SUPER COUPAR PICKS UP MBE FROM THE QUEEN . . . “THE VINCIES” AND OTHER CATHOLIC PRIMARY FOOTBALL TEAMS WERE VERY STRONG

Coincidentally, just as the Auchterhouse article below appears, my former team-mate at that club Grant McLean got in touch to say last week’s piece on Willie Coupar, about the Vincies, brought back happy memories.

“I was a reserve for the team which included Frannie Munro, and it was mind-boggling to watch him, as he was like a man in boys’ football,” said Grant, one of the best strikers to play in Midlands amateur football.

“He could hit a ball as hard as anybody.

“I remember a game at Rodd Road when he scored a few — and the SS Peter and Paul keeper finished the game in tears.

“I went on to captain the Vincies, but I have to say that, for some reason, all the Catholic school teams at the time were very strong, particularly the Paulies, with Tom Hunt, Gordon Clinton and, I think, Eddie Macdonald and Eddie Drozdiak.

“Also, St Pius had a good side, where Peter McCann was the big star.

“One of the problems of getting older is the memory goes (nothing to do with drink then, Grant?), but there were other great players in the Catholic primaries, like the Fox brothers, George Valentine (the smallest goalie in the world), Bert Massari and George Carswell.

“We all ended up playing together for Lawside, and there were great players in the secondary league as well.

“I wonder if Willie Coupar is the same one who was in my class at St Vincent’s?

“He had a twin sister called Margaret and he left as school dux,” concluded Grant, who also had a very successful spell in the juniors with the Grier brothers-managed Lochee United, and a stint in the seniors with Brechin City.

In a further twist to this tale, Willie Coupar then got back in touch with more personal details.

He also threw in the small fact that he has, in the past fortnight, been to Buckingham Palace to receive the MBE from the Queen.

He didn’t say why, but a quick delve into the Google search-engine came up with “MBE: William Coupar, Involvement and Participation Association. For services to business.”

“I was born in 1950, and lived in Princes Street,” said Willie, now resident in the London area.

“From 1956, we stayed in Fintry.

“My mother lived there until 2003, but is now living in a nursing home in Monifeith.

“At St Vincent’s Primary, when we won the A. C. Little Cup three times in a row, the headmaster was Mr Robb, but the team was run by a teacher called Tom Kirkwood.

“At Lawside Academy, which also had good teams, the side was run by the janitor, Bob Fraser.

“I wasn’t a very good football player, but was always willing to ‘mind the coats’.

“I worked for bus companies from 1974-1993.

“I now run an industrial relations company in London.”

AUCHTERHOUSE WON FIVE TROPHIES IN SEVEN DAYS

As you read this, I’ll probably have already trooped wearily off Alyth Golf Course to hand in my scorecard — that is if I’ve not already ripped it up!

Golf is a great game, but I just can’t seem to hack it.

Anyway, the reason for my trip to rural Perthshire is because of the Auchterhouse/Glendale reunion this weekend.

After today’s golf, former players and committee will meet at The Marquee, Dundee, tomorrow evening for a dance (details from Dennis Elder 01382 827426 or 07711 038772 or Jake Donnelly 01250 874169 or 07919 014682).

And, with appropriate timing, former ’House man-mountain defender GEORGE MOIR has sent in the photo at the foot of this column.

He also reminds me of a quite extraordinary feat by this talented outfit — who played together a couple of years before I joined the team.

“This is the team from season 1975-76, which won the Grand Slam,” proudly stated George, who now manages Kelso in the Midlands AFA Premier Division.

“Not only that but we actually won all five trophies in the space of a week — clinching the league title and winning the Gray Trophy, Bremner Cup, North of Tay Cup and Duncraig Trophy.

“The Duncraig Trophy was contested by the winners of the North of Tay Cup and the Fife Cup, and we beat Star Hearts that year.”

Pictured are (back row, from left) — Bobby Taylor, Dunc Tosh, Andy Brown, George Moir, Dave Tosney, Danny Ross, Derek Dyer.

Front row — John Evans, Jim Milne, Doug Berrie, Steve Graham, Grant McLean, Colin Watson.

Of course, this feat of winning five trophies was emulated just last weekend when Riverside Athletic won the Buckman/Mackie Trophy to complete the Grand Slam in domestic competitions.

GAME DECIDED BY CORNERS

Staying on the Midlands theme, ALLY MARTIN, current secretary of the association, got in touch.

“I was intrigued to read about the five-a-side team who lost a game on corners (BwB, May 27),” he said.

“In season 1957-58, due to a backlog of fixtures, the Midlands AFA agreed that, for all association cup-ties, games would be played to a finish.

“That meant 90 minutes, then extra time, then the first corner or goal thereafter.

“This seemed to persist until the 1962-63 season.

“I wonder if any of your readers played in a cup-tie which was decided on corners?”

PLEA FOR DUNCRAIG DETAILS

Bill McIlroy writes all the way from Pakistan, where he is currently based, with a plea for a photo of a local team who were Scottish Cup winners.

"When are you going to highlight the 1983 Sunday Scottish Cup winners Duncraig?" he asked, getting right to the point.

"Duncraig were playing in the Dundee Sunday Welfare AFA Second Division at the time we lifted the national trophy.

"In the final, we played Lesmahagow at the Shotts Bon Accord Junior FC ground, winning 3-1. Scorers were Davie O'Neil, myself and Brian Cosgrove.

"I remember the report in the Peoples Journal saying Davie had scored two, so now could be the time to put the record straight."

Duncraig didn't seem to last long in the Welfare League, going for just three or four seasons, if I remember correctly.

That was probably because they were that good — and senior and junior clubs were picking up their players.

If any reader has further tales on Duncraig, or even that cup final team photo, get in touch.