DIDN’T KNOW DAD’S BOXING CONNECTION

DOUG MILL’S mother Margaret, sadly, recently passed away. His father Tom, who died in 1978, was well-known in local circles through water polo and swimming, but, as Doug was going through his mother’s belongings, he found a photo (see foot of column) of his dad and the Camperdown Amateur Boxing Club from 1934-35.

“In all that time, I didn’t know my dad had a connection with boxing,” said Doug, of Birkhill, by Dundee.

“He was very much involved in water polo and swimming and was an honorary life member of Arnhall Swimming Club.

“The interest in swimming has remained in the family and my two daughters Audrey and Elaine went on to coach the club.

“Indeed, Audrey also served as treasurer and president, and was also made a honorary life member of the club.

“I’d like to know more about my dad’s involvement in boxing, though.

“This is a wonderful photo, and can you confirm if the J. Lynch and E. Lynch mentioned are anything to do with the Lynch brothers of Lochee who have, of course, the Lynch Centre named after them in Dundee?”

The names in the photo are (back row, from left) — G. G. Thomson, D. L. Anderson, K. Shaw, A. Wilkinson, J. Lynch, D. G. Pert, T. C. Mill. Middle row — E. Lynch (7 st. junior champion and 7 st. 7 lb. runner-up 1934-35 Midland District), P. M. Smith, Jun., A. Hutchison, R. Finlayson, A. McLardy, T. Rooney. Front row — P. Dwyer, O. P. Fox (secretary, SABA Midland District), P. M. Smith, Sen., P. Whyte (club secretary), H. Shaw, M. H. Whyte (Scotland flyweight champion), J. Fialey. Front — F. Whyte.

Indeed, this is a brilliant photo and one look at these Lynch faces tells me they are the wonderful John and Ned, who, along with another brother Andy, devoted so much of their time to youth activities through Lochee Boys Club.

In columns gone by, I’ve mentioned my time at Lochee (football only, though) under the watchful eye of these charismatic men (not forgetting, of course, the equally-charismatic Grier brothers — Billy, George and the late Lewis).

Ken Shaw has been named in this column on a number of occasions.

His first real claim to “fame” came when he won the Midlands counties heavyweight title at the age of 15, but the title was taken away from him because it was open only to over-17s.

The former Morgan Academy pupil went on to work as a draughtman in the Caledon Shipyard in Dundee and was the Scottish heavyweight boxing champion for six years between 1945-50.

Nicknamed the “Gentle Giant”, he boxed around the world, including Sweden, USA and South Africa, and sparred for the great Freddie Mills in London and eventually fought him for the British title.

Mills, however, gave him a badly-cut lip in the first round and the fight ended then.

After managing the Scottish boxing team in the Empire Games in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1950, he decided to emigrate there.

Ken died in New Zealand in 1997, aged 77.

JOEYS’ TEAM AND CUPS ARE NAMED

GERRY DIGNAN, of Brackens Primary School, and current president of the Dundee Schools FA, was interested in the recent photo of the St Joseph’s school football team (BwB, Jan. 21).

“I recognised the Burgess Trophy on the left immediately,” revealed Gerry.

“And, after consultation with Nicky Marra, of St Mary’s PS, he informed me the cup on the right is the Meikleham Cup.

“Both trophies are still currently being competed for.

“The Burgess is played as a knock-out cup by teams in the ArabTrust/ Dee 4 Life League section.

“It is believed the Meikleham Cup was donated to commemorate those who had fallen in the First World War.

“It is still competed for by Catholic schools, but in a five-a-side format.

“The middle trophy could be the A. C. Little Cup, but we don’t know the whereabouts of that piece of silverware now.

“Nicky believes the picture was taken in St Joseph’s playground in Daniel Street.”

Gerry was able to name the players in the photo.

Back row — P. Clark, P. McCash, J. Pacione, A. Hay, T. Ireland, T. Cairney, A. Traynor.

Front row — D. Ireland, J. Black, J. Hyder, J. McCann, F. McGrory, T. Devlin.

Seated — J. Scullen, J. Pazowski.

JACK IRELAND, of Marchfield Crescent, Dundee, also confirmed the above names.

“I can also name two of the three staff members,” said Jack.

“On the left was Brother Cyril and on the right was headmaster Brother Edward.

“My cousin was D. Ireland, but the T. Ireland in the photo was not related.”

ISABEL FINDSHAROLD

Was there ever any doubt?

BwB put out a plea for the whereabouts of former Rangers defender and Dundee coach Harold Davis last week, and the ink was hardly dry on the print when a call came in.

It was from Broughty Ferry’s ISABEL SNEDDON, the now-retired former secretary of Dundee FC.

“Harold’s up in Gairloch, in Ross-shire,” she revealed. “He bought a hotel up there, but has since sold it. However, he still stays in the area and does a lot of fishing.

“I’ve spoken to him on a few occasions.”

To refresh, the Perth-based branch of the Korean War Veterans were wanting to get in touch with the former Dens Parker, who was No. 2 with the Dark Blues when Davie White was in charge at Dens.

Needless to say, all the relevant info has been passed on.

DERBY DOUBLES

NEIL COSGROVE, of Dundee, asks if I can name the players (first-team) who have been transferred directly from Dundee to Dundee United and vice-versa since the 1960s.

I’ve not researched this, as it would take an age to do so, so, off the top of my head, here are some:

From Dundee to United — Alex Stuart (1969), Duncan MacLeod (1973), Bobby Robinson (1970s), Ian Phillip (1970s), Neil Duffy (1996).

From United to Dundee — Billy Williamson (1970s), Ian Scott (1971), Tommy Coyne (1980s), Marcus Dailly (1994), Roy McBain (1995), Andy Cargill (1996), Jim McInally (1997), Aaron Conway (2005).

If any reader can add to this list, then get in touch.