Joe Jordan

Morton

Jordan began his professional career in 1968, joining Morton from Blantyre Victoria for £250. He initially played for Morton part-time. His only Morton goal was in the 4–1 home league win against Partick Thistle on 14 April 1970. That win clinched Morton's place in the new Texaco Cup. Four days later he was involved in the build-up for Bobby Collins' goal which clinched a 2–0 win at Rangers. 39-year-old Collins was Morton's player-coach. He had started his professional career playing for Celtic, the club Jordan supported as a boy. In 1962, Collins had joined Don Revie's Leeds United for five seasons. Revie later described Collins as "the best signing I ever made". As well as his Morton duties, Collins was now also Leeds' scout in Scotland. Collins personally recommended Jordan to Revie. Revie watched Jordan in Morton's Texaco Cup game at West Bromwich Albion. Morton won both legs (2–1 home and 1–0 away) for a 3–1 aggregate victory. Jordan described Collins as his "footballing godfather". Jordan recalled the Rangers game in his book: "I got involved in the move that resulted in a goal for Collins, my hero and, as it turned out, the man who put in the word that carried me to where I wanted to be, at the top of the professional game". In total, Jordan made 12 league and cup appearances for Morton.

Leeds United

Aged 18, Jordan signed for Revie at Leeds in November 1970 for £15,000, plus an extra £5,000 if Jordan made Leeds' first-team. There was little…

On 19 May 1973, three days after appearing in the European Cup Winners' Cup final for Leeds, Willie Ormond gave Jordan his debut for the Scotland national team. Jordan came on in the 74th minute for Lou Macari in a 1–0 defeat to England at Wembley. On 26 September 1973, Jordan scored the winning goal with a diving header in a 2–1 comeback win against Czechoslovakia at Hampden Park. That win confirmed Scotland's qualification for the 1974 FIFA World Cup in West Germany. It was Scotland's first World Cup qualification since 1958. At the tournament, Jordan scored the second goal in Scotland's opening group game, a 2–0 win over Zaire. After a 0–0 draw against Brazil, he scored a last-minute equaliser in a draw 1–1 with Yugoslavia. Scotland finished the group unbeaten, but were eliminated on goal difference. In Scotland's qualification campaign for the 1978 World Cup, Jordan again scored a winning header against Czechoslovakia at Hampden, this time in a 3–1 win. Czechoslovakia were reigning European champions at the time. Scotland wrapped up qualification in Liverpool. The Welsh FA, in a bid to boost gate receipts, opted to host Scotland at Anfield. The match is remembered for a penalty decision 12 minutes from time. Jordan and Welsh defender David Jones challenged for the ball in the Welsh penalty area, from a throw-in by Scotland's Willie Johnston. The referee awarded a hand ball against Jones for a Scotland penalty. TV replays showed that it was Jordan's hand that connected…

Bristol City

Initially player-manager, Jordan was in charge at Bristol City from March 1988 to September 1990 for 134 games. In his first season, City finished fifth in the 1987–88 Football League Third Division. That qualified City for the play-offs in which they lost a final replay to Walsall. In February 1989, City lost 2–1 on aggregate in the 1988–89 Football League Cup semi-final to eventual winners Nottingham Forest. Among Jordan's signings was Bob Taylor from Leeds in March 1989. City bought Taylor for £250,000 plus Carl Shutt, who was valued at £50,000. Taylor scored eight goals in the 12 City league games he played in the 1988–89 Football League season. Taylor's 27 league goals made him the leading scorer in the 1989–90 Football League. Taylor also scored seven cup goals for a total of 34 that season. Robbie Turner was Taylor's strike partner, with Alan Walsh, Mark Gavin and Dave Smith the providers for the strikers. Taylor tore a hamstring in a 4-1 win at Crewe Alexandra, causing him to miss six of the season's last seven games. In Taylor's absence, City managed only one win and three draws. In the last of those six games, City lost 3–0 at Bristol Rovers, who overtook City at the top of the table that day. City were promoted as runners-up to their Bristol rivals.

Hearts

In September 1990 Jordan was appointed manager of Edinburgh-based Scottish Premier Division club, Heart of Midlothian. After a poor start to that season, Hearts had sacked their…

Jordan was born in the village of Cleland, Lanarkshire (sometimes given as the nearby town of Carluke). After leaving school, Jordan became an apprentice draughtsman. At age 15, Jordan had also begun playing for the Scottish Junior Football Association club, Blantyre Victoria.