STARS OF PICTURE HOUSES
There are few, if any, football fans locally who are more passionate about the game than JIMMY BORLAND.
Others can only equal the Marryat Street, Dundee, resident, but never beat him.
Jimmy played as a goalkeeper for many years with local teams (and also a trial for Dundee FC, he proudly recalls) and now has taken up the pen, with his thoughts often being winged into this newspaper on several subjects.
On this occasion, it’s the turn of BwB, and Jimmy wrote, “I enclose a photo (see foot of column) of the Odeon Club football team, which was taken 49 years ago.
“The team was made up of schoolboys who played for various schools.
“The manager of the picture house, Mr Williamson, got a challenge from his friend, who was the manager of the Gaumont picture house.
“The Gaumont also had a team and we played them and beat them 12-1.”
The Odeon cinema was situated at Coldside, opposite Frew’s Bar, and sat at the side of Coldside Library.
Indeed, it is just a goalie’s throw-out from where Jimmy now resides.
An empty supermarket currently stands on that site.
The Gaumont was in the Cowgate at the bottom of King Street, the premises now being called Deja Vu.
Jimmy continued, “We also played other games with some success.
Most of these boys went on to play amateur and junior football.
“Dave McKenzie turned out for North End Juniors, and he also signed for Arbroath.
“Gordon Banks (now deceased) played BB football, while Billy Black was with Lochee Renton and won a Scottish Cup medal.
“Raiding winger Dave Fisher was a stalwart for Downfield Juniors for years, and Roger Raith played schoolboy football for three years.
“Hugh Reilly is also, sadly, no longer with us, but he will be remembered as a junior stalwart with Lochee Harp.
“Jackie Cole was well-known for years in junior circles, most notably with Broughty Athletic and Downfield.
“Alex Morris played BB football and Stuart Ballie was at Glenesk with junior outfit Violet for years.
“Most of the lads turned out for their various schools except John Lynch.
“I can’t remeber John having played for any other side apart from the Odeon.”
STRIPPED IN AN OLD “CLOSIE”
Fintry’s DAVID KERR sent in a photo (see foot of column) of an unknown football team.
David’s father-in-law, TOMMY ALLAN, who played for Cowdenbeath at one stage, is pictured in the middle of the front row.
He doesn’t know the name of the team, but enclosed another faint paper cutting which featured Tommy.
That particular team could have been Excelsior AFC from around 1924-25, with most of the players from the Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly areas.
So David has turned to BwB readers to see if they can shed any light on the identity of the team below or, indeed, any of the players.
It’s a magnificent photo, and looks like it was taken at the back of some old “closie” (tenement), which probably doubled up as their changing-rooms.
You can see the doors of the wash-houses and outdoor toilets behind the players.
David revealed another local connection in that members of the family at one time owned the barber’s shop at the “bridge” in Lochee.
GREAT DIVIDE WIDENS
Continuing our search for players who have played for Dundee and Dundee United since 1960, JIMMY BELL (jimmy.bell@gmail.com), from Sydney, Australia, led us to a previous article which listed most of the players we have already named.
However, it did throw up a few fresh ones such as Alex Stuart and Steve Murray.
PETER SMITH (deeman.cocego.ca) also came on from Canada to offer Ian Scott.
“Ian Scott signed for Dundee in the early 1970s after being freed by ‘them across the road’,” he said.
“He was a forward and I think he played for two or three seasons at Dens.
“You can see from my email address just where my alliegiance lies.
“Your friend Davie Dodds and I have quite a bit of banter about our respective preferences.
“I look forward to your column every week and, as a Douglas laddie fae ‘The Drehve’ (Balunie Drive), I know quite a few of the players who appear in your column.
“Fond memories, indeed.”
DAVIE MORRIS and JOE MAGUIRE, signing themselves “at Lochee Baths”, also gave a list, some we’ve already had, but which included Ian Scott.
However, listed keeper Michel Pageaud did not play in United’s first team.
The full DU/Dee list (so far) is now (alphabetical order):
Stuart Beedie, Kenny Cameron,
Aaron Conway,
Tommy Coyne, Billy Dodds,
Neil Duffy, Iain Ferguson,
Alan Gordon, James Grady,
Danny Griffin, Jim Hamilton,
John Holt, Doug Houston,
Billy Kirkwood, Lee Mair, Roy McBain,
Stewart McKimmie, Jim McInally,
Andy McLaren, Gordon McLeod,
John McQuillan, Steve Murray,
Ian Philip, Ian Redford,
Dragutin Ristic, Steven Robb,
Bobby Robinson, Ian Scott,
Rab Shannon, Alex Stuart,
Billy Thomson, Gordon Wallace,
Lee Wilkie, Billy Williamson.
If you know of any more, get in touch.
ANDY BOSSED DEE
SIMON SMITH (simon smith24@btopenworld. com), who lives in England, is another looking to BwB for assistance.
“My great-uncle Andrew (Andy) Cunningham managed Dundee FC from around 1937,” he revealed.
“After the Second World War, he began sports writing, allegedly with some success.
“My understanding is that, after moving from Kilmarnock to Rangers then Newcastle United, he eventually settled in Dundee and, indeed, my mother remembers visiting him.
“I am keen to find photographs, obituary, written articles by or about him, and anything else of relevance.
“All help from you or your readers will be gratefully received.”
Our files revealed very little about Mr Cunningham, but did include the photo (below).
He managed Dundee from 1937-40 and, in the 79 games played under him, the Dark Blues won 31, drew 15 and lost 33.
BE PATIENT
Once again, the BwB postbag is bulging.
Some readers who have contributed have been back on asking why their particular piece has not yet been included.
All will be used, or a personal reply given why not.
In the meantime, be patient and your turn will come.
|
