Grier brothers honoured

Word has reached me that Dundee’s charismatic Grier brothers are to be honoured with a sportsman’s dinner later this year.

The event is the brainchild of some of their former players — George Malone, Brian Flynn, Sean McMahon and Martin Lindsay — among others.

I’ve never hidden my admiration for Willie, George and the late Lewis, and a cold chill went through me when I checked the date of the dinner and found it was on a weekend I have marked down as a holiday.

However, there is no way I could miss such an event, such is the support and friendship they have given me for nearly 40 years.

So my good wife Yvonne — not a great lover of football — immediately agreed to try to change the date as she knew what this meant to me.

From the 1960s through to 2004, they ran a number of successful football teams from Lochee Boys Club to junior outfits Lochee United and Downfield.

Hundreds upon hundreds of aspiring Peles, Maradonas and Dalglishs have passed through the brothers’ capable hands, many going on to make successful careers in the game.

Their success was not just confined to the local Dundee area as the trio took both junior outfits to the brink of Scottish Cup success, only to be denied at the semi-final stages.

Local achievements, though, were numerous league titles, and countless local and regional cups.

One of their admirers once said to me, “If the players who won trophies while playing under the Griers lined up their medals, they would stretch from Lands End to John O’ Groats’. That’s maybe exaggerating, but definitely from Fintry to Lochee!

The brothers combined an extensive array of management skills, ranging from exceptionally-detailed research on opponents to advanced training techniques, some of which were adopted by professional managers in years to come.

The most telling aspect of their style was the ability to understand what made an individual player tick while always fostering a formidable team spirit.

The Griers would be the first to admit much of the success achieved relied on the unstinting support they received from the respective committees they worked alongside, as well as constructive criticism from many a supporter.

I could relate other instances and wee snippets — and there are many which stand out for me. But I’m tempted to leave them until nearer the time of this dinner — which goes ahead at the Invercarse Hotel, Dundee, on Sunday, September 11, and I would imagine there will be an almighty clamour for tickets.

The organising committee have asked that all former players, committee members and associates of Willie, George and Lewis make their interest known at the earliest possible time.

Details of speakers and other activities will be forthcoming and will be fed out through BwB and the Tele.

A testimonial match has also been mooted and many “old boys” will come out of retirement to play in that one.

Willie and George will probably have a pool of around 50-70 to choose from for this game.

Obviously, there are many details still to be sorted out and further info can be had from committee members George (643331) and Martin (641778).