Barry Sullivan, who is very helpful to BwB in his capacity as Archives assistant in the vast DC Thomson library, came up with this cartoon (below) while searching for something else for me.

“I thought this would be interesting as you were researching the time Dundee took on AC Milan in the semi-final of the European Cup in 1963,” said Barry.

The caption says . . . “I found the old one a bit on the small side.”

Now, what does this refer to, some of you may wonder.

I may not be 100% correct on this but there was a school of thought there was some jiggery-pokery going on when the Dark Blues lost 5-1 in the San Siro Stadium.

Dodgy decisions by the referee was one thing but the other I remember being a complaint against the ‘home’ photographers, who congregated behind Dee keeper Bert Slater’s goal.

When a high ball came over, it seemed as if they were all flashing their bulbs at the same time in an attempt to temporarily blind the Dens keeper.

I remember one wag writing in the local press in the days after saying that Dundee should fit a searchlight at the side of the AC Milan goalkeeper’s post in the return leg.

So maybe this photo was a take on that.

The other photo Barry gave me (top) is from the same European Cup run and is a rare picture of Dundee training in Brussels just prior to taking on Anderlecht in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

Seeing Pat Quinn featured in a Hibs line-up on April 19 prompted an old friend to get in touch.

“I remember you telling me tales of Pat Quinn during your time with East Fife,” said Willie Donnelly, of Monifieth.

“One story in particular stands out when he locked the team up in a hotel, dropped you from the team for a big game and brought you back straight after.”

I was with East Fife in their promotion-winning season of 1970-71 — and we were winning most games.

One setback, though, came on New Year’s Day 1971.

That was in the days of playing two games over that period, with a match on New Year’s Day and another scheduled the following day (January 2).

East Fife were playing Raith Rovers — under former Methil manager Bill Baxter — at Stark’s Park on January 1, followed 24 hours later by a home match against Alloa Athletic.

Manager Pat Quinn arranged for the team to spend two nights in a Leven hotel.

It was, to put it mildly, quite boring in that establishment on Hogmanay.

This was still mainly the time of black and white TV and also was the pre-mobile era (around 30 years prior!).

I remember one of the highlights of my evening was queuing up at the payphone to get in touch with my family and girlfriend.

To further add to my woes, I was not selected to play against the Kirkcaldy side and watched the 2-1 defeat from the stand along with over 8,000 more spectators.

We just didn’t play well at all and Raith could — and should — have won more handsomely.

As I made my way down to the despondent dressing-room after the game, player-boss Quinn caught me at the door and said: “You are in the starting line-up tomorrow, Big Man!”

Although I stood at just 5ft 10in in my stocking soles, getting the nod for the following day made me feel 10ft tall.

For me, that was masterstroke No 1 from the boss. His second came when we went back to the hotel.

He summoned a few of the senior players together and it was decided to let us ‘out on the town’ that evening, with the senior players entrusted to ensure nobody stepped out of line.

The town in question was Kirkcaldy and a small fleet of cars headed along the coast.

I can say in all honesty that no-one stepped out of line and we enjoyed a few beers and a bit of banter.

So much so that the dressing-room was buzzing prior to the Alloa game and we ended up winning 3-1 — and it should have been a lot more.

I met up recently with former Brechin City and Dunfermline Athletic midfielder Billy McLardy.

Billy, who also had many successful years with Carnoustie Panmure juniors, was in good form and recalled a tale from one of those Gowfers victories.

“It was the semi-final of the Currie Cup in the early 1970s, which was probably the biggest cup tournament locally outside of the Scottish Junior Cup,” said Billy, now retired after many years working for Tennent’s.

“We were playing Jeanfield Swifts with the score at 1-1.

“A long high ball was lofted into Jeanfield’s box and our striker Dave Martin backed into a Jeanfield defender.

“The referee, quite rightly, blew for a free-kick.

“However, before the game got under way again, the Swifts player took umbrage at the challenge and swung a punch at Dave.

“The referee intervened, then, controversially, awarded Carnoustie a penalty-kick.

“I certainly thought the decision was wrong and so did Jeanfield, who surrounded the referee in protest.

“Anyway, when it all (slightly) calmed down, as the penalty-taker, I placed the ball on the spot. As I prepared to start my run-up, a Jeanfield player came from behind me and kicked the ball miles over the bar.

“He was booked and I re-spotted the ball.

“A different Swifts player then repeated the act.

“He was also booked before I, once again, placed the ball on the penalty spot.

“Unbelievably, a third Jeanfield man did the same! By this time, the match official had had enough and abandoned the game.

“We were awarded the tie by the governing body and went on to beat a very good Arbroath Vics side in the final.”

An hour later, I bumped into his Carnoustie skipper at that time, Dennis Docherty, and he confirmed the tale as true.

Previous articles in this column have highlighted Dundee United’s change of club colours.

The general consensus is that United, playing for most of their history in black and white, changed to tangerine after a couple of close-season stints in America representing Dallas Tornado.

However, one Broughty Ferry resident reckons this is not so.

And he should know, given his connection with the Tannadice club.

In fact, he goes on to give full credit for the colour switch to his mum, Barbara!

The person in question is Gil Kerr, son of former United manager Jerry Kerr.

“I’ve been reading with interest your Blether with Brown articles on Dundee United’s colour change in the 1960s,” said Gil, who also featured recently as a Scottish Juvenile Cup winner with Maryfield United.

“I can distinctly remember a conversation my mum and dad had.

“It came after a United v Aberdeen game at Tannadice on a cold, wintry afternoon.

“My mum’s observation was that United’s all-white (with black trims) strip gave a cold impression. I remember her saying along the lines: ‘All the players look awfy cauld in that strip!’

“By contrast, she observed, Aberdeen’s players — in their imposing red strips — looked bigger, stronger and fitter.

“Not only that, the Aberdeen fans in their red colours stood out far more than United fans. My dad actually agreed.

“So, before they actually made any trips abroad to wear tangerine, moves were already afoot in the Tannadice boardroom to switch to a brighter colour.”

On another note, did you know Jerry’s proper Christian name is Jasper?

He was born Jasper Jerald Kerr.

Our article on players scoring hat-tricks in Scottish League Cup Finals caught the eye of a former Member of Parliament.

“Sorry to be a bit pedantic but the League Cup Final where Henrik Larsson scored a hat-trick was in 2001,” pointed out Jim McGovern, recently retired as an MP for this city.

A quick check shows a typographical error as we had 2007 and not 2001.

Jim continued: “I remember that final well.

“My wife Norma and I had gone to New York for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations and the final was on the following day, Sunday, March 18, 2001.

“The kick-off Hampden time was, of course, 3pm, which meant 9am in Manhattan.

“We were going to a well-known Celtic pub in Manhatten — the Parlour Bar on West 86th Street — and were advised to be there before 8.30am to be sure we would get in.

“We followed that advice and, sure enough, we got there around 8.15am.

“I paid $10 for my entry fee, with no charge for women.

“Right enough, the place was mobbed.

“What we hadn’t realised, and this was completely unplanned, was that it would be an impromptu Dundee reunion!

“The Dundee people I remember watching the game with included Danny Reilly, Steve Reilly (no relation as far as I’m aware), Jimmy Marr, Paul Fitzpatrick, Stan McInearney and Ronnie Christie.

“There were probably more but I can’t remember them all.

“A great day was had by all.”

As he was to many generations, Tom Hermiston was my PE teacher all those years ago at Morgan Academy, along with Stan Ireland.

As it is just under 50 years since I left that grand building, I was gobsmacked — but delighted — to hear that Tom is still alive and well and will celebrate his 100th birthday in September this year.

The news was relayed to me by another former Morgan-ite Rory McLeod, who wrote in regarding other subjects.

“It was good to see from a picture in The Sporting Post feature in the Tele some weeks back that old schoolmate Kenny Dick is still refereeing at the grand old age of 74ish,” said Rory.

“Kenny also appeared recently in a super photo in BwB of the Dundee United team of the mid-60s, which also featured United’s Scandinavian imports.

“Another schoolmate, Neil Falconer, also appeared in a photo of Lochee Harp a few weeks ago.

“Neil also played senior for Motherwell and East Fife.”

Rory also sent in a photo.

He continued: “This is a photo of the Morgan Academy 1st XI football team from 1959.

“You will see that there is no goalkeeper in the photo.

“The goalie was Alec Steele.

“Alec was making a name for himself as a wicketkeeper/batsman with Forfarshire at the time, and the story went around that he didn’t want to appear in the photo in case his parents found out that he played in goal and might damage his hands.

“However, I don’t know if that story is true or not.

“Anyway, Alec did go on to play cricket for Scotland.”

Arabzone’s Andy Boyd wonders if BwB, or any of the readers, can help with information surrounding a photo?

“I came across the booklet — World Soccer Digest, 1962-63 — containing this Dundee FC photo (see top),” said Andy.

“I assume it must be a pre-season friendly (from 1961) due to there being two goalkeepers and more than one substitute.

“Did goalkeeper Sandy Davie play any game time for Dundee FC?

“I can only assume that any appearance would have been as a trialist as he is credited with joining Dundee United from Butterburn Youth Club in August 1961.

“Is he a Robert Wilson in reverse?

“Robert played as trialist for Dundee United before joining Dundee FC two days later.”

I’ve a feeling I touched on this subject before and that Sandy was a trialist for Dundee when that photo was taken.

It was when Dundee played a public trial game — a yearly occurrence at the time — usually the first team against the reserves and trialists.

I don’t know the exact reason why Sandy was in the first-team photo.

However, United were the ones who secured his signature a few days later.

Harry Brankin recently met up with three former St Francis U/18 friends and discussed the possibility of a reunion.

“Present were Jim McBride, Tommy Clink, Jimmy Reilly and myself,” said Harry.

“Unfortunately a few of our team of the 1960-61 season are no longer with us and we thought it would be nice to invite along other sides of that era such as Butterburn Youth Club, Butterburn Athletic, Milton Rangers and any other Angus amateur sides.

“We also include the Black Trophy guys.”

Harry sent in a photograph of the St Francis team, published in The People’s Journal in July 1961.

Back row (from left) — McBride, Kindlen, Reilly, Linton, Golden, Anderson.

Front row — Hayes, Woods, Brankin, Clink, Folan.

Harry, of Burnside Gardens, Dundee, concluded: “We hope to arrange a get-together in September sometime.”

Anyone from that era interested in joining in the get-together should contact Harry on pamelamacdonald@hotmail.com or 01382 622154 or 07543 675887.

* FORMER Dundee, Tottenham hotspur and Scotland goalkeeper Bill Brown has been the subject of a number of queries by BwB readers.

Billy Torrance, of Downfield, Dundee, wants to know the details behind Brown losing seven goals in a game for Dundee.

Dundee lost 7-1 to Airdrie at Broomfield Park on December 28, 1957.

Brown was in goal for the Dark Blues but was injured in the second minute. With no substitutes at that time, he ‘soldiered’ on before eventually having to come off in the 52nd minute, by which time the Dark Blues were 3-0 down.

Dundee lined up that day — Brown; Hamilton, Cox; Black, Tosh, Glen; McIvor, Cousin, McGrory, Sneddon, Robertson.

That heavy defeat was Alex Hamilton’s debut for the Dens Parkers.

The recent passing of former Lochee United, East Fife and Forfar Athletic striker Jim Finlayson touched many.

Since I featured Jim on July 12, several readers got in touch to laud him.

Brian McNicoll came across Jim at quite a number of stages in his life.

“It was quite unbelievable the way things panned out,” said Brian, himself a former striker at junior and senior level.

“I first came across Jim when I was in first year at Stobswell Secondary,” said Brian, formerly with East Fife, Forfar and Brechin.

“He was in their great U/15 team with the likes of Peter Lorimer and my brother Jim.

“Everyone looked up to him then because it was obvious he was a magnificent player.

“My next sighting of Jim was in the East Fife dressing-room when I signed at Bayview.

“To be honest, he took me under his wing and looked after me.

“However, even in that dressing-room with a lot of great players, he was very well respected.”

Brian, who also had stints in the Highland League in addition to a successful spell with Carnoustie Juniors, continued: “Ironically, I took his place in the team when he tragically broke his leg just prior to flying south to talk to Crystal Palace.

“That was a really sad day but Jim bounced back to play again.”

Brian continued: “When he went back to the juniors, late in his career, I signed him when I was manager of Violet.

“He was different class but that sums up Jim.

“He didn’t say much but was a great player and a great goalscorer. In fact, you could call him a ‘silent assassin’!”

Dave Bruce was also a team-mate of Jim’s and he reflected on just how good a player he was.

“I played with Jim in a very good Lochee United team,” he recalled.

“He just looked as if he would score every time he was on the ball.

“It was a pleasure to play alongside Jim. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.”

Reminiscing, Dave continued: “I was also part of a very special Butterburn Youth Club team.

“Our main striker there was John Duncan, who would go on to play for Dundee and Tottenham Hotspur.

“I’ve got to say, though, that Jim and John had other team-mates — too many to mention by name — who worked away to supply them with plenty of chances.”

I couldn’t trace a Lochee United team photo with Dave and Jim in it. However, here is one (top of page) from 1970.

Above right is Dave featured with John.

*We’ve been featuring snippets in recent months about the early years of several local junior clubs.

Rob Boag has come in with some additional information on Lochee United.

He offered: “A team called Lochee United were playing in the Scottish Northern League as far back as 1892, and won the Forfarshire 2nd XI Cup in the 1893-94 season.

“In the early 1900s, United also played in the Forfarshire County League which included Dundee Wanderers, Arbroath, Forfar Athletic and Montrose.”

ALBERT Kidd, formerly of Dundee FC, and ‘Heart-breaker-in-chief’, was home recently to face a heavy programme of family occasions and sporting events.

However, according to Andy Walker, he has not forgotten his roots.

“I mentioned to Albert — over here on holiday from Australia — that one of our old neighbours John McInally, who lived beside us in Brownhill Street, was in a nursing home,” said Andy.

“Albert asked me to give him all the details and promised to go to St Ronan’s Home in Dalkeith Road, Dundee, to meet John.

“Two days before he was due to return home, Albert called and we went to see John. After a wee while, John got into his stride, and memories were exchanged.

“Goodness knows what the staff thought but the sound of laughter rang through the level we were on.

“Albert stayed for about an hour.

“He probably would have stayed longer but he had another family meeting.

“As we said our farewells, John said to Albert: ‘Eh kent you wir gonna be a fitba player, cos nivir once did yir ball ever hit meh backies’.”

My own recollection of John is that, even well into his 50s and 60s, he was still keen on taking part in a game of football — very much in the ‘have boots will travel’ mode.

A taxi driver, his boots were always in the boot of the cab, polished and ready for a call from any team who found themselves a man short. Sometimes not content on waiting for that call, John would turn up at pitches in the city hosting games around half-an-hour before kick-off in the hope of claiming a jersey.

LIKE many, I was stunned when Muhammad Ali died.

I shouldn’t have been, though, as, when he went into hospital with respiratory problems, I feared the worst… and so it came to pass.

There’s nothing I can say about ‘The Greatest’ — and he was — that you haven’t read or heard many times over.

Regular contributor Rob Boag was moved to write.

“On Saturday, June 4, at 7am Ontario time, I sat down in front of my laptop, placed a cup of tea and slab of toasted bread slathered in marmalade on the desk and switched on my computer,” said Rob.

“It’s a daily morning routine, reading online newspapers and news outlets, hoping to be greeted with comforting headlines.

“I opened a news link and the headline informed me: Muhammad Ali, “The Greatest of All Time”, Dead at 74.

“I opened and read every news link — including DC Thomson — and read about the Great One’s life and now his death.

“They mined deep into their sports vaults and raised magnificent pictures of Cassius Marcellus Clay and Muhammad Ali.

“There were tributes from US Presidents — current and past — football stars and showbiz stars and, of course, politicians.

“But the most touching tributes were from ordinary men and women who offered in their emotions of what Muhammad Ali meant to them.”

Rob, a fierce champion of his native Dundee and, especially, Lochee, went on: “There was one quote I didn’t initially see, and it came from Dundee’s very own Dick McTaggart.

“When Dick met Cassius Clay at the Rome Olympic village in 1960 — even then, Cassius was nicknamed the Louisville Lip.

“Cassius announced to everyone at the Rome Olympics in no uncertain terms that he was the greatest, and predicted he would be the greatest and prettiest boxer of all times.

“Dick thought Cassius Clay was ‘a bit of a bampot’.

“It’s fair to say that Cassius Clay at that time was ‘a legend in his own mind’. Cassius, though, went on to win gold in Rome but wasn’t awarded the Val Barker Trophy, and Dick picked up his second Olympic medal — bronze.

“Forty years after Rome, as we turned the page to begin a new century, Muhammad Ali was acknowledged as the greatest sportsman of the 20th century — a living legend.

“Through decades of controversy and turbulence, his talent, charisma and magnetism overcame critics and Cassius Clay — now Muhammad Ali — witnessed his own prophecy come true.”

Former Dundee FC director Derek Souter recalled actually meeting the great man.

He said: “It was 1993 and Jimmy McDonnell, my brother Duncan, Benny Scanlan and I headed to Glasgow to the book signing by Muhammad Ali in the former Waterstone’s in the middle of Buchanan Street.

“When we got there, it was packed.

“I saw Ali but did not go in due to being too sad to see his then deteriorating state.

“All of us were huge boxing fans and Duncan and Benny had fought with great pride for the late Dennis Gilfeather’s Camperdown Boxing Club in Lochee (noted alumni Steve Cooney, Jim Douglas, Ian Scott, Kevin McCabe, George and the late Alex Kerr to name only a few).

“However, Duncan and Jimmy did go in and, standing in the queue for the book signing, Duncan was getting more and more excited and started shadow boxing.

“This was evidently noticed as, when Duncan approached Ali, the great man got up and out of his seat and did a wee mock ‘set-to’ with Duncan.

“We were all beside ourselves and, shortly after, retired to the nearby Horseshoe Bar to try to (a) calm down, and (b) stop the tears.”

Derek concluded: “That was a day which has been chatted through hundreds of times and will continue to.”

Some readers may recognise Jimmy McDonnell as he is currently doing sterling work for the city’s history as current chairman of the Dundee Transport Museum.

The photos above are a bit grainy but are wonderful mementos of two Dundee men meeting ‘The Greatest’, Muhammad Ali.

“It was terrific to read Ally Donaldson’s recollection of the Jack Charlton incident,” opened Ken Abbot.

Ken, who signed off as a ‘72-year-old supporter with blue blood’, was referring to the former Dundee goalkeeper’s recollection of events (BwB, June 7) when the Dens Park side drew 1-1 with visiting Leeds United in the first leg of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup semi-final in 1968.

Ken continued: “However, as a spectator who was at the end where it happened, I and my mates on the night were glad to see Ally put ‘Giraffe Neck’ on his rear end.

“As for his injury, I think it was his pride which was hurt the most.”

Switching to another high- profile Dundee game, Ken went on: “How can one forget the immediate equaliser by Kenny Cameron against Rangers in the 1963-64 Scottish Cup Final? When he equalised, I was sure we were going to win.

“The Dee supporters gave our defeated heroes a great welcome in the city square when they arrived home, with Bert ‘Punchy’ Slater getting special recognition for his magnificent display.”

NEW Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon’s signing of Lewis Toshney from his former club Raith Rovers puts the big Dundonian in an elite group.

The 24-year-old central defender joins the band of players who have played for both Dundee and Dundee United.

There haven’t been many players “crossing the great divide” in recent years.

However, by my recollection, the players who have donned tangerine and dark blue for the first teams — from 1960 — are:

Aaron Conway, Alan Gordon, Alex Stuart, Andy Cargill, Andy McLaren, Beto Naveda, Billy Dodds, Billy Kirkwood, Billy Thomson, Billy Williamson, Bobby Robinson, Craig Samson, Danny Griffin, David Worrell, Doug Houston, Dragutin Ristic, Duncan McLeod, Gordon McLeod, Gordon Wallace.

Iain Ferguson, Ian Phillip, Ian Redford, Ian Scott, James Grady, Jim Hamilton, Jim Lauchlan, Jim McInally, John Holt, John McQuillan, Kenny Cameron, Kevin Smith, Lee Mair, Lee Wilkie, Lewis Toshney, Mark Fotheringham, Mark Kerr, Neil Duffy, Paul Dixon.

Piotr Czachowski, Rab Shannon, Roy McBain, Scott Robertson, Steve Murray, Steven O’Donnell, Steven Robb, Stewart McKimmie, Stuart Beedie, Tony Bullock, Tommy Coyne.

If I’ve missed any out, I’m sure eagle-eyed BwB readers will soon tell me.

In the article regarding Maryfield United’s wonderful achievement of winning the Scottish Juvenile Cup in 1967 (BwB July 5), club skipper and striker Gil Kerr did mention some of the names in the story may need clarification.

Ann Grant picked up on this because her husband Dave was mentioned as one of the committee men in the story.

Thankfully, I got Dave’s name correct.

Ann offered: “Yes, a few of the names were mixed up.

“It is Michael McInally and not Ron. Likewise, it is Ron Watson and not Ron Bennett.

“Michael and Dave seemed to be the coaches of the team.”

Ann, who stayed in Erskine Street around that time but who now lives in Whitfield, continued: “Around that time, they used to occupy a couple of rooms at the old police sub-station in Constable Street as their clubrooms.

“Constable Street is just off Victoria Street.

“They refurbished the place, with the cells becoming showers and the like.”

Ann then pursued another line of questioning.

“I wonder if you could help me in another matter,” Ann went on.

“My great-grandfather was Joseph Clark, who was born in 1874, and he played for Dundee FC around the turn of last century.

“I’ve also come across a medal of his, which could be a Scottish Cup medal.

“I think he also played at some point for Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers.”

I can only find Joseph Clark playing for Dundee for two seasons from 1896.

Indeed, his very first game for the Dark Blues was in a 3-0 home win over Hibs — and he netted all three goals.

That stat alone makes him part of a very small select who have hit a hat-trick on their Dundee debut.

Most of his games in that first season were played on the right-wing or inside-right, and he played 16 out of 18 league games, scoring eight goals.

He also took part in three Scottish Cup ties, scoring once.

The following season saw his goals completely dry up and, during his 19 games (16 league, three cup), he failed to find the net.

Indeed, the Dens men finished bottom of the 10-team league but were successfully re-elected to continue playing in the top flight the following season.

Joseph wasn’t around when Dundee won the Scottish Cup in 1910, so the medal must be from some other competition.

My research revealed he played just one game for Bolton against Middlesbrough on April 7, 1900, in a 3-0 victory but did not score.

He had a spell with Newton Heath (later to be known as Manchester United in 1902) before joining Bolton.

I don’t have any game stats from his time in England but one comment is of interest . . . “He left the club to volunteer for the Boer War”, which would be the Second Boer War.

Joseph also had spells with Dunfermline and East Fife later in his career.

As ever, any further information would be welcomed.

Former colleague Stan Gardiner has many of his uncle’s football medals, contracts and such like, and he wants to share them with other football fans.

Stan’s uncle is former Dundee United star Bobby Gardiner — a player revered by old-time Tannadice supporters.

Bobby, along with Arthur Milne, were nicknamed The Mighty Midgets by United fans due to the fact they stood under 5ft 6in in their socks.

Stan worked in the stereo department in DC Thomson’s Bank Street offices for many years before setting up business as a golf equipment wholesaler.

He said: “Uncle Bobby seems to have been some player in his time.

“The more and more I look into his career, the more plaudits he seems to get, and surprises keep cropping up.

“In addition to United, he also played for Bristol Rovers and Hibs, among others.

“He also went abroad, and I reckon he was the first player to leave Dundee United to go to play abroad when he joined Valenciennes (France) in 1946.

“What I have also come across is that he also worked as a baker in Raglan Street when he was playing in Scotland.

“Indeed, I have several of his cheques from his time at Clyde and others — and they are all uncashed.

“The amounts total around £70, which was a fair bit of money in the 1930s/40s.

“I did ask him about these several years ago but he just replied: ‘Och, I didn’t have a bank account!”

Coincidentally, Tom Cairns then got in touch to invite me up to Tannadice to have a look at the new Dundee United Museum. Tom, along with Peter McBride is a ‘curator’ of the museum at Tannadice and they have done very well to set up a very interesting floor of Dundee United memorabilia spanning 107 years.

“We thought about starting a museum after being told that many United mementoes and such like were just lying about in bags,” said Tom, a lifelong fan of the Tangerines.

“I also heard you were doing something about Bobby Gardiner, so I thought you might like come along to see the section of the museum which is dedicated to Bobby — one of the Mighty Midgets.”

After explaining the other ‘Mighty Midget’ was Arthur Milne, Tom proceeded to give some more information on Bobby, continuing: “Bobby was a Broughty Ex-Service Club inside-forward when he played a trial for United.

“It was a league game against Arbroath in December 1933 and he scored two goals.

“He was signed a short time later on January 3, 1934.

“He was nicknamed the ‘Mighty Atom’ at that time and played at Tannadice for two years before joining Dartford and then Bristol Rovers.

“Bobby returned to Tannadice a few years later and was in the United side who were beaten in the War Cup Final in 1940 (see medal).

“In 1943, he returned to Bristol Rovers.

“Bobby, who played almost 200 games for United, scoring 70 goals, ended his senior career at Arbroath.

“He also had stints in the juniors.”

Right — Bobby Gardiner’s War Cup Final runners-up medal.

Information on Lochrae Juveniles’ participation in cup finals is sought by one of their former players.

Doug Crumley played right-back for the Dundee and District U/27 Juvenile League side and has come across many of his old medals.

“The trouble is,” he opened, “they are all blank with no inscriptions.

“And, as I’m now 80, I’m having trouble remembering the names of the trophies, the opposition, the scores and the years.

“That’s why I have turned to Blether with Brown. Can you help me find more information?”

Doug, known for many years in the city as a local musician, in addition to working in Timex, gave me some details.

He continued: “I remember winning the Samuel Trophy and my first impression was ‘what the heck is this?’.

“The trophy was tacky, dull and damaged. It just did not look good at all.

“One of my team-mates actually later took it into the NCR factory, where he worked, to have it restored to something near its former glory.

“I remember, too, we beat an Arbroath side on Thomson Park in another final. We came out on top against Logie Thistle in yet another final and, a year later, Lochrae were
beaten by Lochee Renton in my very last game in the D&D Juveniles.”

Doug, who also played for St Clement’s and Timex, concluded: “Over the years, I’ve seen others come in with pleas about games, dates and times, and you usually get a good response.

“I hope some of your readers can help me, too.”

The photo far left is a Lochrae Juveniles line-up from around 1959-61, which features Doug.

Back row (from left) — Doug Crumley, Dave Laird, Dave Pullar, Willie Finlayson, Jim Millar, Dave Thomson, Dave Falconer.

Front row — Jim Stark, George Monaghan, Bert Robertson, Norrie “Peem” Dyer, Lennie Davies, Saunders Meech, Harry McAllister

Invergowrie reader Tom Hegarty posed a query regarding a 13-0 home defeat for Dundee reserves against city neighbours United.

The July 5 piece brought a response from Donald Gellatly.

“I wouldn’t normally read an article about Dundee losing 13-0 to Dundee United but I was unfamiliar with your tale of the 1993 reserve derby that ended with such a score, so I did a little research,” said Donald, a regular contributor to these pages.

“Dundee were not doing very well on or off the field at the time (surprise, surprise) with infamous owner Ron Dixon showing signs of disinterest and cutbacks to the first-team squad and managerial changes.

“In addition, the club sat rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.

“There was talk of scrapping the reserve team but a second XI was entered into its respective league, although most of the players came from the youth team.

“While it was reported that seven of the reserve players who lost 13-0 to United were trialists, only one was not either employed on a full-time or Youth Training Scheme contract.

“John ‘Cowboy’ McCormack’s reserve side consequently lost the first three fixtures of the season to Raith Rovers (8-0), Aberdeen (3-0), then Hibernian (8-0), so the thrashing by a strong United outfit full of first-team regulars maybe wasn’t such a shock, although an early red card received by Max Christie certainly didn’t help!”

Donald listed the The Dee’s reserve XI that night as — Barry Thompson, Jack Ross (St Mirren/Falkirk), Marr (trialist), Craig Tully, Donald McDonald (16-year-old), Max Christie, Iain Anderson, Lachlan Armstrong, Graeme Cadger, Dragutin Ristic and Neil McCann. Subs — Marcus Dailly and James Simpson (15-year-old).

Donald went on: “The reserve goalkeeper in that game was Barry Thompson, from Aviemore (not Billy Thomson).

“Barry’s father ran a restaurant called the ‘Ski-ing Doo’, which was one of the best hamburger/steakhouses in Scotland until it was sold a few years ago.

“Barry was actually praised following the 13-0 defeat by United for making several good saves to keep the score down, although he never went on to play for the Dark Blues’ first team. Indeed, Thompson holds the club record for sitting on the bench the most times during a competitive game without getting on to the field (55 occasions).

“However, the young goalkeeper did go on to enjoy a fairly long career in the Scottish senior leagues with Montrose, East Fife, East Stirlingshire and Ross County.”

George Aimer also confirmed the goalie was Barry Thompson, offering: “I was surprised to see him playing for Carlisle United at Ilkeston Town when I went there to watch an FA Cup tie.”

A recent date marked 70 years since the death of Scotland’s first-ever world boxing champion Benny Lynch.

I was reminded of this by regular BwB contributor Rob Boag.

He opened: “August 6 marked 70 years of Benny’s death.

“He died aged just 33 and destitute following his hardest battle of all — fighting alcohol addiction.

“An article in August’s Scots Magazine titled ‘Little King of the Gorbals’ provides a thumbnail sketch of Lynch’s rise and fall as a world champion.

“It is encouraging that actor Robert Carlyle, former world boxing champion Jim Watt and other Scottish luminaries are currently actively supporting an exhibition and a fund to design and erect in Glasgow a statue of Lynch.

“My thoughts turned to cities and towns who have honoured their boxing champions.

“Belfast erected a statue to Rinty Monaghan, who was the 1948 flyweight world champion. Belfast also commissioned a statue in honour of John Caldwell, who in 1961 won the world bantamweight title.”

At that point, my thoughts turned to an old chestnut of mine.

Through this column, and in conversation with a couple of (now former) councillors and politicians, I have tried in vain to get a city centre statue of Dick McTaggart MBE on the agenda.

Rob, formerly of Dundee and now resident in Canada, provides an example of another area honouring their Olympian.

He continued: “The Irish town of Drogheda, with a population half the size of Dundee, have in the centre of town a statue dedicated to Tony Byrne, a bronze medal winner for boxing in the Melbourne 1956 Olympics.

“Tony was in the same weight class as Dick McTaggart, who won gold.

“The Irish seem to honour their champions with statues so that generations to come will always be aware that such a man, a glorious champion, came from their home town.”

Rob went on: “Over an aperitif, I whinged to my better half Hilda about my frustration of Scotland’s lack of recognition toward its boxing legend.

“Why, I asked, are the Irish so admirable in their honour toward their champions?

“A statue should have been commissioned by those in power in the 1960s.

“Any man who has been married for any length of time (I am in my 53rd year) will know that look.

“Hilda stared, then said: ‘If any city or town council truly wants to erect a statue of anyone — it will be done’, and then went back to her concern over a birthday gift for one of our grandchildren.”

Rob conceded: “Hilda, though, struck a chord . . . why don’t I ask a former Dundee councillor and former provost about the priorities of honouring sports legends who were born in the city of Dundee. Having moved from Dundee decades ago, I know little about John Letford but I have enjoyed his contributions to BwB.

“As a sportsman and politician, I believe John could shed some light as to why Dundee has never honoured Dick McTaggart in a manner that many Dundonians and Scots from other parts of Scotland, and other parts of the world believe should have happened.

“John strikes me as a man who would provide an opinion on any topic if asked.”

For those unaware, McTaggart was an Olympic gold and bronze medal winner, in addition to Commonwealth gold and silver medals.

At the Melbourne Olympics in 1956, he was awarded the Val Barker Trophy, given to the most stylish boxer.

He also won five ABA titles.

It does seem ironic that Dundee’s town centre is awash with countless Oor Wullies, Desperate Dan and Minnie The Minx but there is no place for our greatest ever Olympian.

I’m certainly not knocking those, far from it, as it has been proved they all have significant roles to play in the history of this city.

However, the sports centre named after Dick in the outlying suburbs is now home to gymnastics, which could not be further down the spectrum from boxing!

There is also a statue of him in a local boxing club but it is well out of the public eye. We currently have streets, avenues and grass areas at the Waterfront being named after people associated with this city.

Surely even a wee corner dedicated to Dick would not go amiss.

Even at the Rio Olympics, when boxing was on, commentators continually brought up Dick McTaggart’s name.

That is how highly regarded he is held worldwide but not, apparently, from those who make the big decisions in his home town.

Former Tayport footballer Jimmy Bissett got in touch for a friend.

“Angela Smith is trying to help her dad track down a footballer he played with back in the day at East Fife,” said Jimmy.

“Her father is Dick Smith, who is 79.

“The player was called Jake Young, and he was captain of East Fife at the time. He also played for Dundee, Arbroath and St Mirren.

“A further local connection is that Dick Smith served on the Tayport Junior FC committee for a number of years.”

I featured Jake in an East Fife piece a couple of weeks ago and I was able to get a contact number for Jake and have passed it on to Dick.

Journalist and East Fife fan Donald Walker, ever helpful, was my source.

Our photo shows Dick in his playing days in action for East Fife against Rangers at Ibrox.

Ralph Chalmers sent in a photo of Butterburn Youth Club U/16 from 1956-57.

Unfortunately, despite revealing some great names, the picture was a paper copy and not good enough to print.

“The photo would be a trip down memory lane for some families and it appeared in either The Courier or the Evening Telegraph,” said Ralph, of Balmullo in Fife.

“This Butterburn team had a tremendous season, scoring over 200 goals and winning the league and all the local cups. Their goalkeeper in the photo is the famous Dick Donnelly, the local sportswriter who recently passed away.”

Players in the photo were listed as (back row, from left) — Delaney, Martin, McGlashan, Donnelly, Scott, Smith. Front row — McIntyre, Chalmers, Turnbull, Sharp, Meach.

The photo was featured as part of the build-up to Butterburn playing in the Scottish Cup Final that season against Drumchapel Amateurs.

The game took place at North End Park, Dundee, and I presume the Burn lost the game as Ralph failed to mention them as winners.

The report also stated the teams had met two years previously when, after a 1-1 draw, the Glasgow side won 2-1. Turnbull was listed as their top scorer, netting 67 times.

Dick Donnelly even managed four goals that term, converting three from penalties and another ‘when he was injured and played out the game on the wing’.

The route to the final saw Butterburn eliminate Springfield Rovers (8-1), Arbroath Lads Club (3-1), Sighthill Thistle (1-1, 8-3) and Lothians United (4-1).

Ralph asked for his telephone number (01334 871118) to be given out if any former team-mates want to get in touch.

If anyone has a glossy photo of this team, I’d be delighted to include it in a future edition of BwB.