PADDY AND “LEGS” . . . LETHAL STRIKERS

DAVID WEST, of Crossford, sent in some cuttings of matches played in Perthshire in 1952.

“These are match reports of games I attended while on holiday in Strathtay in the early 1950s,” said David, who runs a haulage firm from the Fife town.

“Both matches were played during the last week of the spring holidays and they were a great attraction for a boy of nine years.

“The first was a qualifying tie for the Dewar Shield, played at Pitlochry’s new recreation ground.

“It was between Perthshire Cup holders Breadalbane and St Johnstone, which the latter won 6-0.

“Paddy Buckley scored a hat-trick in this game, his third-last outing for Saints before being transferred to Aberdeen.

“Paddy had already scored four goals the previous Monday against East Fife and he scored again in his final game for Saints — the final of the B Division Supplementary Cup against Clyde. That made eight goals in a week for Paddy.

“Saints other scorers against Breadalbane were Miller, Cannon and Peat.

“The St Johnstone line-up was (in old 2-3-5 formation) — Christie; Hodge, Blyth; McGowan, Innes, McCall; Goldie, Miller, Buckley, Cannon, Peat.

“The Breadalbane side was (2-3-5) — Mackie; McArthur, Robertson; J. Rattray, Smollet, Sharp; Morton, R. Rattray, A. Rattray, Morrison, Preston.

“The other game I witnessed while on that holiday was a friendly played at Aberfeldy between an Aberfeldy/Grandtully Select and East Fife.

“The Methil side were in their prime and fielded a strong team, with many first-team regulars of the time.

“This game also finished 6-0, obviously to East Fife, with the legendary Charlie ‘Legs’ Fleming scoring four. The other goals came from Gardiner and Black.

“To see ‘Legs’ in the flesh was a great thrill. He came from Blairhall, so was more or less a Dunfermline boy like myself.

“The East Fife line-up was (2-3-5) — Curran; Weir, S. Stewart; Christie, Finlay, Addison; J. Stewart, Fleming, Gardiner, Black, Duncan.

“Among those who turned out for the select were Williamson (Grandtully), McArthur (Breadalbane), Rees (G), Gordon (G), Sim (G), Morrison (B), Shaw (B), Punton (B), and two named Rattray from Breadalbane.

“I wonder if any of your readers also remember these games”

See also photo at foot of column.

GORDON BRINGS OUT THE SILVER

Former Gillburn Rangers stalwart Gordon Bruce, mine host at the Arctic Bar in the centre of Dundee, has sent in photos of old Angus Amateur FA trophies.

“I noticed there were mentions recently of these trophies in BwB,” said Gordon, recently appointed as president of the Dundee Licensed Trade Association.

“These are the Angus Challenge Cup (left) and the Thomson Trophy.

“I joined Gillburn Rangers when they were promoted to the First Division. When we were expelled, we turned out as Coldside United and the first side we met under our new name was St Mungo’s.”

Our photo on the right shows Gordon (left) being congratulated by outgoing DLTA president Jonathan Stewart.

NOT QUITE 100% CHARLIE

CHARLIE WALKER, of Lochee, takes us back to former Dundee, Tottenham and Scotland goalkeeper Bill Brown.

“I reckon Dundee were beaten by Clyde at Dens when he made his debut in the early 1950s.

I’m sure the team was (2-3-5) — Brown; Follon, Ancell; Cowie, Pattillo, Boyd; Hill, Toner, Gerrie, Ewen, Andrews. Can you confirm this and the match details and any info on the player Andrews?”

Bill Brown’s first game was a 1-0 defeat from Clyde at Dens on January 14, 1950, in front of 11,000 fans.

Dundee lined up as Charlie stated with one exception, Archibald in place of Ancell.

Left-winger Jimmy Andrews joined the Dark Blues from Inverness Clachnacuddin in 1945, and joined West Ham in 1955.

Charlie continued, “My favourite team is Lochee Harp and I remember Bill Brown facing this Harp forward line — Alec Glenn, Harry Cant, Peter Markie, Alfie Allsop and Willie Vannet.

“Harp had a German goalkeeper, but I can’t remember his name.”

EGG ON FACE!

Continuing our look at the Gaffta Awards — a publication by Mainstream.

“Franz Beckenbauer has really gambled all his eggs” — RON ATKINSON.

“The managerial vacancy at the club remains vacant” — DAVID PLEAT.

“Peter Shilton conceded five . . . you don’t get many of those to the dozen” — DES LYNAM.

“History is all about todays and not about yesterdays” — Commentator BRIAN MOORE.

“For Burnley to win, they are going to have to score” — CHRIS KAMARA.

“Romania are more Portuguese than German” — BARRY VENISON.

“Beckham has two feet, which a lot of players don’t have nowadays” — JIMMY HILL.

“I was feeling as sick as the proverbial donkey” — MICK McCARTHY.

“Ritchie has now scored 11 goals this season, exactly double the number he scored last season” — Commentator ALAN PARRY.

“I can see a carrot at the end of the tunnel” — STUART PEARCE.

“It’s like trying to push custard up a hill” — HOWARD WILKINSON.