Peter Cormack - Life and Playing Career

Life and Playing Career

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Cormack was a skilful midfield player who began his career with Hibernian, who he joined in 1962 having previously been on the groundstaff at local rivals Heart of Midlothian while playing for Tynecastle Boys Club.

Whilst at Hibs, Cormack caught the eye of John Prentice who was then manager of the Scottish national side, Prentice awarded Cormack his first cap on the 25 June 1966 in a prestigious friendly with Brazil at Hampden Park, Brazil were warming up in readiness to play in the '66 World Cup which was to be held South of the border in England. Cormack's debut was certainly a memorable occasion as the Scots held the reigning World Champions to a 1–1 draw. He also represented the Scottish League XI six times. Cormack scored 75 goals in 182 games for Hibs.

In March 1970, Cormack was sold to Nottingham Forest for £80,000. In his two seasons at the City Ground, he scored 15 times in 74 league games, 20 in 86 over all competitions. Forest were relegated from the top flight in 1972, as they finished bottom of the league. Cormack was signed by Liverpool manager Bill Shankly in July 1972 for a fee of £110,000. He made his Reds debut on the 2 September 1972 in a league fixture at the Baseball Ground. It was not a dream start for Cormack, however, as Liverpool lost 2–1 to hosts Derby County. Cormack did not have to wait long for his first goal, however, as it came the following week at Anfield, in a 4–2 win against Wolves. Liverpool scored three times in the last 14 minutes, beginning with Cormack's goal in the 76th, followed by a Tommy Smith penalty (80th) and a Kevin Keegan strike (84th).

Cormack was an integral part of the Liverpool midfield as the Anfield club won their first trophies of the 1970s, a League championship and UEFA Cup double in 1973. He had more silverware to celebrate by the end of the following season, as he was part of the team which destroyed Newcastle United at Wembley in the 1974 FA Cup Final.

In 1976, Liverpool completed another League and UEFA Cup double. Unfortunately an injury to Cormack in October led to him missing the rest of the season including the UEFA Cup final, the conversion of Ray Kennedy from striker to midfield by Bob Paisley had dire consequences for Cormack, Kennedy shone in his new role going on to represent England in the position. Now fit again, Cormack could not dislodge the elegant Kennedy to regain his place in the first team, he had become surplus to requirements. In the November 1976 Cormack swapped Anfield for Ashton Gate joining Alan Dicks' Bristol City for £50,000.

Although not challenging for major honours, Cormack enjoyed yet another cup win, this time it was the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1978, City met St. Mirren in the two-legged final, the first leg was at Love Street with City beating their hosts 2–1 with Cormack scoring the winner, the Saints could not beat City at Ashton Gate only managing a 1–1 draw, the draw meant that City's narrow victory in Scotland was enough to earn them a 3–2 aggregate win and, of course, the trophy.

After four years in Bristol, Cormack returned briefly to hometown club Hibernian, finishing his playing career with Partick Thistle where he became manager in 1980. He later took coaching roles in Cyprus and Botswana, including managing the Botswana national side, before returning to Hibernian as assistant manager under Alex Miller.

In December 2000 he had ten days as manager of Cowdenbeath, where he was sacked without the side playing a game. He also managed Greenock Morton between July 2001 and March 2002.

He now works on the after-dinner speaking circuit.