Promoted twice with United . . .

STEVE GRACIE, who currently works for Dundee United, wants to enlist the help and knowledge of BwB readers, especially from the late 1920s to early 1930s.

“A great niece of Jim Cameron, who played for Dundee United from late 1928 until the end of season 1930-31, is trying to piece together his football career,” said Steve.

“Jim was born in 1906 and played junior football in Dundee in the mid/late 1920s.

“He was with Central FC in 1922-23 as he has a medal from the FJFA, which I assume is the Forfarshire Junior FA.

“By 1927-28, he was with Lochee Harp and it appears they won the Courier Cup in 1927-28 (top medal at foot of column).

“In December 1928, he joined Dundee United and made his official debut in a 4-0 win over King’s Park on January 2, 1929.

“However, it transpires he actually played and scored a week prior to that match as United won 6-1 against Bathgate.

“Unfortunately, Bathgate resigned from the league and the record of that match was expunged.

“Jim, a left-winger, went on to play 69 league matches for United, scoring 18 goals.

“He also appeared in eight Scottish Cup ties, netting once.

“He helped United to promotion twice.

“They won the Second Division championship in 1928-29 and he was also in the side that took the runners-up place two seasons later.

“After he was freed by United in May 1931, he went to Chester City for a short time before playing for Shelbourne.

“He won a runners-up medal in the Challenge Cup in Ireland.

“He appears to have returned to Scotland in 1932 and played for Celtic before signing for Arbroath.

“Tragically, in December 1935, at the age of only 29, Jim contracted pneumonia and died.

“At the time, he was still an Arbroath player.

“I attach photos of his junior medals and I would be interested to find out if anyone has information on Central FC (middle) and also what DCFA (bottom) stands for.

“As you can see, the medal shows the coat of arms of Dundee, so it must be a local association.”

BRIAN ENJOYED HIS CONDOR MOMENT

BRIAN WRIGHT got in touch from somewhere other than Dundee.

“I am nearly 74 years old and I served as an artificer apprentice at HMS Condor, Arbroath from January 1950 until December 1952,” he said.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Scotland and made many friends (especially the female kind).

“I’m writing my life story and am trying to recall playing football for Condor against YM Anchorage.

“I played as an old fashioned No. 7 or No. 9 and remember beating Anchorage 3-1 at Condor in the Midland League.

“I scored in that match.

“The headquarters of YM was on board a wooden sailing vessel anchored in the docks.

“Does anyone remember the name of the vessel?

“Is it still there?

“Is the team still in action?

“During the early 1950s, there was a narrow street in the centre of Dundee which appeared to be one to avoid.

“It had amusement arcades and was patrolled by two large policemen who, it was rumoured, wore two greatcoats to make themselves even more formidable.

“Can readers recall the name of this street?

“I can’t find it on any modern map of the city.

“But then, most things I knew early in my life have been knocked down or otherwise changed out of all recognition.”

YM Anchorage and Condor no longer have teams playing locally at amateur level and I think the ship might be the Unicorn, which is still berthed in Dundee.

The street Brian mentions might be one of the small streets off the old Overgate, but some older readers might be able to clarify more.

JUNIOR CROWD-PULLERS

London-based WILLIE COUPAR took time out from polishing his recently-acquired MBE to post a couple of queries about the Junior game in Dundee.

“I read your column every week on the internet and you kindly followed up some of my queries last year, especially the one about the St Vincent’s team which won the AC Little Cup three years on the trot around 1960,” opened Willie, who received his gong from the Queen last summer for ‘Involvement and Participation Association; for services to business’.

He continued, “That led to a few happy hours in the Bank Bar reminiscing with my old school mate Grant McLean. My new queries are prompted by reading David Ross’ new book on Scottish football fans, ‘The Roar Of The Crowd’.

“David reminds us of some of the massive attendance which Juniors were getting in the 1950s, pointing out that the 1951 Scottish Junior Cup Final between Petershill and Irvine Meadow had a gate of 76,650.

“I think that beats Old Trafford, Anfield and Highbury.

“So, I’d like BwB readers to help me with the following questions.

“Firstly, what is the record attendance for a junior game played in Dundee?

“I think the answer could be Harp’s 2-0 1954 Scottish Junior Cup semi-final replay win at Dens Park against Clydebank Juniors.

“Secondly, what is the record attendance for a game played on a junior ground in Dundee?

“This could be the game to open Violet’s Glenesk Park, which was, I think, a game involving Hibs and a Dundee Junior select.

“Third, what is the record attendance for a match between two junior teams on a junior ground in the city?”

“This would almost certainly be a Scottish Junior Cup tie.

“And, finally, what is the record gate for a match in the city between two Dundee junior teams?”