WHISTLER VIC WAS ALSO A GOWFER

DOUG MITCHELL, of Carnoustie Panmure Junior FC, was interested to see the item in BwB (June 8) about Vic Ruse and his famous cousins Olivia de Haviland and Joan Fontaine.

“I was aware of Vic’s famous family, and also, as it said in the headline, that he had been a referee, but no mention was made of him having been a Junior footballer,” said Doug.

“But he was, having been on the Gowfers’ books for a time.

“Unfortunately, in common with many other Junior clubs, no-one seems to have kept many records of our early years (we were formed in 1936), so my records of that period are rather thin.

“Consequently, I have no idea how many games Vic played, or even how long he was with us.

“I was able, however, to dig out the photograph (right) from season 1943-44.

“Most of your regular readers will, no doubt, be surprised by the strips worn by the players, but, in those days, Carnoustie’s colours were green and gold vertical striped jerseys, with black shorts.

“The change to the now-familiar red and white did not take place until around 1947-48, as did the move to Westfield Park from Lochend Road.

“With regard to the photograph sent in by Vic’s granddaughter Michelle (BwB July 13), this could be another of the Gowfer.

“As it was obviously taken a long time before I became involved with Carnoustie, I don’t know for certain, but the fence in the background looks very much like the one we had around Westfield.”

WHOOSH! WALLACE TROPHY UNEARTHED

Whoosh! No, not the airline currently operating out of Riverside, Dundee, but the speed of replies by BwB readers.

“Where is the Wallace Trophy” I asked in last week’s edition, and two high-ranking members of the Midlands AFA committee came on immediately to say, “It’s with us — and it’s still being played for!”

“The trophy is in the safe hands of the Midlands Amateur Football Association and has been since 1995 when it was presented to the Angus AFA by the Wallace family,” said secretary ALLY MARTIN.

“It was, of course, competed for in the Angus association until they folded in 1994.

“It was won for the first time in its new life in season 1995/96 by Auchterhouse Admiral in an exciting final at Craigie Park Dundee.

“I am sure Mrs Wallace made the presentation to the winners.

“Coincidentally, the Admiral were run by Ally Crooks, who previously had a long association within the Angus association with Strathmartine.

“The Trophy is competed for annually by the Alliance clubs within the Midlands AFA.”

Match secretary GORDON FARMER confirmed all that Ally said, and proceeded to rattle off all the previous winners.

“It was first played for in season 1995/96 with Auchterhouse Admiral the winners,” confirmed Gordon.

“Then it was St James in season 96/97, Monifieth Tayside the following year, then Dundee Shamrock in 98/99.

“Harris Academy FP picked up the trophy in 1999-2000, with Arbroath Amateurs and Carnoustie YMCA winning it the next two seasons.

“The cup was withheld in 02/03, but Morgan Academy won it in 03/04, before Dundee University were victorious the following year, then the student side became the first side to successfully retain the trophy in the 05/06 final.

“The current holders are Carnoustie YM B.

“Certainly since I became match secretary, it has been a knockout trophy for the Alliance Division Two clubs.”

I would imagine that Mrs Wallace and her family will be delighted with this answer.

It could be, perhaps, fitting that the family might be re-united with the trophy at this season’s final next spring.

If the Midlands AFA decide on this course, I would gladly assist as go-between.

WELL, WHICH AREA CAN CAP THAT!

Step into the Boars Rock at any time, and there’s a good chance you’ll get involved in football chat.

The Arbroath Road, Dundee, hostelry sponsors teams from youths, amateurs and junior and regular JACKIE McINTOSH got in touch to tell me about the latest discussion.

“Most of the guys in the pub read BwB and we’re always discussing things as they crop up in your column,” said Jackie, no mean player himself with clubs such as Windsor AFC, Maryfield United and Ferranti Thistle.

“Patrons were especially tickled with the Kirkton query, where you were trying to name the Kirkton lads who made the grade at the top level of football. Now Boars Rock regulars are arguing which part of Dundee has supplied the most internationalists.

“Although I now stay in Kirkton, I’m originally from Fintry and Derek Johnstone and Charlie Adam are two from there.

“We also came up with one from Douglas (Peter Lorimer), one from Kirkton (Jimmy Gabriel) and Jackie Mudie (Lochee). We are unsure which part of the city Davie Narey hails from.

“All in all, it doesn’t seem much and I’m sure there are many more Dundonians who have been capped at full international level, especially going away back.

“It would be great if your readers could supply the names.”

NOW IT IS 38

Since we compiled a list of players earlier this year who had played for Dundee and Dundee United since 1960, current Dark Blues DAVID WORRELL and CRAIG SAMSON can now be added, making it 38.

THE SPORTING POST IS BACK!

Two special editions featuring Dundee United’s and Dundee’s finest hours — look out for details in the Tele on Monday, October 15.