BB PLAYERS WENT ON TO BE SAINTS

An Invergowrie reader, who wishes to remain un-named, sent in the photo at the foot of this column of the 16th Company Boys’ Brigade football team, taken in season 1956-57.

“They won the battalion’s Ovenstone Shield as league champions, and some of this group went on to later form the first St James football team in the Midlands Amateur Association,” he revealed.

“Two of the players, Billy Morton and Harry Fleming, were also stalwarts at the NCR club a few years ago.

“Harry’s dad, Pom Fleming, was killed at Monte Cassino.

Pom was quite famous in pre-war Dundee junior football circles.

“Another, Bob Johnston, was D. C. Thomson’s representative in Ayrshire.

“I am currently in touch, occasionally, only with a couple of these lads — Alasdair Petrie and Billy Morton.

“So, where are most of the others now?

“Using information and snippets picked up, I won’t be far way.

“Alan Malcolm, I believe, is in South Africa, and was home a year or so ago for a family funeral.

“Alasdair “Dair” Petrie (Dan Dair was big at the time) is a retired policeman and prison officer and is now a gamekeeper at Finavon, near Forfar.

“Maurice Turnbull is a retired bank manager living at the place of his last posting in Larbert,

“Charlie McKellican was the younger son of Charles McKellican, the 16th BB captain, and a deep sea diver.

“He lived in Carnoustie, but died suddenly last year.

“Bobby Johnston lives in Mauchline, and Billy Morton, retired GPO engineer, now lives in Rosyth.

“Billy Wilson emigrated with his brother Alfie to Vancouver many years ago.

“They were at Jack Cowan’s funeral a few years back, as confirmed to me by that great Dundee FC stalwart’s brother-in-law Kenny Small when he visited me a couple of years ago.

“Harry Fleming was a joiner and played for NCR and St James, but died recently. I last saw Harry playing when, pushing 50, he turned out for St James against Invergowrie at the village park.

“Jimmy Morton was a senior official in a building society, and I believe he is now retired. I know his other brother Brian lives in Carnoustie.

“Don Abbott is a retired local government chief executive and Invergowrie resident since 1969.

“I have no information on Jimmy Ross.

“By the way, I believe that the first St James team took its name from St James Church in Arklay Street, Dundee, to which the 16th BB Company was attached.

“That church, on the corner of Arklay Street and Tannadice Street, closed its doors for the final time in 1998.

“The site was sold and a modern block of flats stands today at the location.”

NEARLY A BOURNER

The sad news of DAVIE ROBERTSON’S passing this week brought back memories from the early 1970s.

Davie was, effectively, chief cook and bottle-washer at the DUNDEE OSBORNE junior club — being involved in all activities concerning the East End Park outfit.

In 1971, after East Fife informed me my services were no longer required (“You’ve got a free transfer, Broon!”), several Dundee junior clubs approached me.

Davie appeared at my house and sat for two hours extolling the virtues of his club — and I was very impressed by him.

However, I’d already promised Broughty Athletic that I would join them, and didn’t want to go back on my word.

There was also the fact that Broughty secretary George Christison was also my mate Billy’s dad, so that further sealed my signature.

In the seven years I spent with The Fed, I obviously crossed swords several times with Davie and his team.

He was ultra-enthusiastic about the Bourners, but never let me pass by without an acknowledging nod or “hello”.