SUNDAY AT KIRKTON GROUNDS

. . . “JIM MCLEAN WOULD HAVE WENT MENTAL IF HE HAD SEEN SOME OF THE TACKLES FLYING IN”

Noticing the headline in BwB (Aug. 26) “Milk Boy A Payne To Graeme”, London resident COLIN BARRON realised the story came from a guy he lost touch with.

“I’ve known Graham Aberdein for around 45 years, but lost touch with him in the 1980s,” said Colin.

“I’ve now been down in London for over 26 years.

“I visited him twice in Toronto, staying with him in 1981 and met him again in 1987 while I was staying with another friend in the city.

“I also used to play football on Sundays in the 1970s.

“Aber’s comments about having wee Payney’s number made me giggle.

“Graeme was in the Dundee United first team at the time and manager Jim McLean would have went mental if he had seen some of the tackles flying in.

“Some of the others who used to go down to the Kirkton High School grounds on Sundays were Jim Morton (ex-St Johnstone), Billy Gavine (ex-Arbroath), Jim Spence (now with BBC) and Nigel Squire (ex-Dundee FC director).

“We used to have a good laugh in those days.

“I always read your page in the ‘Tully’ when I come up from London.

“I also played alongside a couple of players in the Lochee United Currie Cup-winning team which was in your page on August 26.”

BILL WAS FLOYD’S CHAUFFEUR

Manchester resident TOM McGOVERN, formerly of Dundee, recalls the days when boxing was big in Dundee.

“Having read your article on Floyd Patterson on September 2, I can reveal it was my best friend Bill Nesbitt who drove Patterson around when he visited Dundee,” said Tom.

“Bill, who stayed in Elm Street, Logie, was a chauffeur with Dundee City Council.

“Bill was, indeed, a gentleman and I’m sure he would have many good stories.

“I also saw the article on Dundee Amateur Boxing Club, and I have a feeling I might know Robert McCabe.

“My best pal at Lawside Academy was Dan Gilfeather.

“I was a member of my dad’s club (boxing) in Cox’s Mill.

“On one occasion, I fought Archie McTaggart, Dick’s brother, at the Belmont Club in Annfield Street.

“By the way, Dennis Gilfeather, Sen., is still alive and in London beside his son Dan.

“The men who ran these clubs deserve much credit as they gave the youths of Dundee a purpose in life. Most of us were not rich, but we were seldom bored.

“I was not in Dan’s class as a boxer, but I loved his dad’s club and thought Dennis, Sen., was a hero.

“I always thought Dick McTaggart’s boxing style was similar to Gilbert Johnson, who also visited the Gilfeather club on a few occasions.

“Gilbert was an expert on defensive boxing.

“Like Dick, he was tall and very difficult to hit.”

Tom, who recently celebrated his 71st birthday, continued, “My father helped to run St Stephen’s Football Club, looking after the U/16 team.

“Among others, Tommy and Jimmy McAnearney played for them. They both eventually went to Sheffield Wednesday and Tom became captain.

“I still keep in touch with Dan Gilfeather, and also another pal Bert Wilkie, who went to Spurs in 1956 from Lochee Harp.

“Dan and Bert both played for Lawside and Dundee Schoolboys.

“I always remember my days in Lochee as being very happy.

“Drugs were unheard of then, and the elderly were safe in their homes. It was a better society all round.”

ALSO-RAN WORLD CUP?

With Scotland having emerged as “world beaters” yet again after their splendid win in Slovenia, maybe we could host an alternative World Cup next summer.

After all, we are in good company.

Reigning European champions Greece won’t be in Germany, either, and neither will also-rans such as Denmark, Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Cameroon, Republic of Ireland and Austria.