GREAT DEE NAMES ON A 10-BOB NOTE

DOUG SHERRIFF, manager of the Millar’s menswear shop in Gray Street, Broughty Ferry, responds to a recent Tele photo.

“The photo of Dundee Chief Executive Peter Marr with the team’s tartan strip, used in the 1953 tour of South Africa, brought back memories,” said Doug.

“I was just nine years old at the time, but my uncle, Ken McIntosh, also a Dundonian, was then living in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), but was working in South Africa when the Dark Blues were there.

“He went along to their team hotel and managed to get most of the players to sign their autographs on a ‘10-bob note’.

“It is actually a Rhodesian note — and one of the more prominent signatures on it is the late, great Billy Steel’s.

“I now have that note.

“I’ve had offers to give it up, but it’s staying firmly with me.”

So, after hearing Doug’s tale, our photographer was despatched down to his place of work.

And, in a wonderful quirk of fate, who should be in Millar’s at the time but the legendary Doug Cowie.

The elegant wing-half played 446 games for the Dark Blues (1945-61) and was capped 20 times for Scotland.

But, more importantly to this story, he was part of the aforementioned Dundee FC touring party and his signature is crystal clear on the note.

See photos at foot of column.

PLAYERS USED TO HIDE UP CLOSIES

DAVIE WATSON, from Toronto, Canada, originally sent in Butterburn Youth Club photos, and was tickled to read our December 23 offering.

“When I read your article about the ’Burn, I thought it was smashing,” he said.

“However, I got a chill seeing Dave McHardy and Baxter Mitchell again.

“Wow . . . that brought back a lot of memories.

“Regards the Butterburn training, do you remember the logs of wood they had at the school?

“They were about four foot long and we had to lie on our backs with the log over our shoulders doing sit-ups.

“It was murder!

“Also, as you mentioned, running up and down the school stairs, and you weren’t allowed to miss out a step.

“And, running around The Law. Gee-whiz!

“Some of my team-mates used to hide up closies and wait on the rest of us coming back again.

“On my first day at the club, Dave put me into the gym with Gorrie (Gordon Gallacher). He would fire one-timers at me and I would have to return his passes back to him.

“Some of them were all over the gym. However, I passed the test and went on to play for Butterburn for four years from 14 years old. We used to strip at Gussie Park, then walk to games on the streets with our kit on. And we never gave it a second thought.

“These were great days and it was a really lovely article. Thanks for the memories.”

Local amateur referee RONNIE DITTRICH also responded to the piece.

“I loved your article about Butterburn Youth Club. It brought back great memories as I was at school (Morgan Academy) with you and some of the other names mentioned.

“I was also quite friendly with Billy Christison and it was good to read about him. Even though I played just a few games, I remember it as a great experience.”

Ronnie came in again after our “double-header” piece from January 6, in which Rangers drew with Dundee at Dens, while United’s went down to Hearts on the same day to an amazing 6-5 scoreline.

“What was the Rangers team that day,” asked Ronnie, a self-confessed (Light) Bluenose.

Rangers lined up — Sorenson; Johanson, Mathieson; Greig, Hynd, D. Smith; Henderson, Penman, Ferguson, Johnston, Persson.

For the record, Dundee’s team was — Donaldson; R. Wilson, Cox; Murray, Easton, G. Stewart; Campbell, J. McLean, S. Wilson, G. McLean, Scott.

THE VERY FIRST YEAR OF THORNTON HIBS

Whyte and Mackay Fife Junior League outfit THORNTON HIBS are currently enjoying their 70th year in the junior ranks.

To mark the occasion, they are hosting a Sportsman’s Dinner in Pinkertons, Glenrothes, on Saturday, March 4.

The speakers are Willie Allan, Stuart Coull and George McNeill.

Tickets, costing £25, will be available soon from John Laing (01592 630459 or 07940 121671).

John sent in this photo (below) of Hibs from their first season (1935-36).

The only player he can identify is goalkeeper Jimmy Stevenson.