Wee Tommy hit 10, one short of the record

RETIRED journalist IAIN REID got in touch from Sutton in Surrey, prompted by a BwB tale several months ago.

“I came across one of your pieces, which mentioned Gray’s football team,” he said.

“I well remember Charlie Gray, who was a very good inside-left.

“He played for YM Anchorage in the Midlands Amateur League in the late 1940s when I was inside-left with Alyth Violet.

“Charlie owned Gray’s Cinema in Lochee.

“I joined Dundee Violet at the age of 16, and played inside-right to Gilbert Crowe.

“Others in that team were ex-professionals Earl Downie (ex-Huddersfield) and, I think, his brother (whose name I forget). There was also goalkeeper Bertie Lamb, Milne (ex-Arbroath) and Willie Vanter, who, I’m sure, played at one stage for Hearts.

“Bobby Murray, ex-NCR amateur, was outside-left, and the big, yellow-haired Kirkpatrick at centre-half was captain.

“He really was a hard man to get by.

“Wee Tommy Kettle, our centre-forward, once scored about 10 goals in a game.

“However, after the game, we were told if he had scored just one more, he would have broken the league record.

“Our trainer was ex-Dundee full-back Wullie Proctor.

“He wouldn’t let us on the field if our stockings weren’t tidily turned down with no tie-ups visible.

“We were probably the strongest team in the league in those days with huge crowds, especially at Glenesk Park.

“Kids queued up for autographs at the end of each match.

“After my National Service in Egypt, Leeds United offered me attractive terms, which I turned down.

“However, my old wing-partner Gibby Crowe went to Elland Road and signed for Leeds.

“After a short spell with Alyth United, I signed for Arbroath and sustained a badly-broken ankle at the start of my second season against Morton in the Scottish Cup at Gayfield.

“I started my career in journalism on the Beano in 1952 and had a spell writing Dennis the Menace.

“George Moonie was editor and Ian Chisholm was the brilliant scriptwriter who later edited The Beezer.

“I also wrote many of the Oor Wullie strips and The Broons, and also the Busy Bella strip for your newspaper.

“In 1958, my wife Cathie and I moved to London where I worked in Fleet Street as a journalist until retirement.”

BUTTERBURN YOUTHS STAYED IN NISSEN HUTS

Pictured below are members of BUTTERBURN YOUTH CLUB (1953), who played in a tournament in Chigwell, Essex, and were put up in former Nissen huts at a youth camp. The photo was sent in by BILL GREIG, of Downfield, Dundee, who is also in the photo.

Also there is the legendary Baxter Mitchell, who was president of the club for decades.

Baxter, a local ‘plunky’ (truant) officer as I remember, was still there some 12 years later when I first joined the club.

Bill is well-known in bowling circles in the Dundee area, and also for his sterling work with the Dundee United Business Men’s Club.

Commented Bill, “At least six of the squad turned professional.

“They were Charlie Henderson (Motherwell), Duncan Young (Dundee United), Jack Martin (Sheffield Wednesday), Sandy Milne (Cardiff City), Mike Gilchrist (Portsmouth) and Harry Smith (East Fife).

“Quite a number of the other players went on to play at a decent standard with local junior teams.

“By the way, the female in the photo was the receptionist at the youth camp.”

Some of those in the back row include Baxter Mitchell, Sen., Charlie Henderson, Tommy Thoms, Alex Duncan, Sandy Mair, Duncan Young, Jack Martin, Sandy Milne, Freddie Gow, Mike Gilchrist, Bill Manderson, Ally Mitchell, Bill Greig and Ralph Henderson.

Those kneeling include Jim Howie, Baxter Mitchell, Jun., George Gall, Kinnes Christie, Jim McGuire, Harry Smith, Jim Menzies and Jim Croll.