DIFFERENT PSYCHE

Overseas reader ROB BOAG, no doubt after reading some of the b anter in our excellent Sporting Postbag column, has his own observation on Dundee United and Dundee FC fans — and their psyche.

Canada-based Rob offers, “It occurred to me once again — as it has over the past decades — that there is a different psyche between Dundee FC and Dundee United supporters.

“It’s not geographic, religious or social — there are supporters for both teams from the same families — then what is it?

“Recently, after a Toronto FC game (they have a home gate of 20,000 fans at every match), I bumped into a group of Dundee lads in a local watering hole.

“The patter and slagging was brilliant, but there was a difference in the delivery and acceptance of the repartee.

“The quips from United supporters were faster in response, and sometimes self-depreciating, while the Dundee lads were, perhaps, more thoughtful — or defensive — in their retorts.

“Since the tsunami of misfortune that swept through Dens Park, there is (understandably) trauma and shock that requires time to heal, but, knowing the character of most Dundee FC supporters, they will pull through.

“Growing up in Lochee, Dundee, I was raised with, served an apprenticeship with, mixed socially with, and in Canada, maintain contact with Dundee people that are supporters on both sides of the ‘great divide’.

“Over the decades, it has seemed to me that there is a different outlook and different attitude to life — and a different psyche between the Dee supporter and the Tangerines fan.

“Dundee FC was the established and successful team in the early days of professional football in Scotland, and attracted the support of the establishment and individuals that are establishment-minded.

“The establishment is mainly made up of people that are conservative, frugal, staid, and have a sense of position in their community — that, at times, makes them look a little smug.

“United was the underdog for decades in the city, and fans that supported them were individuals who usually followed the underdog.

“Underdog supporters are people who wear their passion on their sleeve, but are not sticklers for establishment rules — more entrepreneurial, high spirited — and have a gift to not take themselves too seriously.

“To sum up the difference . . . if I was planning a night out with company that has good wit and patter, I would head to a Dundee United bar.

“If I was short of pall-bearers at a funeral, I would call on the ever-reliable Dundee FC lads.”

TOO MANY AVERAGE

SYE WEBSTER, undoubtedly Arbroath FC’s best-known fan, agrees with much of Tom McGovern’s views (BwB, Aug. 10).

“I agree that, if we had a restriction on foreign players in Scotland, then this would help improve both our young players and, in turn, the Scotland national team,” he said.

“We have too many average foreign players keeping home-bred Scots out of first teams because, for some reason, a lot of managers seem to think foreign players are better than our home-grown talent.

“You cannot argue with players like Henrik Larsson, Brian Laudrup and players of their quality, but, let’s be honest, those type of players have been far outweighed by foreign players who have come for the cash and never produced the goods in Scotland.

“Years ago in Italy, the Italians adopted a three-foreigner rule which meant that you could have just three non-Italians in the squad for a match (either in the starting line up or on the subs bench).

“AC Milan had the trio of great Dutchmen — Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard — and the Italian League and national team were the best in the world at that time.

“You have to feel sorry for a lot of Scots talent who cannot get into their first team (e.g. Derek Riordan at Celtic) because their teams are playing foreign players, who, in my opinion, are no better than the Scots lads.

“Bring the three-foreigner rule into Scottish football and see the game develop in this country.”

CHARLIE “CHUCK” McGOWAN

NEWBIGGING reader RON WATSON (74) got in touch to relay the sad passing of his former team-mate CHARLIE “CHUCK” McGOWAN.

“This is a photo (foot of column) of the ST PATRICK’S team of 1959, and it features Chuck McGowan, who passed away recently,” said Ron, whose email address is ronwatson2004@yahoo.co.uk

“Chuck is pictured in the centre in the front row, and he also served both Lochee United and North End as trainer.

“Indeed, it was Chuck who gave me this photo many years ago.

“I was captain of the team at that time, and we played in the old Dundee Juvenile League.

“The team was run by guys called Joe Duffy and Wullie Dunn, who worked in the boatyard.

“I’m sure it will will bring back old memories for some.”

The line-up is: Back row (from left) — Unknown, Wullie Keith, Unknown, Ron Watson, Jim Dailly, Jimmy Haxton. Front — Abbie Glennie, Charlie Dignan, Chuck McGowan, Eddie Simpson, Jim Brady.

Ron continued, “Jim Dailly went to New Zealand, but, as far as I know, the rest of the team remained in Dundee.

“We had to go to Joe’s house in Pitkerro Road on a Friday evening to pick the team.

“If you didn’t train, you didn’t play.

“I wonder if some teams’ rules are still the same, nowadays.

“Time marches on, but I would be delighted to have a get-together with any of the old ‘Patties’ if they get in touch.”

ADAM “TUG” DAVIDSON

Ex-Tayside Region junior match secretary Jock Myles was saddened to hear of the death of Adam “Tug” Davidson, who played inside-forward for the Gowfers in the 50s and 60s.

GEORGE DONATES PHOTO

In April this year, GEORGE McGREGOR featured in BwB in a DOWNFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL football team photo from season 1953-54, when the club were league and cup winners.

George recently had the photo framed and has presented it to the school — hoping, of course, that some of the present young footballers can emulate his era.

Our photo (below) shows George handing over the photo to head teacher OLIVIA MENZIES, with current school team players JAKE DAVIDSON (left) and BEN SMITH also in attendance.