FREDDIE IS SOLE VICTOR OVER BENNY
DAVE CUTHILL, of Yarrow Terrace, Dundee, offers Benny Lynch’s r ecord against Dundee fighters.
“Freddie Tennant boxed him three times in 1932, all over 10 rounds,” said Dave.
“In July, he lost on points in Glasgow, but beat him three months later in Leith, also on points.
“Their December meeting in Glasgow was a drawn contest.
“Jim Brady managed one draw out of the four times he fought Lynch.
“That was in May 1933 when they fought over 10 rounds in Dundee.
“That share of the spoils came just two months after Lynch won on points over 10 rounds in Glasgow.
“The following year, they fought twice — in January in Edinbrugh and in August in Glasgow — with Brady losing both on points over 12 rounds.
“In October 1933, Lynch KO’d Willie Vogan in the second round.
“Lynch also had a fight in Dundee with “Tut” Whalley on December 5, 1934, with the latter being disqualified in the eighth round.
“I’ve mentioned Whalley, but I’m not too sure if he came from Dundee or not.
“So it looks like Freddie Tennant was the only lad from Dundee to have a victory over Lynch.”
Stoke area
John Thomas Whalley, nicknamed “King Tut”, was born at Congleton Mass in 1913 and was brought up in the Stoke area.
He had an amazing career, being active for more than 10 years, and had well over 150 fights.
In addition to Lynch, he crossed gloves with the best men of his time, including such great fighters as Bert Kirby, Phil Milligan, Jim Patterson, Jimmy Warnock, Benny Jones, Kid Tanner, Jackie Patterson, Paddy Ryan and Bunty Duran.
“Tut”, who died recently aged 91, once had eight professional fights in 12 days.
He said the reason this was possible was because he won them all on KOs, assisted by his great speed.
6 FT-PLUS MASS TRIED TO GIVE 5 FT 4 IN WILLIE HIS CLOTHES
Last September, we featured an article, instigated by Dundee Trades Union Council secretary MIKE ARNOT, about footballers killed during the Spanish Civil War.
DEREK McDONOUGH has replied to this.
“I can recall some information about a friend of his and my uncle Willie Phin,” said Derek.
“Willie’s best friend was a tall guy called ‘Mass’ McEwan (possibly Thomas, but not sure).
“He had a brother who was killed in Spain during the civil war fighting for the International Brigade.
“This may be John McEwan, who was mentioned in the article.
“Mass was married and had at least one son. He emigrated to America (Florida, I think), and I recall him returning to Dundee after visiting his son.
“He had a suitcase of clothes set in the style of 1970s Starsky and Hutch . . . to be worn in Dundee in the early 80s.
“Mass was over 6 ft. tall — as was his son — and he tried to kit out my uncle Willie with these clothes.
“Unfortunately, Willie was barely 5 ft. tall and built like a whippet.
“However, Willie was a fine footballer and, as Mike said, he played with Osborne after the war.
“He was known as ‘Mighty Mouse’ long before that title was given to former Scotland rugby captain Ian McLauchlan.
“I have spotted Willie’s picture in your column before in photos from that era.
“He is normally at the end of the front row and, despite kneeling, there is no way you can disguise the lack of inches.
“On the McEwan side, Mass was married to Belle (possibly Isabelle) and he had a sister who, in the 1980s, stayed in St Clement Place, St Mary’s, near to my parents house.
“Mass and Willie were regulars, along with others, in the Snug Bar as Willie stayed in Church Street for many years.
“I hope this can be of some assistance to Mike.”
SO MUCH FRO ANONYMITY
The anonymous writer from our St James/16th BB piece on November 17 has now identified himself as DONALD ABBOT, of Invergowrie.
It seems, too, that some readers worked out who it was anyway.
“I have heard from Dair Petrie regarding Jimmy Ross,” said Donald.
“He tells me that Jimmy and his wife Christine emigrated to Canada in the late 1960s, and seems to recall it was to the Winnipeg area.
“Perhaps some of your Canadian readers can assist on this.
“Before taking the name St James, the football team played as 16th BB Ex-Members for a couple of seasons or so.
“The piece, which I wrote anonymously, created a reaction from our son in Kingoodie phoning to ask if he was speaking to the anonymous writer.
“Being the only player identified as living in Invergowrie, it was not difficult for him to suss it out!
“So much for anonymity.”
LOCAL LAD DUMPS HARP
In the Lochee Harp team group from 1974, featured on January 19, JIMMY ABERDEIN identified the player Wilson’s first name as Ronnie.
“I played against most of that team when I was with Elmwood as a youngster,” said Jim, a former team-mate of mine with Douglas Amateurs and Bank Street Athletic.
“I recall a John Masson Trophy semi-final at Beechwood Park in which we won 1-0 against the odds as Harp were quite formidable at that time.
“As a local boy (Beechwood), I was lucky enough to score the winning goal and my memory of that was being able to slip past the giant known as big Sandy Watkins.
“All I could hear was his pounding boots chasing after me. I hit the ball early and it just slipped past the keeper and trickled into the net.
“They all count, though.
“We went on to the final at North End Park, where we lost 2-1 to Bankfoot, who had a certain Paul Sturrock in their team. Eddie Lowden scored the Elmwood goal.
“Your photo stirred good memories of my time in the juniors. I played with and against some great players from that era.
“Keep up the good work. Your page is a marvellous read on a Friday evening.”
|
