassidy resigned at the end of the season.

In total Bill was in charge for 60 league games and saw 36 victories and 11 draws. County scored 125 goals conceding 74. Bill sadly passed away in his mid 50’s in 1995. His senior football career would be best remembered for over 100 appearances for Brighton & Hove Albion but I was most interested to see he spent a season playing professionally in the USA and for the Detroit Cougars (I think in their second and last season)