Invergowrie resident Ron McCabe was most interested in the March 8 article and photograph of Andy Irvine and George Merchant with Reggie Smith.

“I have known George for many years as my late brother Jimmy and he were close friends at Rockwell School in the 1930s,” said Ron.

“George lived at the bottom of Caird Avenue, Dundee, just around the corner from the Five Ways Club, and we lived close by in Lorimer Street. Subsequently, before I retired in 1992, I did business with him when he ran a stationery agency in this area.

“I often saw him at Tannadice as a spectator in his latter years and I understand he also attended Dens regularly.

“Regarding Andy, I first met him in the late 1950s when we were both reps in the licenced trade for the same Dundee company.

“Last year, while on a bus tour in the Trossachs, I met a fellow-passenger who just happened to be Andy’s son.

“A small world!

“As far as Reggie was concerned, being an ‘Arab’ I well remember his days as manager at Tannadice before he moved to Falkirk FC.

“When the Bairns were fighting relegation, he signed George and Andy from Dundee.

“Not only did Falkirk avoid relegation, they also won the Scottish up that season.

“If only United could have followed that example this season. Having supported them since 1942, I certainly wished they had.

“Like United, Reggie had a youth policy and, while at Tannadice, he signed four young local players — John and Jimmy Coyle, Jimmy Reid and Maurice Milne.

“Just last year, I had the pleasure of meeting Johnny Coyle when he visited Tannadice.”

Ron is pictured in the photo (left), which was: “Taken at Parkhead on the disastrous day United lost to the Perth Saints in the cup final.

“With me that day were two of my grandsons Conor McCabe and Callum Anderson, and my son Bryan, who lives in Wakefield but comes north for special games.”

Back to George Merchant, and I asked in our February 16 edition if the G Merchant pictured in an Elmwood JFC cup-winning team was THE George Merchant.

A member of his family confirmed it was.

“Just found the BwB February article on Elmwood JFC,” said Stewart Merchant.

“Both my dad and I confirm that it is George Merchant, my grandad, who played for Dundee and Falkirk, where he also won the Scottish Cup.

“He is pictured bottom left next to a trophy on the photo.”

THE March 22 article under the heading ‘Cap game lasted under a minute’ brought a response from Jim Galloway.

A Scotland team line-up from 1945 listed Harley of Liverpool as right-back.

Jim, who worked as a miner in Methil, and also as a boilermaker, queried: “Would that Harley of Liverpool be Jim who belonged Methil?”

After I confirmed it was, Jim told me a great tale about the former Hearts of Beath player.

“My father told me that one year, around 1934-35 I think, while still playing for Liverpool, he came up to Scotland and took part in the Powderhall Sprint,” he revealed.

“He went into secret training for the sprint and registered under the name of JH Mitchell, of Letham.

“The Powderhall event was a handicap and I’m told Jim gave up eight yards and still won!”

Reader Jim (79), who also worked as a storeman in Woolworths, Dundee, and now stays in Douglas, Dundee, continued: “My dad Bill was a policeman in Liverpool and he used go around with a few of the Everton players at that time.

“He always had tales to tell about players.

“Another football story is when I popped in for a drink one Saturday lunchtime in the 1960s in Jock Thomson’s pub in the Wellgate, Dundee.

“It was a great football pub with photos on the wall such as Billy Steel and others.

“The door then opened and in walked Manchester City manager Joe Mercer.

“He obviously knew Jock and told him he was up to see a Hearts defender called Arthur Mann. The Jambos were visiting one of the Dundee clubs that day.”

Jim Harley was born in Methil, and played for Hearts Of Beath before joining Liverpool in 1934.

In all, he was with the Anfield club for 14 years, playing 118 first-team games at either right-back or left-back.

There was, however, a six-year break through the war years.

After that break, Harley returned to Merseyside and played in 17 games of the first post-war championship-winning side, a side that contained the likes of Jack Balmer, Bill Jones, Berry Nieuwenhuys, Albert Stubbins, Billy Liddell and Bob Paisley.

In addition to the international cap already mentioned, Harley made one other wartime appearance.

The Brechin City dressing-room photo in BwB on February 2 caught the attention of Steve Petrie.

“I saw that picture of Brechin, which included a lad called Ronnie Miller,” said Steve, a former team-mate of mine late in my football career at Douglas Amateurs AFC.

“I wonder if it was the same lad from Fife who was down on trial at Leeds United a couple of times.

“I’m sure he eventually signed for Manchester United, then on to Hibernian.

“Maybe some of your readers can reveal details of his career.

“He was a real hot shot and, along with Derek Johnstone and a guy called Steve Hancock, were capped for Scotland U/15 Schoolboys.

“They were also courted by many senior clubs, with more scouts at some of the games than spectators.”

Steve, who was tracked by English clubs such as Leeds United and Leicester City as a teenager before joining Jim McLean’s Dundee United, continued on another theme.

Suggesting that jiggery-pokery might have taken place, Steve went on: “This might prove controversial but, in a previous issue, one of your readers told about playing in the same Linlathen Secondary football team as Johnstone.

“However, his account of some of the things he wrote about are slightly different from mine and some of my former team-mates at St John’s High School.

“My version of events is that we were beaten 6-3 by Linlathen in the U/15 Dundee United Cup Final at Tannadice.

“Fair enough!

“Kenny Clark ran the St John’s team and he, obviously, wanted to bounce back from that defeat when we met Linlathen soon after in a league decider.

“He asked several of the players their thoughts and it was reckoned the only way to get a result was to make five or six changes.

“This meant bringing in some of that year’s very talented U/14 side, which had just won the Scottish Cup.

“In came Mel Holden, Frank Esposito, goalkeeper Alan Smith, and he pushed Pat Peoples up to centre-forward. Kenny knew Pat was capable of rumbling them up.

“St John’s HS headmaster Brother Bede knew the importance of the game and decided to let most of the second year and third year pupils who wanted to see game attend as the game was played during school time.

“Consequently, you had 50 or 60 ‘Johnnie’ fans on one line and the same from hosts Linlathen on the other.”

Tactics were not very evident in football around that time but Steve recalls: “The game started with DJ up front. He scored a goal, then retreated back to centre-half,

“We equalised but DJ moved up front and scored again, before returning to the back line. It was obviously a tactic adopted by the Linlathen team manager.

“We then made it 2-2.

“Derek was sent up to the front line once more and Linlathen scored again.

“It may not have been Johnstone who scored that one but he was a real handful for any defence.

“As you can imagine, there was much banter coming from the ‘fans’ on the two opposite lines — more akin to an Old Firm derby.

“They were screaming both teams on.

“This is the point, in my opinion, where it all went pear-shaped.

“We needed just one point to win the league title, while Linlathen were required to win.

“Late in game, we were awarded a penalty.

“The supporters on our line went berserk, knowing a goal would allow very little time for Linlathen to score.

“Anyway, as in school games, the home team supplied the referee, which was their team coach.

“Before the penalty-kick could be taken, he abandoned the game.

“Our view was that he knew a goal then would beat his side, so he abandoned game before the penalty was taken,

“All the St John’s guys were screaming ‘fix’, and Kenny Clark was furious.

“We definitely thought we were done out of a trophy!”

Steve also had a spell in Rhodesia playing for Callies (Salisbury), which was made up of and run mainly by Scots.

Later in his career, he played for several Dundee minor clubs such as Fairfield, Douglas Amateurs and Broughty Ex-Servicemen.

CHARLIE Walker has written to feature the early years of the FA Cup, in addition to some quirky stories.

“I came across some tales from a 1921 diary book, which was in a very poor state,” said Charlie.

“I would have handed it in to you to have a look but the pages were flaking if you turned them over.

“One of the first things I noticed was that, in 1841, football was made legal again, and 11-a-side football was tried out at Eton for the first time.

“Seven years on, the throw-in was introduced when the ball went over the touchline.

“In the same year, another rule came in to allow a player to catch the ball but not to run with it.”

Charlie didn’t specify if that last line applied only to goalkeepers.

He continued: “In March 1872, England Wanderers beat Royal Engineers 1-0 in the FA Cup Final at the Kennington Oval.

“Wanderers only made the final after Queen’s Park couldn’t afford to stay in London for a semi-final replay after they drew 0-0.

“At Sheffield in 1878, the first floodlit game was played at Bramall Lane.

“Four massive bulbs were placed on top of 30-foot wooden towers, and two local teams played a game under the lights.

“I’d love to see some sort of charity match played using some of these old rules.”

Charlie, of Lochee, concluded: “The book also stated that a referee named Major Mandarin refereed the first five FA Cup finals.

“It made me wonder if that is the reason why oranges became so popular at half-time.”

Gordon Wallace is well-known for his time at Dens Park.

Spanning a number of decades, he was a player, coach and manager.

However, it is not his Dundee FC exploits that interests one reader.

Jim Howieson, of St Andrews, said: “My dad supported Montrose and he used to rattle off statistics about them.

“I’m sure he said striker Gordon Wallace scored four goals in one game on three occasions in one season.

“Do you have the details of that feat.”

He did, indeed, net four on three occasions but it was over three seasons. However, looking at it another way, they came in a 17-month spell.

His first quadruple strike for the Gable Endies came against visiting Hamilton on April 20, 1963, with three of the strikes coming from the penalty spot.

September 14 of the same year saw his next four-goal haul, this time against Arbroath at Gayfield.

He repeated the feat against Alloa Athletic at Links Park on September 23, 1964.

* LONG before freedom of movement came into being, a prominent Dundee United striker left Tannadice for Liverpool but the Terrors didn’t get the transfer fee. Bob Hynie, of Newport, asked for the details of the move.

Arthur Milne was transferred to Liverpool in 1937 but the Anfield side changed their mind and cancelled his registration.

However, they failed to re-transfer him to United before doing so and this made him — under rules at the time — a free agent. Hibs manager Willie McCartney was alerted to this and nipped in to sign him.

United protested through the SFA to the Football Association but were awarded just a paltry £750 as compensation.

They had previously turned down a £3,000 offer from Chelsea.

No fewer than nine players have scored hat-tricks in Scottish League Cup finals.

Davie Duncan was the first to score a treble as his East Fife team beat Falkirk in a replay in 1947-48.

In 1954-55, the legendary Willie Bauld hit the back of the net three times as Hearts beat Motherwell 4-2.

The famous 7-1 victory for Celtic over Rangers in 57-58 saw Billy McPhail notch a hat-trick.

Rangers striker Jim Forrest actually went one better and scored four as Morton were beaten 5-0 in 63-64.

A very good Hibs side was trounced 6-0 by Celtic in 68-69, with Bobby Lennox helping himself to three of the tally.

The 74-75 final threw up two hat-tricksters.

However, Joe Harper’s three for Hibs was not enough as Celtic — aided by John ‘Dixie’ Deans’ (pictured) treble — won 6-3.

In 83-84, Ally McCoist became the eighth player when he scored three as Rangers edged Old Firm rivals Celtic 3-2.

The last player to hit three in this showpiece game was Celtic’s Henrik Larsson, with Kilmarnock on the receiving end 3-0 in the 2007 final.

Derek Sheridan, like many in the city — and beyond — was saddened to hear of the passing of Marshall Key, aged 83.

Marshall is, without doubt, Scotland’s best-ever ice hockey player — if not Britain’s.

Derek, Bert Ross and Peem Lafferty spoke of Marshall’s great contribution to the sport.

And it’s Marshall’s long-time friend and former Dundee Rockets player Bert who gave the following to BwB.

Bert revealed: “When Marsh (as he was known in hockey circles) took over the coaching duties at Dundee Rockets, he did so with one condition — they must start a youth scheme and give ice time to the youngsters.

“Marsh quickly got to work and arranged for the first youth training session to be held on a Sunday morning at the old Kingsway rink.

“To his amazement, over 70 youngsters turned up for the session.

“Clearly the appetite was there for the sport of ice hockey in Dundee.

“After the first few coaching sessions, Marsh decided to form a team and chose a bunch of enthusiastic youngsters to play for the newly-formed Dundee Mets.

“Amongst those chosen were Graeme (Peem) Lafferty, Derek Sheridan and goaltender Mike Ward — the latter a name to become synonymous in the hockey fraternity in Dundee.

“Marshall arranged for the first game to be played against Kirkcaldy Kestrels in Fife.

“So, on a very cold and frosty Sunday morning, a bunch of enthusiastic 15-year-olds set out on their first hockey venture.”

A scary moment soon ensued, as Bert continued: “We were running late that day, so, halfway through the journey, Marsh, who was standing at the front of the bus drinking coffee, instructed the kids to get their hockey gear on as the bus was travelling, so we could take to the ice in time for the face-off.

“Being excited about the first game, the team hastily followed instructions. All of a sudden, the bus hit black ice and spun a full 360 degrees, swerving all over the road.

“At that point, the front door flew open and Marsh’s coffee flew out the door, soon to be followed by Marsh, who, at the last second, grabbed hold of the pole at the front door of the bus and clung on to safety.

“Amazingly, the bus came to a halt without any damage and we managed to complete our journey to Kirkcaldy with a full roster in time for the face-off.

“The scary event did not deter the enthusiasm of the junior Mets team and they went on to record a 9-6 victory that day, with Peem Lafferty scoring a couple of goals.

“I am sure if you ask Peem, he will tell you he scored more.

“Under Marshall’s coaching, the Mets went on to lift the Coca-Cola league title the following season.”

Names started emerging from that junior team.

Bert revealed: “The junior team went on to produce local talent for the successful Dundee Rockets, with Mike Ward, Charlie Kinmond, Derek Sheridan, Peem Lafferty and Jimmy Pennycook all making the step up.

“Later the following season, Marsh iced Ward, Sheridan and Lafferty against a strong Whitley Warriors team, whose line-up included five English internationals that night — and they shut them out on a 5-on-3 penalty kill.

“Ward, Kinmond and Pennycook later went on to represent Great Britain at national level.

“Marsh’s legacy remains in Dundee with the successful Dundee Stars now being run by Mike Ward.

“Without introducing Mike Ward to the sport, we might not have ice hockey in the city today.

“Without doubt, Marshall Key was the best ice hockey player this country has ever produced.”

Our recent stories regarding Scotland legend Denis Law prompted Derek Cochrane to contact BwB.

“Law has always been a hero of mine as, in addition to being a brilliant player, he always gave his all when playing for Scotland,” said Derek, of Carnoustie.

“Too often, it seems to me, some players give less than 100% when playing in the dark blue jersey.”

I had a feeling Dave was going to come on to another subject, and he didn’t disappoint.

“My reason for phoning you is that, after reading your recent tales about Law, the old story came up with friends about him scoring six goals in an FA Cup tie but ending up on the losing side.

“I always thought it was seven goals he scored.”

Indeed, that query is an old chestnut and always crops up from time to time.

The facts are . . .

Denis Law netted all six goals as Manchester City were leading Luton Town 6-2 in an FA Cup tie at Kenilworth Road on January 28, 1961.

The referee abandoned the match after 69 minutes because of a waterlogged pitch.

In the replay at the same venue, The Lawman netted again but Luton won the tie 3-1.

So, six goals in one match or seven in all, take it any way you want.

Remember, though, the six goals would be scrapped from any records.

Derek concluded: “Law had a second spell with Manchester City in the latter part of his career and I remember seeing him play in a friendly against St Johnstone in Perth.

That game was at Muirton Park on August 6, 1973, with a solitary Rodney Marsh goal giving City victory.

City lined up — Healey; Book, Donnachie; Doyle, Booth, Oakes; Summerbee, Bell, Law, Lee, Marsh.

St Johnstone — Donaldson; Lambie, Argue; Rennie, Macdonald, Cochrane; Hall, Smith, Pearson, McQuade, Aitken.

Punters in a Lochee betting shop, like myself, enjoy hearing Charlie Walker’s tales of quirky goings-on in the soccer world.

Some, though, are casting doubt and reckon he is making it all up.

“Can you find a corner in your column to confirm the following,” said Charlie, a regular contributor to BwB.

“On the day that Bob Shankly’s Dundee FC won the league against St Johnstone at Muirton, I was up at Brechin to see Morton play.

“Several of my relatives are from Greenock and I joined them that day and saw Morton win 9-1.

“If my memory serves me correct, Everton also won by a big score that day, and so did West Bromwich Albion.

“Also, St Johnstone were relegated from the top league in Scotland but did not finish bottom.

“Liverpool were in the English Second Division.”

All of Charlie’s facts are true.

Dundee’s 3-0 win over St Johnstone relegated the Perth side, who were second bottom with Stirling Albion rooted at the foot of the table.

The bottom two were automatically relegated at that time.

That same day — April 28, 1962 — Brechin did, indeed, lose by that heavy score to The Ton.

Everton beat Cardiff 8-3 at Goodison Park. Scorers were Roy Vernon 3 (1 pen), Billy Bingham, Jimmy Gabriel, Dennis Stevens, Derek Temple and Alec Young.

On the same day, West Bromwich Albion beat Blackpool 7-1 at The Hawthorns.

Bill Shankly’s Liverpool were in the English Second Division in season 1961-62 but they won the league title and promotion to the top flight, making it a league double for the Shankly brothers.

Charlie finished off with: “I have not got around to telling them that I also had ‘five bob’ (25p) on the 2,000 Guineas winner that day at 33-1.

“Maybe you can tell them.”

You just have yourself, Charlie.

I’ve always been of the view that ‘real’ football men (and women) read this column.

Every week there are replies to stories on these pages from not just fans but great names in the game, both local and national.

One supporter more than most achieved national cult status because of his love for his team and, not for the first time, Sye Webster got in touch with BwB.

“Must say I love reading Blether with Brown every Tuesday night in the much-loved and missed Sporting Post,” opened Sye, a diehard supporter of Arbroath FC.

“I love photos of old teams and players, some that I’ve played alongside and against.”

Sye continued: “There have been various theories why the Sporting Post stopped.

“My theory is that wives and girlfriends got it stopped as it was a great excuse to get out the house to go to the local newsagents early on Saturday evenings.

“Nine times out of 10, you went in for a ‘quick’ pint before going home and, on some occasions, never got home until the early hours of Sunday morning.

“You then tried to explain to your wife that the newsagents was sold out.

“Consequently, you had to go round every pub in Arbroath until you found one which had some Sporting Posts left!”

With his Red Lichties alliance well to the fore, Sye went on: “Anyway, the main reason I have contacted you is that, over the past few months, I have opened your pages to see photos of the ‘minor’ senior clubs in Angus photos blaring out.

“First, it was our arch-enemy Montrose, who had various photos inserted.

“Then there was plenty of Brechin City and, recently, Forfar Athletic.

“So I am hopeful you will print some photos of the ‘biggest and bestest’ club in Angus — the famous Red Lichties that are Arbroath.”

Sye recalled his early days supporting his team.

He remembered: “I grew up going to Gayfield with my dad in the late 60s/early 70s, watching some great teams and players in ‘Sir’ Albert Henderson’s teams.

“This continued right through to the fun days with Danny McGrain’s ‘Bearded Army’, then the success of Dave Baikie/Mel Irons, then teams under John Brownlie and John McGlashan.

“Then, of course, came the title-winning team of Paul Sheerin, with Stewart Petrie as assistant.

“Hopefully, Dick Campbell can bring back some more success to Gayfield.”

Sye continued with a fabled tale, offering: “A famous sports reporter once asked me my favourite football story.

“I told him my family had once told me that my great-great-great-grandad had the correct score on at the local bookies when Arbroath FC beat Aberdeen Bon Accord 36-0 in the famous world record game in 1885.

“I told him that he bought a farm, four cows, six pigs, a horse and a penny farthing bicycle from his winnings.

“He must have believed it as he printed the story in his column the following Sunday in his newspaper!”

Sye, who signs his correspondence ‘Smokies & Wine, 36-0,’ sent in photos he had taken with Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham at Manchester United’s Cliff training ground a number of years ago.

He said: “I had asked if I could get a couple of MUFC signed tops for charity events for the Special Care Baby Unit at Ninewells Hospital and the local Cancer Research.

“I got a letter back inviting myself and my son Jordan down to meet Sir Alex and all the players and to get both tops signed.

“One condition stated that I brought Sir Alex along some Arbroath smokies, which he loved.

“We had a great time chatting with him.

“He talked about when he played up front with Falkirk with Carnoustie resident and ex-Red Lichtie legend striker Jimmy Jack.

“He was really down to earth and also mentioned Gayfield having the best playing surface in Scotland.”

One of Dundee United’s great players of the 1960s is the subject of a query from Scott Austin, of St Andrews.

“Did Dundee United pay a fee when they signed former player Ian Mitchell from Newcastle?” he asked.

“Also, did he score on his first-team debut for United?”

Falkirk-born Mitchell made his debut at the age of 16 against Hibs at Tannadice on September 29, 1962.

Although United won 5-0, Mitchell was not one of the marksmen, the goals coming from Carlyle (2), Pattie, Irvine and Gillespie.

He played over 200 games before Newcastle snapped him up for £50,000 in July 1970. Just 15 months later, he returned to Tannadice.

I have no files which suggest United paid a fee, just a line which says ‘in exchange for Alec Reid’.

The file also goes on to say Newcastle had been keeping an eye on Reid for a while after he had impressed for United against the Magpies in an Inter-Cities Fairs Cup tie a couple of years previously.

Reid, too, ended up back at Tannadice but had several years at Morton first after leaving St James’ Park.

Over the last few months, we have given details of junior grounds in Dundee being officially opened.

Matt Nelson, of Coldside, asks if North End Park was officially opened with some sort of gala game.

The ground was officially opened on August 14, 1934, by local official DT Patterson with a game between a North End/Lochee Harp Select and Dundee FC. Around 5,000 spectators saw Dundee win 6-1 with goals by Gilmour (4), McNaughton and Mackay. Geekie netted for the juniors.

North End/Harp lined up — Lawrence (Harp); McGaw, O’Rourke (North End); Coleman (Harp), Norrie (North End), Brown; Ferguson, Duncan (Harp), McNeil, McLeod, Geekie (North End).

Dundee — Lamb; Morgan, Hogg; D Russell, McCarthy, Blyth; Quigley, McGoldrick, Mackay, McNaughton, Gilmour.

Above is a photo of the St Columba’s Boys Club team which won the Scottish Cup in 1976.

One of the players, Graeme Irons, is trying to get the squad and other clubmates back together again.

“Initially, I was trying to contact the team members who played for St Columba’s in the U/18 Scottish Cup Final in 1976 through in Glasgow against Claremont Boys Club,” he said.

“We drew the first game 2-2 (I think) at East End Park but went on to win the replay 4-1 at their place.

“Graeme Kinloch scored a hat-trick and John Letford was our manager.”

Graeme listed all the players who played alongside him that year as Ian Boardley, Billy Letford, Mickey Rice, Brian Hutchison, Jimmy Devine, Ian Grant, Ged Kerrigan, Jake Shaw, Ally Clark, Derek Carr, John Reid, John Carr, Ian Ogilvy and Graeme Kinloch.

He continued: “Apologies to anyone I’ve forgot.

“However, the invitation is now to ALL former St Columba’s players from the team with Graeme Payne and Davie Narey all the way through to Gordon and Gary Dunn’s team.

“We are holding a reunion in the F&K Halls, Blackness Avenue, Dundee, this Saturday (June 4) at 7.30pm and would love to see all the guys again.

“We are hopeful John Letford (now a former Lord Provost of the city) will be a surprise guest, so we need as many players to make it as possible.”

Graeme can be contacted on graeme.irons@tayside-contracts.co.uk

Forbes Inglis has lived and breathed Montrose Football Club for most of his life.

From the moment his father joined the Links Park club’s board in the mid-1950s, he was probably destined to write a book on the club.

He has now… and ‘Goals And Gable Ends’ is now available.

In the book, printed by Brechin firm Pinkfoot Press, Forbes, a full-time writer and photographer, tells the tale of the Gable Endies and their almost continual fight to survive financially and their long quest for full league status.

That position was in peril last season when Montrose found themselves in the pyramid play-off.

With old team groups and action photos, Forbes also describes how one of the club’s international players has had this success attributed to someone else, writes about a betting scandal, and explains the connection between the burgh of Montrose and Russian football.

There have been golden moments, too, with the Forfarshire Cup won on several occasions, success in the Qualifying Cup, a League Championship and victories over some of the top teams in national competitions.

Forbes is also a former director, secretary and chairman of Montrose FC.

The last couple of decades saw the emergence of sports bars in towns and cities.

However, in my humble opinion, most were soul-less establishments that just saturated their walls with massive TV sets and switched on satellite sports channels.

A real sports bar — again only my opinion — should be a public-house where like-minded sportspersons congregate.

It would also really be mostly football.

And there have been quite a few locally.

Regular contributor Rob Boag is like-minded, and picks up on this.

He offered: “Today’s description of a sports pub or bar would be something like this — a bar or pub featuring numerous television screens for viewing live sporting events, decorated with sports memorabilia.

“In my Dundee youth, a sports pub or bar was where sportsmen met to share stories of past glories and celebrate heroes of renown.

“In a previous article, I mentioned Frankie Davie’s 1950s pub which sat at the top of Liff Road in Lochee.

“If you had no interest in sports, or had no story to tell, then give Davie’s a bodyswerve.

“One Saturday evening, as I cautiously opened the door into Davie’s, the place was packed.

“Everyone was holding a pint of heavy, hence the caution.

“Over to my left as I eased into the crowd, I heard Peem McCoul tell a couple of disgruntled punters that: ‘Nane o’ youse could pick your nose, never mind a winner!’

“Peem was what was termed at the time a ‘bookie’s runner’.

“He had a physical disability but had a mind and tongue as sharp and dangerous as barbed wire.

“Peem caught my eye and with his good arm, waved, and said: ‘And how is young Robert this fine evening?’

“I gave Peem a thumbs-up, then watched him return to entertaining his audience with inside stories from the dodgy horse racing world.”

Other members of Rob’s family frequented the hostelry, as he went on: “I continued moving to the bar through the various sports discussions that circled and surrounded me.

“Just when I caught sight of my dad and his clique, I heard and saw Frank McGlinchey to my right.

“Frank was describing to a couple of pals how, on a boxing show at the Caird Hall decades ago, he ‘decked’ a so-called Glasgow hotshot boxer.

“And the glimpse of Frank’s footwork in that tight space, and the drop of his right shoulder as he demonstrated his right hook to the heart, told you there was a man who could handle himself in the ring — and out of it! And throughout Frank’s active re-enactment of that bout, he never spilled a drop from his glass — not a drop.

“I must admit at that time as I approached my father and his pals, I wasn’t conscious of their sports status, this was just a group of family friends in a continuous, endless and eternal debate about sports.”

Rob referred to a previous — and ongoing — topic in BwB.

“If you think the BwB article on who is Scotland’s oldest junior club is a recent topic, I was witness to that same query 60 years ago.

“I also recall seeing and listening to Hector and Alec Duncan, Patsy Coleman and Tommy Adamson, who were four Lochee Harp players and all Scottish Junior internationalists.

“In Frankie Davie’s, there were other ex-junior and senior players also former professional boxers.

“They would also tell descriptive tales about their sport, and always with a sprinkle of wit.”

Rob, now resident in Canada, continued: “When Hector was asked to describe his best backheel goal, it was not only the swagger of how the goal was scored but also the threats from the opposing centre-half and goalkeeper that came his way.

“However, it was Hector’s acerbic response to the threats that demoralised the opposing players (and delighted the Davie’s crowd) much more than his outrageous and cheeky goals.”

Boxing was heavy on the agenda, too, with Rob offering: “When pressed, Josie Boag would describe his six-round draw with Benny Lynch at Glasgow Green.

“Benny had an unorthodox boxing style, moving and dancing around the canvas, his arms and hands hanging loosely by his side daring you to come and have a go at him.

“If you were hesitant, Lynch would step forward and punish you.

“Josie described the speed of fists and footwork that allowed you to stay in the ring and stay the distance with Benny.

“However, what Josie marvelled at most was Benny’s entourage.

“Josie had travelled by himself from Dundee to meet Lynch, and a couple of Glasgow friends volunteered to be in his corner. In Benny’s corner — and in the Glasgow Green crowd — was the entire Gorbals population.

“Everyone at Davie’s knew that a draw for Benny against Josie Boag that day was a ‘hometown’ decision.

“In Frankie Davie’s, the stories swirled and settled on you, and soaked and seeped into you and became one with you.

“Tell me of another Dundee bar, another Dundee pub, another Dundee hostelry that produced stories as rich and as grand as any medieval tapestry as was woven in 1950’s Frankie Davie’s.

“The attached photo (top) is from an old Dave Phillips book in my library. It was taken in Frankie Davie’s on a slow 1950’s midweek evening.

“From left — Unknown, George Gallacher, Peem McCoul and Henry McFadyen.”

Seeing Manchester United unveil the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand at Old Trafford in April this year prompted Willie Young to (again!) remind me of his debut.

“And where did he make his debut for Man Utd?” bellowed Fort Hotel regular Willie, with that knowing smile.

“Dens Park!” I replied, reminding him that he’s asked me this umpteen times.

We all laughed, then reminisced just how good a result that was for the Dark Blues on Monday, April 9, 1956. Especially as Manchester United clinched the First Division title the previous Saturday.

Stewart Harris also mentioned this match to me as he responded to several BwB articles involving George Merchant. Most of what Stewart discussed with me has been mentioned before but he reckoned Merchant netted a hat-trick in that Man U game.

Indeed, he did and Dundee’s other goals came from Alan Cousin and George O’Hara.

Dundee lined up — Brown; Gray, Irvine; Black, Stevenson, Cowie; Stables, Cousin, Merchant, O’Hara, Ritchie.

It wasn’t Manchester United’s strongest line-up, it has to be said. I’ve put their league appearances in their Dens line-up — Wood (42); Greaves (15), Kennedy (0); Goodwin (8), Jones (43), McGuinness (3); Berry (35), Viollet (35), Webster (15), Charlton (0), Pegg (36).

Whelan (13) came on as sub when Wood went off injured, Kennedy taking over in goal.

Many of the pupils still represented the ‘Menzieshill’ brand even after leaving school.

Adult teams bearing the name sprung up — and one ended up being crowned champions of Britain.

In 1984, Menzieshill Water Polo Club (ladies) qualified to take part in the preliminary and quarter-final rounds of the ASA Championships at Liverpool University.

Menzieshill took part alongside such top names in the sport such as Birmingham University, City of Coventry, Bedford, Kettering, Merseyside, Nottingham and Portobello.

Despite getting off to a sticky start with a 2-1 loss to Nottingham, the Dundee side responded brilliantly with a crushing 9-1 win over Kettering and an even more substantial 13-0 thrashing of Bedford.

The next game saw Menzieshill come from behind to beat Coventry 4-3 — setting up a semi-final/finals day appearance at Pingles Pool, Nuneaton a few weeks later.

Hill came flying out of the blocks and went into a 4-1 semi-final lead against Merseyside, dominating all the periods to finish 8-3 victors.

Cup holders Runnymede were the opponents in the final and were beating Menzieshill 4-1 at the end of the second quarter.

However, the Dundee girls picked up the pace and banged in six goals without reply in the third period to lead 7-4. This proved too much for the English side and Hill continued to dominate and finished up 10-5 winners.

Those among the goals in that British success included Debbie Mochan, Angela McGoldrick, Evelyn Pountney, Arlene Mochan and Cheryl Sutherland.

What  started out as a rumour has turned into stark reality and, this week, Menzieshill High School in Dundee closes its doors.

Plans to demolish the much-loved school begin soon.

While there soon may be no concrete standing, memories of good times at the establishment will never leave those who attended and worked there.

Frank Jordan, the Evening Telegraph’s swimming and water polo correspondent — and a good friend to this column — is but one who is extremely saddened at the turn of events.

Frank, however, has remained positive and has furnished BwB with a list of pupils who excelled.

He opened: “In its 45-year history, a large number of Menzieshill High School pupils have made their mark in business, medicine and sport.

“As a member of the PE staff, I saw a number of pupils excel in various sports representing their school, city, Scotland and Great Britain.

“It was down to the enthusiastic pupils and good coaching by PE teachers and staff from the main school.

“I doubt if there is another school in the UK can equal Menzieshill’s achievements and a number of their records still stand today.”

It’s in the swimming pool that the school really excelled.

• Meenie polo girls were British champions in 1984

A very proud Frank went on: “The team was formed in March 1973 and won their first Tayside championships in 1973.

“They won all the Tayside championships, boys and girls individual championships, the 100m freestyle and both team events.

“This record still stands today.

“In December 1973, they set a world record for the 20 swimmers 24-hour 100-mile relay and they repeated the same feat in 1977 and 1980.

“They were the only school team to have relay teams in all the boys and girls finals in 1977.

“They held tours from the Orkney Islands to Penzance in Cornwall and a number of the swimmers represented Scotland in the Scottish Schools and Scottish Swimming Association internationals.

“Billy McGoldrick swam in two Commonwealth Games and he and his sister Angela gained scholarships at Houston University.”

Water polo was another aquatic sport where Menzieshill pupils excelled.

Frank enthused: “They won all the Tayside school championships, the U/14, U/16, seniors and girls and a large number of their players were chosen for Great Britain and Scotland.

“Annette Mooney played for Great Britain and took part in two European Championships and one World Championship.

“And she was captain of the Menzieshill Ladies team that won the British Championship in 1984. Again, this record still stands today.

“Annette passed away two years ago and, for her achievements in the sport, she was inaugurated into the Scottish Swimming Hall of Fame.

“She was the first female player to be awarded this honour and is only the second polo player in the Hall of Fame.

“When Menzieshill school closes, the last international player who still represents their school, club and country and Great Britain is Hannah Edwards.

“Hannah started taking up the sport at the age of 13 and is still in the GB U/19 squad.”

• There were other sports bringing glory to Menzieshill High

Frank concluded: “Personalities also appeared at Menzieshill.

“Ron Pickering visited the school twice with the programme We Are The Champions, and Menzieshill twice reached the finals.

“In 1977, David Wilkie, who won the gold medal at Montreal in 1976, presented a trophy to a hockey team and, afterwards, had a meeting with the swimmers.”

Versatility in sport was to the fore, however, as Frank continued: “It wasn’t all swimming and water polo as the evening classes were very popular with the community and provided groups for all age levels, while primary schools in the area were catered for.

“I’ve listed a number of pupils. I may have missed some names out, for which I apologise, but I saw these people excel in their sports.

“In athletics, there were John Zuck and the O’Parka brothers, Richard and Jonathan.

“Cyclist Kevin Stewart trained with Chris Hoy for the 2012 Olympics and took part in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010.

“Fiona McNabb was a first-class golfer and took part in senior women and junior tournaments throughout the world.

“Colin McNabb represented Scotland at chess in various tournaments.

“Brian Bell, who is a weightlifting champion, won Strong and Iron Man competitions.”

n See below and right for more.

The football, basketball, netball and hockey teams over the years also brought glory to Menzieshill High School.

Several hockey players under, initially, the late PE teacher Tom McAlinden represented Scotland at various levels from U/16 and on to Great Britain level.

These included Gavin Byers, Ross Yule, Michael Chalmers, Bruce Cuthill and Jon Christie.

Gavin Byers has over 100 caps for Scotland, now captaining his country, and represented GB at U/21 level.

Jon Christie is currently coaching in Australia and was capped by Scotland and won a European indoor silver medal at the European Championships.

Michael Chalmers was the first pupil to be capped by Scotland in 1977, while Bruce Cuthill represented his country at all levels with over 150 caps. Ross Yule was recognised at U/18 to U/21 level.

Gavin’s sister Laura was an U/18 cap and went on to win the French national title with Merignacs HC.

Another family connection is Ross’s sister Mandy, who represented Scotland at U/18 level.

Audrey Sime and Laura Aitkenhead were picked for their country at junior level.

The basketball team picked up many honours thanks to the skills of players such as Jim Pearson, Robin Paterson, Brian Jenkins, Neil Lonie, Alan Brooks, Gary Barclay, Sandy Flight, Bruce Hutton, Stuart Henderson, Laurie Hill, Bruce Todd, Andy Moir, Ralph Dorward, Alan McLafferty, Neil Brown, Dave Stewart, William Rennie, Colin Coutts, Dereck McBain, Jimmy Reid, Arnott Tippet and Keith Swindley, among others.

Trophies were picked up by the football teams with regularity and some of the more famous names to go on to senior level were Stevie Campbell (Dundee), Mark Fotheringham (Celtic and Dundee) and Simon Ferry (Celtic and Dundee).

The netball team won various school championships and, in rugby, U/14, U/16 and senior men’s teams were successful.

Laura Keen was an outstanding skater and represented her country and Great Britain in tournaments throughout the world.

The sad news in May that former Lochee United, East Fife and Forfar Athletic striker Jim Finlayson passed away brought back many memories.

As a young teenager, I used to watch Jim banging in the goals for Lochee United in those wonderful night games the Dundee junior sides used to host late in the season in the 1960s.

A few years later, I would be his team-mate at East Fife, travelling to and from Dundee to Methil with him to training and matches.

Jim was an all-round great guy and was lethal in front of goal with a rocket left-foot — but was very unassuming regarding his achievements.

I’ve told this story before but it’s worth repeating.

His goalscoring had alerted several clubs and one, Crystal Palace, wanted him down on trial.

Jim agreed to go, and had booked flights after a home game.

However, as luck would have it, he never made the trip as he suffered a bad leg injury that afternoon.

Sadly, he wasn’t to get another opportunity.

Jim went on to play for Forfar Athletic and scouted for Dundee, in addition to running a Broughty boys team for a spell.

The photos show Jim in action (above) for East Fife and with me at an East Fife reunion a couple of years ago at Bayview.

THE thirst for knowledge of all things Celtic by local Hoops supporters continues with a query from Brian Moran, of Monifieth.

“I have many books on Celtic but I can’t find anything about the bizarre time they came back from a European game and played a league match the following afternoon,” said Brian, a retired NHS worker.

“All my family are Celtic fans and my dad, also Brian, and several of my uncles often brought up this incident.

“Do you have any details of this?”

What they may be referring to happened in 1966, the year prior to the Parkhead side winning the European Cup.

Celtic, 3-0 up from the home leg, met Russian side Dynamo Kiev in the away leg of a European Cup-Winners’ Cup tie in Tbilisi on Wednesday, January 28.

The tie was switched to Tbilisi as Kiev’s home ground was unplayable.

After a 1-1 draw had secured progress to the semi-finals, the Celtic party stayed overnight and flew out from Tbilisi airport on the Thursday morning.

Whether they were scheduled to stop in Stockholm or were forced there by adverse weather isn’t clear but they found themselves snowbound in Stockholm that Thursday night and couldn’t fly out until Friday morning.

It was mid-evening on Friday when the Celtic team touched down at Prestwick Airport.

Jock Stein immediately whisked the players away to Parkhead for a training session.

It proved all too much, though, and Celtic lost 3-2 to Hearts the following afternoon at Tynecastle.

An aside from that game in Edinburgh is that a Hearts player called Willie Wallace (right) did most of the damage to Celtic.

Jock Stein is reputed to have said: “I want him!”, and soon after Wallace joined Joe McBride as the dream team strikeforce Celtic had been looking for.

Fate took a turn and, as history shows, McBride suffered a bad knee injury and Wallace was paired very successfully with Steve Chalmers.