“It was around 1958 and it was a game against Alloa at Tannadice late in the season,” said Brian.
“Tannadice, at that time, didn’t have floodlights, so, in order to complete the game before dark set in, both teams agreed to turn straight around at half-time instead of going into the stand for the normal break.”
United probably wished the game hadn’t been played at all as they were beaten 7-1 by Alloa that evening (April 16, 1958).
Most of the damage was done by two youngsters — John White and now Tannadice legend Dennis Gillespie — who shared the seven goals between them.
Indeed, White, who was to go on to win many caps for Scotland in a trophy-laden career with Tottenham Hotspur before being killed by lightning on a golf course, scored five of the counters.
McDonald scored for the Terrors.
United lined up — Lucas; Rae, Briggs; Stewart, Yeats, Fraser; Stephen, Ross, McDonald, Cadenhead, Garvie.
Alloa — Devanney; Muir, Wishart; Murphy, D. Kidd, Vint; Docherty, White, Gillespie, Nicol, Walker.
INFO WANTED ON IAN’S FAMILY
IAN McCONNACHIE, of Balerno Street, Douglas, Dundee (now there’s a location that brings back memories!), would like to find out more about the football career of his father.
“Mr father GEORGE McCONNACHIE, who was a goalkeeper, played for LOCHEE HARP,” recalled Ian.
“His older brother WILLIE and father also played for the Beechwood Park side.
“Dad also played for LOCHEE UNITED and ELMWOOD.
“One of the men who signed him was JIMMY CUNNINGHAM.
“Uncle Willie also played for Dundee Celtic, Kinnaird Celtic and Stobswell back in the 1920s.
“I believe he was a midfielder.
“It would be great if any other info on my relatives was produced.”
JOHN CLARK
Sadly, word reaches me from several quarters that JOHN CLARK has passed away.
My wife Yvonne and I have been in John and Jean’s company several times over the last few years and, even recently, he talked openly of his battle against cancer, which he finally lost last Tuesday.
John, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday, was one of life’s really nice guys — and he played for several football clubs, most notably North End juniors — and BwB featured him on March 21 as part of our ongoing tales of players who scored five goals or more in a game.
John was in hospital at the time of that issue and he told me later that nurses pinned the page on his bedrail for everyone to see — and that it opened up several avenues of conversation with others in the ward.
Our thoughts at the present time are with Jean and family.
John’s funeral is on Monday at the Dundee Crematorium (2.45 pm).
THE CHARLIE LOVE COLLECTION : PART III.
This week’s CL photo (at foot of column) is the 13TH DUNDEE BB, who were league winners in 1957.
“John McCord and Dave McKenzie were our top scorers with 52 goals each that season,” recalled Charlie.
“Our lowest scoreline was 4-1.
“I remember Ernie Ewing scoring two cracking daisy-cutters during the Parents v. Boys match at the BB Camp at Newbigging Farm, Auchterarder.”
Charlie also supplied info on several of the players, remembering, “Davie Ewing played and managed Carnoustie Panmure and his dad was a former St Johnstone and Dundee player.
“Donnie Yule worked in various travel agencies and Peter Anderson started a double glazing business with Stan Gardiner.
“Shug Henderson joined the London police, while Doug Sherriff worked in a Broughty Ferry clothing shop.
“Stuart Baillie went on to be part of a very useful Violet team.
“BwB has featured Norrie Thain quite a bit recently, and Dave McKenzie played for North End and Osborne, in addition to having senior trials with QOS and Arbroath.
“Ally Fiddes played in goal for Elmwood and Osborne.”
In the photo below are: Back row (from left) — Mr Fiddes (officer), Shug Henderson, Dougie Sherriff, Stuart Baillie, Charlie Love, Jim Smith, Norrie Thain, Ally Fiddes, Davie McDermott, Bertie Hogg, Mr Burness (BB captain).
Front row — Davie McKenzie, Davie Ewing, Bobby Milne, John Henderson (captain), Peter Anderson, John McCord, Donnie Yule.
