NORTH OF TAY RECORD WILL NEVER BE MATCHED

Regular readers of BwB will remember the Lindsay & Scott Cup saga at the end of the last year, and this subject has been resurrected by JIM McGOVERN, of Kinghorne Road, Dundee.

“I followed with interest your coverage of the Lindsay & Scott Trophy, particularly the correspondence from my old boss and managing director of the firm Frank Johnstone,” said Jim.

“I have enclosed a photo (see bottom of column), taken in 1976, of Frank (centre, left) and shop foreman Chris Dewar making a presentation.

“This was taken at the firm’s premises at 2 Court Street (on the corner of Dundonald Street).

“This gathering was to wish our colleague Sandy Davie all the best as he was emigrating to New Zealand.

“Sandy’s son, also Sandy, had emigrated to NZ immediately after playing in goal for Dundee United in the 1974 Scottish Cup Final against Celtic.

“Unfortunately, there was no happy ending to that game as Celtic won 3-0, with another player with Dundee connections Steve Murray scoring one of the goals.

“Two years later, Sandy, Sen., decided to join his son in New Zealand.

“The man wearing glasses at the left of the photo beside the ladies is Walter Smith, who Frank credits with suggesting a Lindsay & Scott Trophy.

“Walter was a Lochee Violet committee member at the time.

“I am the guy in the denim shirt and jeans (and dodgy haircut) and behind me are two fellow-apprentices Ally Coupar and Jimmy Anderson.

“Ally (the bearded one) was on the books of Dundee United at one time, and also played for Forfar Albion, Forfar West End, Kirrie Thistle and Forfar Youth Club.

“Jimmy played for St Columba’s at this time, and also played for Downfield, Coupar Angus and Auchterhouse. I remember watching Forfar YC play Auchterhouse in a North of Tay Cup Final, possible around 1979.

“Although I can confirm that Ally played for Forfar YC that day, I’m not sure if Jimmy or yourself played for Auchterhouse in that game.

“I think Auchterhouse won the match 3-2 (aet) at Forfar West End’s ground. Can you confirm.”

I did, indeed, play for Auchterhouse against Forfar Youth Club in that 1978 final.

Jimmy was at the club at the time, but I don’t think he was involved in that particular final.

I see Jimmy on occasions and certainly at the annual Auchterhouse reunion, which usually takes the shape of a golf outing and a few sarsaparillas (see end of article).

In fact, my invitation for this year’s golf outing and dance on June 17/18 has just dropped through the letterbox.

As for that North of Tay Final, I was directly up against Ally and he was a very good player, strong and extremely skilful.

The game was on a midweek evening and was played at Forfar West End’s Strathmore Park, and saw FYC go two goals up in the first few minutes of the game.

We gradually got things back together and levelled to take the final to a replay.

I remember sitting in the dressing-room immediately after the game, discussing with team-mates how we’d give them a good hiding when we ‘got them back to Dundee’ for the second game.

The dressing-room door then burst open and a fuming Tam Mulgrew (manager) and trainer (Drew Herd) told us the North of Tay committee, in their wisdom, had decided the replay would be at the same venue, giving an obvious (and unfair, in our opinion) advantage to the Forfar side.

The second game was on a Sunday afternoon and was played in brilliant sunshine.

Auchterhouse at that time were “based” at the Toby Jug public-house in Victoria Street, Dundee, and we took two double-decker buses full of supporters to the Sunday game.

There was no scoring in the 90 minutes, and Malcolm Graham netted the winner in extra time.

This gave Auchterhouse their fifth North of Tay Cup win in successive years, creating a record as they overtook YM Anchorage’s four-in-a-row feat from 1949-52.

I stated at the time that the Auchterhouse record would never be equalled, never mind beaten, and I stand by that assertion to this day.

Davie Wemyss’ Riverside Athletic had a go when they won the trophy three years in succession from 1996-1998.

I was fortunate to be part of the treble-winning Auchterhouse team of season 1977-78. We were denied the grand slam that season as we were beaten in the final of the Gray Trophy by Tayport.

No need for me to go into details of that game, as it has been gleefully regaled in this column in previous times by Tayport stalwarts Abby Oswald and Ian Brown.

For the record, Riverside, of the clubs still in existence, hold the record (8) for most wins in the competition, followed by NCR, who won the trophy six times in the 1960s.

The now-defunct YM Anchorage lead the all-time list with 10 successes.

This year’s Auchterhouse/Glendale reunion is on Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18.

Alyth Golf Club hosts the golf outing, with the dance the following evening in The Marquee, Dundee.

Details from Dennis Elder (01382 827426 or 07711 038772) or Jake Donnelly (01250 874169 or 07919 014682).