BRILLIANT BANTER . . . AND THE LOCHEE CELTIC FOOTBALL WAS PRETTY GOOD, TOO!

THE article of January 28 on Lochee Celtic (circa 1937-38) brought back fond memories of a six-month work period TOM NAGLE had in Dundee in the early/mid 1960s.

“As I had no friends or relatives in Dundee — and this was the first time I had been away from home — this period was difficult for me,” recalls Tom, of Kandor Estate, Inverness.

“The saving grace to get me through this period was that I used to go to watch local football matches on the public parks.

“I very soon became a follower of Lochee Celtic, who played in one of the local leagues, the name of which escapes me.

“The football played by this team was brilliant.

“However, the main reason I kept watching the team was down to banter off the park from the supporters and committee of Lochee Celtic.

“I used to look forward to the weekend, and this kept me going.

“This was the best entertainment I have ever encountered at a football match — and I have since been to a few around the world, including the Anfield Kop and Nou Camp.

“Tears would be rolling down my face with the comments, antics and general enthusiasm.

“Once my six-month work placement was up, I returned home and did not see out the season.

“I have often wondered over the past 40 or so years what happened to this team.

“Did they win any trophies around that time? Are they still on the go? Are there any photos of the team/committee of that era?

“I note your correspondent on the Celtic article is Andy Walker. I am sure there were several brothers called Walker who ran the Lochee Celtic side I used to watch in the 1960s.

“I wonder if there is any connection? Perhaps your readers, or even Mr Walker, can provide some information.”

BISSETT HUTCHISON, from Dundee, also made contact re the Lochee Celtic photo.

“My uncle John Farquharson was second from left in the back row,” said Bissett.

“He had only one eye, losing it in an accident as a young boy. However, it didn’t affect his football and I was told he was a very good player. Indeed, several senior clubs took note of him, but, of course, were discouraged when being informed of his handicap.”

Bissett and other readers were also of the opinion that Saggar Street in Dundee may have been named after Dr Saggar, the GP in the photo.

However, one person certain was JIM BAKER, of Forfar.

Jim and wife Pamela got in touch to say William Robertson and Dr Saggar were related to her.

“Dr Saggar was my wife’s uncle,” said Jim, who runs his own joinery business in Forfar. William was also related on her grandmother’s side.

“Coincidentally, we are currently compiling a family tree and what should we see in the Tele but the photo of Lochee Celtic with relatives in it. Saggar Street in Dundee was definitely named after Dr Dhani and his family. Indeed, there is a book out about Dr Dhani and his brother Dr Jainti and their families telling what they did for the people of Dundee.”

ADD URE AND KOPEL

Many readers, including Arbroath’s SYE WEBSTER, Lochee’s ALLY BRUCE, Carnoustie’s WILLIE BOYD, Broughty Ferry’s SCOTT PORTEOUS and “MYSTIFYING McFARLANE”, got in touch to add Frank Kopel to our Man. Utd.-Dundee Utd. list of last week. Ally, Scott and ERIC MANZIE also put forward Ian Ure for the Man. U.-Dundee link.

How on earth did I miss them? Shame!

WILLIE PLAYED IN SUEDE SHOES

PETER CLARK was named by many as the unknown player in last week’s WESTGROVE ALBION team group.

Also mentioned was EDDIE McAULEY, who, it seems, was pictured in the team group, but named as Jimmy Low.

JIM DOCHERTY, PETER SCHIAVETTA, GEORGE “PODG” WALKER, PETER QUINN, joe carr and PETER REILLY are just half-a-dozen of the many who contacted me with these names.

“There’s a good wee story regarding Willie McDonald,” said Jim, who is secretary of Alyth Golf Club.

“I was playing for St Mungo’s when we drew 3-3 against Westgrove at The Coup (Riverside) on a winter’s day, and underfoot was brick hard.

“Willie played the game in his suede shoes. He had unbelieveable ability.”

Peter Reilly was a Gillburn Rangers player, arch-rivals of Westgrove, and he pointed out, “The cup in the photo is almost certainly the Angus Challenge Cup as I remember the Thomson Trophy was shaped more like a vase.

“As a player with Gillburn Rangers around the same time, we lifted both these trophies, perhaps a season or so before the date of last week’s photo.

“We defeated St Clement’s in both finals, having won the Second Division and the Fimister Cup the previous year in our first season.

“Unfortunately, Gillburn were expelled from the Angus AFA, and the players either went to other teams or just stopped playing.”

Joe and Peter Quinn also revealed Clark and McAuley both had Scottish Cup winners’ medals with Lochee Renton.

McAuley actually played in three Scottish finals for Renton, winning two.

Just before going to press, I spoke to Willie McDonald and he related a good Westgrove tale.

I’ll share it with you next week.

RUN LIKE A CRAB OR A GAZELLE

Some more Gaffta Awards, which is a recent publication by Mainstream Publishing.

“Zinedine Zidane could be a champion sumo wrestler. He can run like a crab or a gazelle” — HOWARD WILKINSON.

“You’ve got to miss them to score sometimes” — DAVE BASSETT.

“Who should be there at the far post but yours truly Alan Shearer” — COLIN HENDRY.

“He’s carrying his left leg, which, to be honest, is his only leg” — STEVE COPPELL.

“If that had crossed the line, it would have been a goal” — Commentator GARY BLOOM.

“When a player gets to 30, so does his body” — GLENN HODDLE.

“It’s Brazil 2, Scotland 1, so Scotland are back to where they were at the start of the match” — Commentator BARRY DAVIES.

“I’ve seen them on TV on a Sunday morning most days of the week” — JACK CHARLTON.

“They seem to be in total, if not complete, control” — Commentator JON CHAMPION.

DUNDEE ROADS CYCLING CLUB (1950-52)

And now for something completely different . . . it’s a change of sport as ALEX MORRIS, of Wiston Place, Lochee, Dundee, introduces BwB to cycling.

“The photo (below) is of the Dundee Roads Cycling Club and it was taken on the steps of Camperdown House, in Camperdown Park, Dundee,” revealed Alex, who is sitting in the front row at the far right.

“The year would be around 1950-52. The meeting-rooms for the club at this time were in Dudhope Castle, Dudhope Park.

“The rooms the club used were located on the ground floor at the right-hand side of the main entrance archway.

“On the left side of the archway, and up a stairway, the ladies’ cycling club, Heather Bell Cycling Club, were housed.”