Charlie, from Fintry, was tickled to see himself featured recently in BwB playing for Seagate Accies as a 19-year-old.
“I remember that side well and was a great team to play in with some very good players,” said the talented midfielder, who played professional for clubs such as St Johnstone, Montrose, Partick Thistle, Dundee United and Brechin.
He was also a part of the Grier brothers’ DOWNFIELD JUNIORS team which dominated in the late 1980s and early 90s.
Of course, Charlie is also a very proud dad as his son, also Charlie, is currently starring for Rangers and has been capped for Scotland.
And that’s where Charlie extols the virtues of Fintry.
“You’ve highlighted Kirkton and Lochee in your column in recent weeks, but they can’t boast three residents who have gone on to play for Rangers.
“My son CHARLIE, DEREK JOHNSTONE and CAMMY FRASER.”
Two of Charlie’s other sons are also doing well and have joined senior clubs.
Young goalkeeper GRANT (16) has also signed for the Light Blues, with midfield player CONNOR (13) recently putting pen to paper for Dundee on a youth form.
MR McGRORY WAS “GENTLEMAN JUM”
TERENCE O’FEE, of St Mary’s Road, Dundee, opens with, “It’s a while since I contributed to BwB, but the story in your November 9 column compels me to lift my pen again.
“I could never allow a good story to get in the way of the facts about the off-hand manner in which Jimmy McGrory, the Celtic manager, treated his invited guests, Mr McAnearney and his son Tommy, at Dens Park in April 1952.
“Celtic did not play Dundee in April 1952 at Dens Park, as your correspondent stated.
“They played Dundee on January 19 at Celtic Park in 1952.
“The story about Mr McGrory leaving the McAnearneys waiting for 45 minutes while he attended a Press conference puts McGrory in a very poor light.
“On the very few occasions I met him, I found him to be very courteous, mild-mannered and soft-spoken, exactly the way the journalists of the day nicknamed him — Gentleman Jim.
“There is no way he would have treated invited guests in such a manner and, anyway, how could a Press conference after a mundane 1-1 draw last three-quarters-of-an-hour.”
The teams that day, in front of 35,000 spectators, were:
Celtic — Bonner; Fallon, Rollo, Evans, Stein, Baillie, Collins, Walsh, McPhail, Tully, Peacock.
Dundee — Brown; Pattullo, Frew, Gallacher, Cowie, Boyd, Burrell, Henderson, Flavell, Steel, Hill.
Jimmy Walsh scored for Celtic and Billy Steel for Dundee.
JOHN’S BODY “MUST HAVE BEEN SORE”
WILLIE SAMUEL, who was a regular at Broughty Athletic matches when I turned out for The Fed in the 1970s, has moved from Menzieshill in Dundee and is now living in St Andrews.
“In the photo of Stobswell Juniors (BwB, Sept. 14), I recognised big John Phin (pictured),” said Willie.
“John was a real character who made frequent visits to Dundee Sheriff Court.
“On one occasion there, he said, ‘I throw myself at the mercy of this court’.
“The Sheriff replied, ‘Your body must be sore the amount of times you have thrown yourself at the mercy of this court’.”
SCHOOL CHUM GRAEME
BILLY SMITH, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, was especially interested in the recent articles on players who were from Kirkton and joined senior football clubs.
“I actually went to school — Kirkton High School in Dundee — with one, GRAEME PAYNE,” said Billy.
“He was one of the best and underrated player of his time, and, of course, he went on to play for United.
“I enjoy reading your articles in Calgary as it brings back nice memories of Dundee.”
Number’s up
An un-named reader asks, “What number of shirt did Jim Baxter wear in the 3-2 win for Scotland over England at Wembley in 1967?
“I say it was No. 6, but my mate reckons he wore No. 10.”
Baxter definitely wore No. 6, with Denis Law wearing 10.
If you Google ‘YouTube Scotland England 1967’ you can see for yourself.
