No matter the score we'll get Doonhammered at final whistle

May 25 2008 By Jordan Costello

BEST mates Les Maxwell and Brian Murphy put their lifelong friendship on hold for 90 minutes yesterday.

The pals from Dumfries temporarily turned their backs on each other to rally two rival batallions of supporters for the march on Hampden.

Les is leader of 'Dumfries True Blues' - the Gers' fan base on the banks of the River Nith.

His best bud Brian led Queen of the South Supporters Club on their historic final quest.

It's a situation that could split families or wreck marriages. But after Rangers' 3-2 victory Brian and Les returned to their local boozer to share a drink and a bit of cup final analysis.

And magnanimous Brian, whose side battled all the way, would have been first to call up a round - because that's what friends do.

The Townhouse Hotel is the meeting point for both sets of supporters with the colours of the two sides on show last week. Rangers and Queens flags and scarves bedecked the bar in the run up to the big exodus to Glasgow for yesterday's game.

The rival fans shared a tipple before setting off with Les taking a moment to muse on the meaning of loyalty - and friendship.

Les has been an Ibrox season ticket holder for 22 years and Brian's pal for longer but he never dreamed they'd be pitched together in the Scottish Cup Final.

He said: "When you pick your team you pick your team for life. Brian and I have been pals since school and I've always supported Rangers and always will."

Brian interrupted to joke: "Aye, I've always been the one with the brains."

Les went on: "I never imagined I'd be going to the Scottish Cup Final to see us play the Queens. I began to travel with the supporters-club in 1981 and became its secretary around 1985.

"In one of my first games in charge we played Queens again in the League Cup and won 5-0."

The pair's friendship has clearly survived some thumping results and other tests but nothing to top yesterday's nailbiter.

Les said: "This was my best final ever because our teams were playing each other.

And despite the result we'll go back and enjoy a drink.

"I'm the one celebrating but Brian's my pal and always will be no matter what."

Dumfries was virtually deserted yesterday as the town emptied up the M74.

As Les left the Townhouse he shouted to Queens fans "Good Luck" then laughed: "Ha, as if I mean that!"

It didn't look as if Queens needed any luck as their superb start to the second half put the frighteners up Gers.

Les's son Graeme had always predicted the final would be no walkover.

He said: "I knew Queens would be up for the match. I have pals at school who are big fans and I used to go to a lot of their games.

"We've been joking about a bit in the past week but it has all been good fun."

Stuart Anderson breathed a sigh of relief and said: "After a horrible week I'm just glad Gers had the energy as they have looked dead recently."

Bus driver Eric Johnson has been ferrying the True Blues from Dumfries for 16 years - but had wanted Queens to win.

He said: "It would have been good for the town. Queens don't normally get to these finals but well done to Rangers anyway." This was the attitude of most fans.

Derek Wells even admitted: "I was glad when Queens beat Aberdeen in the semis - not because I thought it would give us an easy game. It wasn't. It was just great for a lot of people we know."

Dixie McLean laughed: "I had my Rangers flag flying in the garden but my cheeky neighbour took it down and put a Queens one up in its place!"

The Gers fans paid respect to Gary Telfer, the former Queens player who died recently.

One said: "This day is for him because he travelled up to games on this bus."