DUNDEE FC CUP LEGENDS

I RECEIVED a recent call from JIM ISARD, well known for his association with the former Dundee Amateur Boxing Club.

The club was usually known as “The Dudhope” as they were based in Dudhope Castle.

Jim invited me to his home in Kennet Walk, where he reckoned he had some very rare photos of Dundee FC footballers from time gone by.

The photos, shown at the foot of this column, belonged to Jim’s grandfather John Thompson.

“My grandfather was a scout for Dundee Violet, and they had some sort of association with Dundee FC.

“Several young players from Dundee would be farmed out to Violet and so on.

“He stayed at 8 Rosebank Street, and I still have the original envelope these photos were delivered in.

“He worked for the North-Eastern Railway, and they were based at Dock Street, around where the Arnold Clark garage is currently situated.

“I think he just sent away for them and, since they are all from around 1910, I just presume it was to commemorate the club winning the Scottish Cup.

“However, maybe some of your readers who know a bit more of Dundee FC’s history, might be able to shed more light on this.”

Jim, now enjoying his retirement, worked as a motor mechanic with Lamb’s Garage, Halley’s, Mason & Taylor and British Road Services.,

The photos on this page feature only around half of the players who lined up for Dundee on April 20, 1910, against Clyde in the Scottish Cup Final second replay at Ibrox Stadium.

The team was — Crumley; Neal, MacEwan; Lee, Dainty, Comrie; Bellamy, Langlands, Hunter, MacFarlane, Fraser.

The previous two games were drawn (2-2 and 0-0) and the Dee fell behind in the third minute to a Chalmers goal for Clyde.

Just before half-time, Bellamy levelled.

In the second-half, Hunter took advantage of a bad error by the Clyde defence, and buried the ball into the net to win the Scottish Cup for Dundee.

The players received what, at the time, was a tremendous bonus on top of their wages, of around £10-£15.

EAST CRAIGIES BERT IS IN AUSTRALIA HALL OF FAME

LILIAN HERON, of Ellieslea Road, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, was surprised to see her uncle’s photograph in BwB recently (Sept. 1).

“He was in the front row, second left in the East Craigie Juniors picture.

“He is BERT ROBERTSON, known in his playing days as ‘Doodles’ Robertson.

“I have sent your page to him in at his current home in Perth, Western Australia.

“I’m sure he will be tickled pink.

“He will be 89 next month and is still very fit and alert.

“He played for a few junior clubs and was signed by Dundee United, but was at Tannadice for just one season before war broke out.

“He joined the Navy (submarines) and met his future wife in Australia. After he was demobbed, she came over and they were married here before returning to settle in Australia in 1946 or 47.

“He carried on playing in Australia and also became involved in coaching.

“Thank you for printing this picture, as you’ll have revived a lot of happy memories for an old boy on the other side of the world.”

Lilian also sent me a document which stated that Bert was chosen as one of the WA soccer’s 100 greatest players, and he is thus enducted in the Soccer Hall of Fame Western Australia.

He attended a function in July 2004, along with many Australian internationals and Olympians, and received a trophy to commemorate the event.

DAVE’S WING MATE AT HARP

DAVE WATSON got in touch from Toronto, Canada, after reading the news that Harry Harwood had passed away (BwB, Sept. 8).

“His friend Jimmy Ashwood was also a friend of mine,” said Dave.

“He played on the wing with me with Lochee Harp before I emigrated to Canada in 1967.

“The photo of the Paulies also brought back a lot of memories.

“They beat us (Butterburn) 2-1 in one of their cup wins that year at Tannadice.

“It’s a pity all the names weren’t with the photo.

“I remember a few of them, but can’t put names to some of the faces.

“I guess auld age is creeping up on me.

“Some of the players who played with me at Butterburn were Chic McDonald, Joey Barton, Chic Brown, Dode Edgar, John Cushnie, Jimmy Jack, Ernie Thomson, Davie Fisher, Billy Lamb and Davie McDowell.