JINGS, IT’S THE SAME LANGUAGE IN LOCHEE

GORDON FELT GUILTY . . . SO HE JUMPED ON A TRAM TO CHECK OUT FARAWAY LOCHEE

GORDON OGILVIE, of Kinloch Street, Dundee, remembers going to Dens Park as young boy in the 1950s to watch a Scottish Junior Cup semi-final between Lochee Harp and Clydebank Juniors.

“I remember Harp winning 4-1 and Dundee FC signing a player from Clydebank called Joe Roy shortly afterwards,” Gordon recalls.

“The crowd appeared to be quite big, and I would like to know the exact figure.

“Being a Hilltown boy, I ended up supporting Clydebank almost by mistake as they wore deep blue colours compared to the green of the Harp and, at the time, I hardly knew where Lochee was.

“Ashamed at myself for going against a local club, I fervently supported Harp via the radio commentary in the final, which I think was played at Hampden Park.

“Unfortunately they lost, but I can’t remember the score or crowd.

“To make amends for what I saw as my misguided traitorship of a Dundee club, I took a tram car with a Lochee sign on its front to visit the ‘wee district town’ just to see it and feel the pulse of it for myself.

“I was delighted with what I found and rather amazed that the population spoke in the same strong Dundee dialect as myself.

“Indeed, more so than those from faraway Clydebank or even Broughty Ferry!

“Alas since these faraway days, I have yet to enjoy a City of Dundee Scottish Junior Cup success — although Tayport and Carnoustie Panmure are our own, almost, aren’t they?”

In that semi-final at Dens Park, Harp beat Clydebank 2-0 in front of 28,000 spectators.

Harp’s scorers were Cord and Craig, and the Beechwood Park side’s team that day on May 8, 1954, was — McMahon; Jack, Pacione, Fox, Logan, Blyth, Cord, Duncan, Caird, Bannon, Cochrane.

This was a replay as the teams had drawn 2-2 at Parkhead the previous week.

Dundee FC did, indeed, sign Joe Roy after the game and he was nicknamed “The Balding” Joe Roy by the Dens faithful because, obviously, of his receding hairline.

Fourteen days later, Harp were beaten 2-1 in the final by Aberdeen Sunnybank at Hampden Park, with the crowd being 22,600.

Duncan netted for Harp, whose only line-up change was McCann for Bannon.

Duncan and Cochrane were also capped for Scotland that year, playing in the 4-1 win over Eire at Dens Park.

WHA’S LIKE US

This week’s “Gaffta Awards” (Mainstream Publishing) is centred around former England, Newcastle, Fulham and Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan.

“England have the best fans in the world . . . and Scotland’s are second to none.”

“Chile have three options . . . they could win or they could lose.”

“Goalkeepers aren’t born today until they are in their 20s or 30s.”

“At this level, if six of you don’t turn up, you’ll get beat.”

“Argentina won’t be at Euro 2000 because they are from South America.”

“He’s using his strength, and that is his strength, his strength.”

“You can’t play with a one-armed goalkeeper — not at this level.”

“I came to Nantes two years ago and it’s much the same, except that it’s totally different.”

“Gary always weighed up his options, especially when he had no choice.”

“In some ways, cramp is worse than having a broken leg.”

“I’d love to be a mole on the wall in the dressing-room.”

“I’ve had an interest in racing all my life — or longer, really.”

“The tide is very much in our court now.”

UNITED FATHER AND SON

ALLY BRUCE, of the Northenders football quiz team, has added to our Dundee United-Dundee father-and-son list.

“I’m sure Malcolm and Sandy Robertson played for United and were father and son,” he said.

Ally’s correct. Malcolm played a couple of games for the Tangerines in the 1981-82 season, while son Sandy, formerly of Rangers, was at Tannadice over two seasons (1995-96 and 96-97).

SANDY WAS ON TRIAL AT DENS

Several readers expressed surprise that Sandy Davie, a Dundee United goalkeeper, was pictured in a Dundee FC team group.

The proof is in the print above and it was taken in August 1961 (the start of their title-winning season) as the Dens Park side held an open-doors trial game — Blues against Whites — which was the norm at that time for senior clubs.

And all this was also confirmed by no less a towering figure than ALLY DONALDSON, who played 386 times for the Dark Blues in his Dens Park career.

“When Sandy Davie appeared in the Dundee FC team photo, it was before the 1961-62 public trial match,” said Ally, who also played for Falkirk.

“I was a provisional signing for Dundee at the time and also played in this match.

“The public trial consisted of three half-hour periods. The first period was the first team against the reserve team, and then trialists and other reserves were played.

“As Dundee FC had only Pat Liney as a goalkeeper, I was called up for the 1961-62 season, and Les Cameron was also signed to provide experience as back up to Pat.

Les and I shared the reserve team matches that season and, of course, Dundee won the league title.

“I was present at Muirton Park when Dundee beat St Johnstone 3-0 to clinch the championship,

“I can remember returning to the City Square in Dundee with the team for an official celebration at the City Chambers.

“By the way, I hope you have an enjoyable time at the upcoming Auchterhouse reunion. Please pass on my best regards to all the lads.”

When at Dens, Ally trained and coached the Auchterhouse players — and many of that team credit him for much of their success in the Midlands AFA.

However, back to Sandy Davie. He was a Butterburn Youth Club player and several teams — including the two city clubs — were jostling for his signature.

He came from a Dundee-supporting family, but the fact that Dundee United had an injury problem with Rolando Ugolini at the time meant he could go almost immediately into the reserves. Donald Mackay was the first-choice United stopper. Dundee’s preferred route was that he would be farmed out to a junior side, so Sandy opted for Tannadice.

He was an apprentice gardener with NCR when he went into full-time football, and he was also a very good basketball player, playing with the NCR team.