DAY JACK AND JOHNNY LOST 37 GOALS
DAVID WEST found the High Valleyfield tale (BwB, April 14) amusing and has uncovered another couple of stories from the worlds of junior and amateur football.
On November 13, 1954, I remember a headline in the local paper stating, ‘The day Jack and Johnny lost 37 goals’,” said David, who runs his own haulage business in Crossford, Fife.
“Jack Melville was a 23-year-old goalkeeper with Stanley FC at the time, and he let in 18 against Blairgowrie that day.
“He had just come back from a fractured finger, sustained in his last game in which he picked the ball out of the net 10 times against Newburgh.
“But, back to the headline, and Valleyfield goalkeeper Johnny Johnston went one ‘better’ when he let in 19 goals against Dundonald Bluebell — one goal for each of his 19 years.”
David also recalled the time a spectator scored a hat-trick in a match.
“On October 24, 1953, Auchtermuchty were having difficulty raising a team and persuaded four spectators to play in the game against Glencraig Colliery,” he continued.
“After a shaky start, Auchtermuchty ran out 4-1 winners, with one of the ‘trialists’ scoring a hat-trick, thus maintaining the team’s league challenge with the likes of Crossgates Primrose and Lochore Welfare.”
“CLEVER GOAL, MADE NICE OPENINGS”
ANDREW CLARK, of Dundee firm Andrew Clark Slaters, sent in an old newspaper cutting of Rockwell from February 1961.
It was taken as part of a feature by then Dundee FC skipper Bobby Cox, and the match he featured was a 3-3 draw against Stobswell in a cup-tie.
For the feature, Bobby would go along to see a school team play, have his photo taken with them, then give a few words of analysis on each player.
And, as Andrew points out, this column’s old friend Davie Bruce was featured. Bobby said of centre-forward Davie at the time, “He reminds me of Jim Sharkey, of Airdrie. A very tricky ball player, but inclined to overdo it at times.”
And the Dens Park legend’s view on Andrew? — “Scored a clever goal and made some nice openings for his mates. Should get into the game a bit more.”
Unfortunately, the cutting sent in was very faint and we couldn’t reproduce the photo.
Other players in the picture were John Vaughan, Barry Thomson, David Barrowman, David Reid, David Oswald, James Robertson (captain), Ian Drysdale, Gordon Beat and Frank McDonald.
Andrew went on to play for Butterburn YC, Harris FP and Broughty Athletic juniors.
PO PHONES ON FILM
Former Dundee Sunday Boys match secretary STEWART ROBERTSON has unearthed a colour film of a local cup final over 20 years ago.
"I played for Morgan FP around the early 1980s and, in 1982, we reached our first cup final since 1971 against PO Phones," recalled Stewart, who now referees in the Perth area. "We went down 3-2 after extra time.
"However, the final was recorded on film - a rare event in those days.I have taken the original beta tape and have turned it into a DVD with titles.
"Through your popular page, I ask any players of that team to contact me if they would like a copy."
You can contact Stewart on stewartjordan12@tiscali.co.uk
RAN PAPER KIOSK
TOM McGOVERN, of Manchester, harks back to the Jim Brady story of February 17.
“I knew Jim,” revealed Tom, “and he ran a newspaper kiosk on Lochee Road, opposite Polepark.
“This would be about 1950.
“Jim married a lass from the Boylan family.
“Her brother Pat was a well known-football character and I think he played for the Shamrock.”
Tom also offers some info on our Tottenham Hotspur piece from March 24.
“My old school pal at Lawside Academy, Bert Wilkie, signed for Spurs from Lochee Harp in 1956,” he continued.
“Bert played with Spurs for five or six seasons, then had a spell with Romford before retiring from football and becoming a bank manager.
“He settled in Hemel Hempstead and I still keep in touch with him.
“Bert is a Lochee lad, and his family lived in Mid Street, near Tipperary in Lochee.
“Bert and Dan Gilfeather played for the Dundee Schoolboys select.
“Albert Selina wanted both of them for the St Stephen’s team, and my late dad looked after their U/16 side.
“The McAnearney brothers, Tom and Jimmy, also both played for Saints, and both went on to have long careers with Sheffield Wednesday.
“Tom was captain at Hillsborough for several seasons and was once described as the best uncapped wing-half in Britain.”
HIGGINS DOUBLE
“SNOOKER FAN” has asked me to clear up a bit of confusion between him and his mate.
“My mate said Alex Higgins beat John Spencer in the 1972 Embassy World Championship Final, then beat Ray Reardon 10 years later,” he said.
“However, I reckon it was Steve Davis that ‘Hurricane’ beat in 1982.
“Can you confirm?”
If you have put money on this, Snooker Fan, you lose.
Your mate is totally correct.
ST ROCH AFC 1926-27
MARY SANDEMAN, of Glenconnor Drive, Dundee, sent in this photo (below) of ST ROCH FC, who were the D&D Amateur League champions in season 1926-27.
Mary’s dad John and her two uncles Charlie (Chic) and Robert are also in the photo.
Mary doesn’t know very much about the team’s roots or history, and would welcome any input.
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