“This was a great Kingsway Tech team with a great bunch of guys,” said George, of Rennell Road, Dundee.
“Sadly, Mark ‘Disco’ Hearn is the first of the team to be no longer with us and everyone at the club passes on their condolences to Mark’s family.
“It was a great league back then, with teams such as Timex, St James, NCR and Harris all winning many trophies and producing great players, many of whom went on to play in the junior grade.
“We almost won the treble that year as, having already won the league and the Gray Trophy, we were beaten in the final of the Bremner Cup by St James after extra time.
“It was the last game of the season and was played at The Canniepairt, Tayport.
“In our final league game, we beat then current champions Harris FP 2-0 at Graham Street in front of around 300 spectators to clinch the title.
“I’m sure ‘Disco’ supplied the crosses for both goals, which were scored by Davie Johnstone and myself.
“I think we owe manager Bob Brankin a big thank-you for putting up with us.”
Back row (from left) — Kenny Cameron (coach), Davie Johnstone, Alex Kerr, Michael Kerwin, Billy McWilliams, Neil Cathro, Mark Hearn, George Sinclair, Ian Campbell (coach).
Front row — Bob Brankin (manager), Brian Fitzpatrick, Bob McGregor, Kevin Flynn, Eddie Lowden (captain), Neil Swain, Ian Cathro, Gary Hastie, George Valentine (coach).
ALL ABOARD THE HARP SPECIAL
The “80 Buses for Carnoustie” headline on December 28 brought back memories for Dundee reader JOHN GALLACHER.
John was part of a large group of Lochee Harp supporters who also made a trip to the Angus town to take in a game — but they went by train.
“There was a special train for Harp supporters to Carnoustie Panmure,” recalled John, of Granton Place.
“Harp were drawn against Carnoustie in one of the rounds of the Scottish Junior Cup and drew 2-2 with the Gowfers.
“I didn’t know it at the time, but it was the first match at Westfield Park.
“The train left Lochee Railway Station and went right through to Carnoustie.
“I was just 13-years-old, and I remember there were about three or four carriages on the train.
“On the way home from Carnoustie, the train had to stop halfway up the South Road railway line in Lochee as it couldn’t pull the train up the steep gradient.
“We had to wait until a relief engine came from Dundee to help push the train into Lochee Railway Station.”
DAVE DESERVES HIS MERIT AWARD
The most successful manager in the history of amateur football in Fife has been rewarded for his long involvement in the game.
Dave Leitch (pictured at foot of column), who guided Star Hearts to a succession of league titles and trophies, including the Scottish Amateur Cup in 1975, was presented the with prestigious Merit award for services to football at the fifth McDonalds/ Sunday Mail Grassroots ceremony at Hampden Park.
The black tie event was attended by over 200 football enthusiasts from every grade of minor football.
New Scotland boss George Burley and football legend Kenny Dalglish handed over the awards.
It was all about rewarding those who work tirelessly to deliver football opportunities across Scotland because of their love of the beautiful game: the pitch liners, strip washers, referee organisers and those who put up nets on freezing winter mornings, all for little reward and few pats on the back.
As manager of Star Hearts, Dave won in the region of 60 trophies, taking the club to an unprecedented nine Fife Amateur Cup finals in a row, winning seven of them.
He reached the Scottish Cup Final in 1973, losing 1-0 to Knockentiber, but went one better two years later, beating Morriston YMCA 2-1 to bring the trophy back to Fife.
Dave was also instrumental in the setting up of the Kingdom Caledonian League, in which the club still plays, and is a life member of the Fife Amateur FA.
Now Star Hearts’ president, he virtually lives at the Treaton Park ground where he can be found cutting the grass, lining the pitch, washing the training gear, cleaning the dressing rooms — the list is endless.
WHAT NEXT? PLAYERS IN HIGH HEELS?
Midlands AFA honorary secretary ALLY MARTIN raises a “topic that may stir up some interest in BwB or at least a laugh or two.”
Ally continued, “At a recent MAFA general committee meeting, Colin Duncan, the SFAR representative, very ably answered questions put to him by the member clubs.
“However, one answer surprised a few when he advised that, under Law 4 of the FIFA Rules of the Game, a player’s basic equipment comprised jersey, shorts, shinguards, footwear and STOCKINGS.
“Some members rather unkindly thought that only ladies and Riverside Athletic players wore stockings and all other teams wore socks.
“Is it not time FIFA brought the wording of this rule into the 21st century?”
