PETER’S POWER AWESOME

Well-known Dundee painter and decorator JOHN LEDDIE sent in three photos.

Two have featured in the Evening Telegraph, while the third was just too faint to reproduce.

However, it’s the one we left out which begins John’s tale.

“Dundee FC’s skipper in 1961-62 — the season they won the title — was Bobby Cox, and he had his photo taken with us just before my Lawside Academy U/15 side played Stobswell in the semi-final of the Dundee United Cup that season,” said John, a lifelong Celtic fan.

“Bobby also put together a report of the game for a newspaper, and said of me, ‘Lawside received good inspiration from their captain and centre-half John Leddie, who, despite being up against Stobswell’s best player, stuck to his job well’.

“We were beaten 5-2 and their ‘best player’ scored a hat-trick — all from outside the box.

“Yes, you’ve probably guessed who he was — Peter Lorimer.

“Peter’s shooting ability, even at that age, was awesome. He probably didn’t get the recognition due for the rest of his game, which was also very good.

“The Lawside team that day was — David Millar; John Sharp, Frank Kosiba; Arthur Mulligan, myself, Pat Maloney; Kenneth Austin, Douglas Stewart, Jim Bannon, Kevin Flood, Gerald Anderson.”

The other photos, which were featured in the Tele, are of a Dundee Schoolboys trial team (see foot of column) and a group of Dundee-based Scotland fans heading for Wembley to witness that incredible 3-2 win in 1967 over World Cup holders England.

John, who lives in Dundee’s west end, intimated he was glad that the aforementioned Lorimer was in his team in that schoolboys trial, and also points out Sunday Post football writer Ronnie Scott.

Others in the front row of the photo are well-known former junior Alex McCarle, and Jim Finlayson, a team-mate of mine at East Fife in the 1970s.

“You’ll notice other well-known players such as Dennis Hunter, George Giblin and Davie Watson,” continued John, a regular on the local football quiz scene with his team The Low Flyers.

“The other trial team contained great players of the time such as Kenny Costello, Doug Cartwright, Bobby Buchan, Teddy Andrews, Jimmy Stewart and Frankie Strachan.

“People go on about the lack of Scottish talent these days.

“I sincerely believe that many of these players listed would be professional in the current era.”

Can’t wait for Tele to arrive

KENNY MARTIN came on from his home in Perth, Australia, to chat about the J. M. Select, which featured in BwB on November 12.

“My pal Tommy Jack was on the extreme right of the back row,” said Kenny, who emigrated in 1971.

“We were brought up together in Pitfour Street, but that’s probably no longer there.”

I was able to put Kenny right on the fact that a rejuvenated Pitfour Street is still vibrant and an integral part of the west end community.

Kenny (67) also commented that he played for teams such as Kenilworth and Wormit.

“I can still name the regular Kenilworth team. I played in goal, and the rest of the usual line-up included Jack Soutar, Bert Nolan, Willie Jack, Dave Erskine, Joe Dailly, Jimmy Gibb, Jimmy Reilly, Mo Henderson, Frank Robertson and Willie Morris.

“Frank was a great player and I remember he had a couple of trials for Rangers.

“At Wormit, I had to play outfield to get a game as they had a great keeper called Sandy Williamson, who was capped by amateur Scotland.”

Kenny, whose sporting prowess nowadays is restricted to lawn bowls, revealed he used to work in Veeder Root before opting for the sunnier climes of Oz.

“My brother Billy still stays in Pentland Crescent in Dundee and he sends me the Tele with all the BwB stories,” he continued.

“To be honest, I just can’t wait for my Tele to arrive every week as there are always great stories and great names.

“I seem to recognise several names each week.”

Gowfers’ two caps

JIMMY GRAHAM, of West Ferry, Dundee, takes us back to former Dundee, Tottenham and Scotland keeper Bill Brown, who died recently.

Jimmy revealed he was a former team-mate of Bill’s with Carnoustie Juveniles and Carnoustie Panmure.

“In fact,” recalled Jimmy, “We were transferred to Panmure at the same time. Mr Mudie, president of Panmure, paid the princely sum of £4 to Carnoustie Juveniles for our services in May 1949.

Jimmy, a left-winger in his day, continued, “Another great claim to fame is that Carnoustie Juveniles actually produced two Scottish international goalkeepers from the team which Bill Brown played in.

“Freddie Martin was an inside-left with us, and he signed for Aberdeen in October 1946. He was then called up for his national service and played during that spell with Woolwich Royal Artillery.

“Their goalkeeper was injured so Freddie, all 6 ft. 3 in. of him, had a stint in goal.

“The rest, as they say, is history. When Freddie rejoined Aberdeen in season 1949-50, he continued in goal, and went on to win six caps for Scotland.”