WHAT A FIVE-A-SIDES TEAM THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN . . . BUT WHO WOULD HAVE PLAYED IN GOAL?

At the recent Auchterhouse/Glendale reunion golf day, we reflected, as usual, on past glories and successes.

And one name which kept cropping up was the Dundee FC goalkeeper of the time (mid-1970s), ALLY DONALDSON.

Ally is held in high esteem in Auchterhouse folklore, as he took charge of the training sessions during their successful years — and it’s reckoned that many of the cup and league successes were, ultimately, down to the team’s fitness.

So, who should get in touch with BwB but the towering former Dens Park custodian himself, who now runs the Pet And Garden Centre establishment in Carnoustie.

“I hope you had an enjoyable time at the Auchterhouse reunion,” said Ally, who also played for Falkirk.

“Just the other day, we had some interesting visitors to the shop.

“First of all, Alan Gilzean and his son Ian came in, both, of course, former Dundee players.

“Then, no more than half-an-hour later, Sandy Davie, the ex-Dundee United goalkeeper came in with his wife.

“I mentioned his name had come up a few weeks ago in BwB in the Dundee FC league-winning photo.

“Then, 10 minutes later, I met Donald Ford, the former Hearts striker, outside the shop.

“I recounted who had been to the shop that day, and he quipped, ‘We could have a five-a-sides team’.

“However, he did not say who the goalie would be.”

DUNCRAIG’S SCOTTISH SUCCESS

Our plea for a photo of Famous Grouse Scottish C up winners Duncraig was answered by Dundee postie IAN MANZIE.

“This is the Duncraig team (pictured at foot of column) from season 1982-83 which won the Scottish Cup,” said Ian.

“Duncraig played in the Dundee Sunday Welfare Second Division at the time because we were a new team, having just come through the boys club ranks a few seasons earlier.

“We also won the Second Division title that season, in addition to two local cups.

“That particular Scottish Cup campaign started off when we met fellow-Dundee side Powrie at Caird Park.

“They were from the Morning League, so there was quite a bit of rivalry in the air.

“It was a bad-tempered match throughout, but we won through with goals from I. Matthew (2) and G. Smith.

“In the next round, we met Thorntree at Kirkton Park, and two goals from “Butch” Jamieson earned us a draw.

“There were no replays and the tie went to a penalty shoot-out, which we won.

“Duncraig then won another five ties before reaching the semi-final stage and a pairing with hot favourites Edinburgh side Cambridge United.

“They were confident of winning, and agreed to play the semi in Dundee rather than a neutral venue. A large crowd at Downfield Park saw D. O’Neill and D. Pratt score for Duncraig to send Cambridge home with their tails between their legs.

“The final that year was at Shotts, and it was a memorable day as we beat Lesmahagow 3-1 with goals from Bill McIlroy, Davie O’Neill and Brian Cosgrove.”

TELE HONOURED

In midweek, at their annual presenation evening in the Caird Hall, Dundee, I received a plaque from the Dundee and Distict Youth League in recognition of the part the Evening Telegraph plays in highlighting their league (fixtures, match reports, photos, &c.).

Pictured (below) handing over the award is Scottish Youth FA official Angus McConnell, JP.