GLORIOUS GOWRIE
PETER IRVINE requested a picture of the successful Invergowrie BC team of the 1970s and our files unearthed the photo at the foot of the column.
“In season 1972-73, we played in the Angus Amateur AFA U/16 League and were very successful,” said Peter.
“The team had a few players who have since become well-known such as former Dundee United defender John Holt, and ex-Dundee, Hearts and Rangers midfielder Cammy Fraser.
“Craig Millar, of course, is now a presenter with Grampian TV. There were quite a few other players who made their name locally such as Mark Law, Jim Bannon, Allan Herschall and Titch Clark.
“1973 was our last year together, but we won the league title, the Alliance Cup and the John Davie Trophy.
“We also lost in the final of the Scottish Cup, beaten by Glasgow outfit Celtic Boys Club.
“My two sons, Peter and Marc, have also played in various Scottish Cup Finals.
“Peter, in fact, was part of the St Johnstone team which lost to Rangers in the final of the BP Youth Cup at Hampden Park.”
DUNDEE FC PLAYERS NAMED . . .
A combination of readers DONALD GELLATLY, JIMMY GAVINE, BERT TAYLOR and WILLIE O’NEILL have named the players in last week’s Dundee FC photo of the 1930s.
“That team played Portsmouth in Bill Marsh’s testimonial at Dens,” said Donald.
“The game was played on October 5, 1936, and Dundee won 3-0 thanks to goals from Coats, Kirby and Bill Phillips.”
In the photo at the back were Jimmy Stewart (trainer), Bobby Rennie, Len Richards, Bill Marsh, Andy Cowie, John Evans, Tommy Smith and Billy McCandless (manager).
In front were Norman Kirby, Bill Phillips, Archie Coats, Arthur Baxter and David Linton.
West Ferry’s Bert, now 81, commented, “That photo brought back memories. I watched that team when I was 11 years old.”
Jimmy, who stays in Downfield, also offered, “Bill Phillips went on to coach North End in the late 1940s. I remember him as being Welsh and a very nice man.”
Willie (87) said, “I watched Bill Phillips play in some sort of international at Dens for Wales against Scotland. I think it could have been one of those League internationals they had in those days.
“Arthur Baxter was a Dundee lad, and Archie Coats came from Bangor.”
20 TIMES SENT OFF — ‘THAT’S NOT TOO BAD’
More instances from Kenny Macdonald’s book, Scottish Football Quotations (Mainstream):
“OK, so I was sent off 20 times, but I played for 22 seasons. So it was under one a season. That’s not too bad” — WILLIE JOHNSTON (1996).
“We just become ex-football managers or ex-players in the end” — TOMMY BURNS (1997).
“I think there was a bit of devilment in Graeme’s decision to sign Maurice Johnston” — Rangers chairman DAVID MURRAY (1994).
“I’d hang myself, but we can’t afford the rope” — Hamilton boss IAIN MUNRO (1995).
“You’re exhilarated and nauseated all in one” — TOMMY BURNS on Old Firm games (1998).
“I’m sorry, Mr Dallas was not very good” — Celtic defender STEPHANE MAHE (1999) after being ordered off during an Old Firm game. After last week’s incidents at Tannadice, it seems some others have the same opinion of the Motherwell referee.
“He’s walking about with a lip you could hang your coat on” — Unnamed Premier Division manager on an unhappy player (1996).
“It had ceased to be a club where you were proud to wear the shirt, and had become a place where the players were thinking about their next testimonial” — GRAEME SOUNESS on Liverpool (1996).
YOU BETA BELIEVE IT
Overheard in a local sarsaparilla bar, as two guys were discussing a forthcoming event.
“You going to the reunion ‘do’ next month?” said the much taller of the two.
“Aye, it’ll be great,” said his vertically-challenged mate. “It’s 25 years since we won our first cup.”
“Remember, that final was filmed and they’re hoping to show it on the night.”
“Aye, but there’s good news and bad news on that.”
“What’s the good news?”
“It’s on video.”
“What’s the bad news, then, eh?”
“It’s on Betamax format.”
WHY PAY WHEN NOTHING IS AT STAKE
A reader, signing himself “Hometown Football Fan”, writes, “I read with interest the piece by Lochee reader Andy Walker (BwB, July 9), especially the point regarding the Celtic v. Dunfermline game.
“How can he compare a ‘nothing’ fixture to a Scottish Cup tie? Everyone knows that fans turn out for Scottish Cup Finals and, anyway, why would fans pay money to go to Parkhead when there is nothing at stake.
“He also goes on to say how “supporters are now financially penalising clubs”.
I think Mr Walker seems to have his wires crossed because it is actually the other way about. Fans are being financially penalised, especially by his beloved Celtic.
“Mr Walker will also remember it wasn’t so long ago that there were not many Celtic fans at home, never mind away games, so he can’t really go on about poor away attendances.
“He also goes on to mention the home support-only games. What about the die-hard fans that go every week? Why should they have to miss out?
“The only solution to the attendance problem would be if the likes of Mr. Walker and others started supporting his home town club and not giving his money to the Old Firm.”
OTHER FED PLAYERS
WILLIE “SAMBO” SAMUEL, of Balgay Court, Menzieshill, Dundee, is able to name some more of the BROUGHTY ATHLETIC team, which featured in BwB on June 16.
I had named just one of the team, Jim West, and Willie confirmed this, even giving his nickname as “Slim”.
“Others included in the Fed photo were Ian ‘Ernie’ Beattie, George ‘Foe’ Sievwright, Ian Bell and Harry Inglis,” confirmed Willie.
“George later joined Dundee United before going on to play in England
“Three of that team — Ian, George and Jim — were products of Broughty Ferry’s Eastern Primary School.”
WHERE WERE THE GLAZIERS BASED?
Former Dundee and Forfar Athletic stalwart Kenny Dick has a query on behalf of a friend.
“I have a cutting of a Dundee and District Juvenile Cup Final, which took place at Glenesk Park around the late 1970s or early 1980s,” said Kenny, now a popular referee in the minor leagues in the Dundee area.
“Sporting Club U/16 were playing Huntly United at the time for the Lindsay & Scott Cup. The cup sponsors were glaziers, and a friend and I were having a discussion about where they were based in the city.
“We couldn’t come up with the answer. Also, I notice that particular trophy is not being competed for now. What happened to the actual trophy?”
Former regional and national secretary Jimmy Johnstone, BEM, reckoned they were situated at one time in Bank Street, but moved on from there.
As for Sporting and Huntly, I’m sure they were run by Ally “Dan” Dailly and Dave Goldie respectively.
At the time of that final, Sporting had already won the Scottish Cup and the league title that season, with Huntly coming second in the championship.
Can BwB readers fill in the blanks on Lindsay & Scott Glaziers and the cup whereabouts?
KOLFOR NEVER FORGOT THEIR ROOTS
Here’s wishing John Beaton all the best in his retirement.
John called time on his working life last week after selling his successful Dundee-based Kolfor firm to Swedish concern Atlas Copco for £7 million.
I’ve never met John, but the name Kolfor first came to my attention in the 1970s when they sponsored the Dundee Sunday Welfare Football League.
Despite their obvious success in the business world, Kolfor have never forgotten their roots, and their name has continually cropped up time and again alongside local sports teams, charities and good causes.
|
