It was a year book-ended by extreme sadness as a result of the Ibrox and Clarkston disasters; one being a deadly football stadium crush on January 2, the latter earning the dubious distinction as Scotland’s worst peace-time explosion on October 21.
Fifty years on, these twin tragedies, which claimed almost 90 lives, are still mourned, debated, and discussed in fine detail.
Meanwhile, there were other seismic events in Glasgow that were making headlines far beyond the dear green place.
In June 1971, the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders consortium went into receivership as a result of a policy by the then Conservative government to cease offering further support to so-called “lame duck" industries.
In an effort to keep the yard open, union representatives at the shipyard, led by figures including the late great Jimmy Reid, decided to stage a “work-in”, completing the yard’s orders and hopefully dispel the notion that the workers were work-shy.
The government relented to the demands of the workers in February 1972, creating two new firms: Govan Shipbuilders and Scotstoun Marine Ltd.
Prominent financial backers of Reid’s campaign included ex-Beatle John Lennon, who contributed £5,000.
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9. Razor attack
Detective Inspector George Johnstone cigarette in mouth, a special branch detective is slashed by a youth with an open razor in Renfield Street Glasgow during a pro IRA march in 1971. Photo: ALLAN MILLIGAN
10. Sir Donald Liddle lights gas lamp
Lord Provost of Glasgow Sir Donald Liddle lights the last Glasgow gas street lamp in September 1971. Photo: Allan Milligan
11. UCS workers vote Yes
Upper Clyde Shipbuilders workers demonstrate their support of the UCS shop stewards with a show of hands at a mass meeting in Govan shipyard Glasgow in September 1971. Photo: Allan Milligan
12. Clarkston Toll explosion
A section of the road at Clarkston Toll in Glasgow, after a faulty gas main exploded killing 20 shoppers and injuring hundreds in October 1971. Photo: Allan Milligan & Stan Warburton