"HOUSE-HUNTING IN MANCHESTER"

Lochee's ANDY WALKER mourns the passing of Celtic legend Jimmy Johnstone, and recalls the time when he was in "Jinky's" company.

"When Celtic's greatest player Jimmy Johnstone died recently, it became evident that the word 'genius' was not enough to describe this man," said Andy.

"Having watched his career with Celtic, this man never let the team, supporters or neutrals down.

"Some of the highlights of his career were winning the European Cup, being adjudged Player of the Match in Alfredo de Stefano's testimonial game, and scoring twice in Scotland's 4-3 Hampden defeat by England in 1966.

"Sure, everyone will have their favourite Jinky moment, but, for me, when Celtic played Athletico Madrid in one of the most brutal football matches ever played, time and again he was kicked, punched, hacked, elbowed, spat on and tripped.

"Everyone knew Jimmy had an explosive temper, but, on this occasion, his answer was, 'Gie's the ball', he did not buckle to their provocation.

"He just go up, beat them with skill and, over the 90 minutes, he answered every dirty trick with skill and bravery.

"That particular European night was played under floodlights with a thin mist hanging over the pitch.

"Everybody could see Jimmy's red hair bobbing and jinking around the pitch. It was a beacon where he was. Today's so-called superstars are not in his class.

"I had the privilege to be in Jimmy's company on a few occasions and, at one, another late, great - George Best - was present.

"The discussion was that Matt Busby wanted Jimmy for Manchester United, which was a mouth-watering thought, but the Old Trafford boss backed off because of his friendship with Jock Stein.

"Jimmy said he had a fall-out with Stein and asked him to confirm the Man. U. rumour.

"Stein denied it, so Jimmy just went AWOL for a couple of days.

"Big Jock was livid and, when he returned, asked, 'Where have you been?'

"Jimmy replied, 'House-hunting in Manchester!' Stein was speechless.

"Jimmy Johnstone was, indeed, a genius, but with a devilish streak.

"There are other Parkhead greats such as Dalglish, Nicholas, Moravcik and Larsson, but Jimmy leads by the length of Celtic Park."

HOW ANGELO DUNDEE GOT HIS NAME

From time to time, my colleague

James Masson, who knows a thing or two about boxing, is asked how did famous boxing trainer Angelo Dundee get his name.

Angelo was the man who coached Muhammad Ali to fistic glory and James delights in telling the story of just how Angelo and his brother Chris came to take on Dundee as their surname.

"Angelo and Chris are Americans of Italian descent and, from a very young age, wanted to become boxers," James recalled.

"But their father expressly forbade it and so, in order to pull on the gloves, they had to change their surnames to avoid detection by their dad.

"As Johnny Dundee, the former world welterweight champion was their favourite boxer, they decided to become Angelo and Chris Dundee.

"But Johnny Dundee's real surname wasn't Dundee.

"He took his surname from his trainer Scotty Menteith, who came from - yes, you've guessed it - right here in Dundee."

Incidentally, James once met Chris in Glasgow when he was a coach to Sugar Ray Minus, who was in the city to successfully defend his Commonwealth bantamweight crown against Donnie Hood.

He asked Chris if he had ever been to Dundee and Chris said he hadn't. But he told James Angelo had made a quick trip to Dundee when over in Britain on a boxing trip some years earlier.

REMEMBER WHEN BINGO-LOVER TAN SCORED FOUR, BUT STILL ENDED UP ON THE LOSING SIDE

DAVIE DYE, who played football locally in the 1970s and 1980s, gets in touch from sunny Tenerife.

"I have been living in Tenerife for four years now and check BwB online every week," he emailed.

"I played in the junior grade for East Craigie, Blairgowrie, Hydro Dynamo and Forfar West End, and also in the amateurs and juveniles for Kingsway Tech., Timex, Longforgan and Lochee Renton amongst others.

"Recently, my mum came out to see me and, when I picked her up from the airport, she said that, not long ago, she spotted one of my old team-mates, Ian "Tannadice" Cruickshanks at the bingo, and he said not to tell anyone.

"I played in a few teams with Tan.

"There was one game for Lonforgan when we met Grove and Tan scored four goals for us, but it was to no avail as we were beaten 5-4.

"I try to keep in touch with friends back in Dundee and am usually home three or four times a year, but it is impossible to have a pint with everyone.

"However, it's great when people call on me out here.

"I now have a season ticket to watch CD Tenerife and they are doing about as well as the Dundee teams at the moment.

"But I do believe in supporting your home team.

"Tommy Allan, ex-Downfield JFC committee, and I meet up for the games and a drink.

"He has been out here eight years now."

STOBSWELL GOALKEEPER

Reader JANE FOX NUGENT is researching her family tree.

"My uncle Patrick Fox was a well-known football player in the Dundee area before the war. He was a goalkeeper with Stobswell.

"He was killed in 1945, aged around 33, when his Merchant ship was sunk.

"I remember seeing a photograph of him some years ago and I would be grateful for a copy and any information on him."

HARRIS SLAUGHTER

ERIC DARGIE got in touch once again from Australia.

"Thanks for putting in the bit about the Morgan U/14 team (BwB, April 21)," he opened.

"I met Clem Mann recently and he said that another of our friends, George Matthews, said there was no way Morgan ever beat Harris.

"I was wondering if anyone can remember the actual score of the replay that year.

"It's my recollection that we did not just beat them . . . we slaughtered them.

"Clem and I live about an hour's drive from each other in New South Wales and often discuss the state of football in Dundee.

"I was also interested to read about Dundee Hibernian (May 19).

"Was this not the same team who eventually changed their name to Dundee United?"