Swimmer Mark Foster had the honour of carrying the British flag at the opening ceremony of this year’s Olympic Games.
However, way back in 1960, that honour was given to a young Dundonian whose name will live forever in Olympic folklore.
My colleague JAMES MASSON takes a big interest in boxing and waxes lyrical here about the career of one of the finest sportsmen Scotland has ever produced — DICK McTAGGART.
Now living in retirement on the Ayrshire coast, the ever-modest Dick not only won Olympic gold in Melbourne in 1956, but, after carrying the flag in Rome four years later, he won Olympic bronze.
Amazingly, Dick was back again four years later.
This time the venue was Tokyo and, this time, there was to be no medal, Dick losing in the quarter-finals, and, as in Rome, he was beaten by the eventual gold medallist.
And, even then, Dick wasn’t finished with the Olympics, as James takes up the story.
“Los Angeles in 1984 saw him back in the Olympic spotlight as a member of the British coaching team,” said James, a resident of Perth.
“Four Olympics, a gold and a bronze in the bag — not bad for a laddie from a Dundee housing scheme. If Rome in 1960 was to be labelled as a hard luck story in the ring — Dick lost in the lightweight semis to Pole Kazimierz Pazdior in what was a hotly-disputed decision, Dick claiming he “was robbed” — Melbourne four years earlier was a glorious triumph.
“In those days, it took what seemed like an age to get to Australia.
“There were no direct flights then and there was no quick route back, either.
“Although Dundee rejoiced upon hearing her most famous sporting son had struck Olympic gold, Dundee had to wait a good few days before said hero arrived back in the city.
“When his train pulled up at the station, Dick was carried shoulder high by fellow-boxers Jock McVicar and Peter Cain as thousands cheered.”
What is unique about that McTaggart Olympic triumph is not just the fact Dick won the gold in which he produced a masterclass to defeat German Harry Kurschat in the final, it’s the fact he’s the only Briton, and one of only two Europeans, to have won the Val Barker Trophy, given to the most stylish boxer at each Olympics.
James continued, “The other European to win it was Italian middleweight Nino Benvenuti.
“And where was that honour bestowed on him? . . . Yes, you’ve guessed it, Rome in 1960, right in his own backyard.
“Had Dick got the decision over Padzior and gone on to win another Olympic gold in Rome, he, and not Benvenuti, may well have won the Val Barker Trophy for a second time.
“Modest as ever, Dick had no idea he was being awarded the famous trophy.
“He hardly mentions it unless it comes up in conversation.
“Same with carrying that Union Jack around Rome’s Olympic Stadium.
“Same with everything really.
“If he was boxing today, Dick would be surrounded by managers and agents making sure his name was forever to the forefront and ensuring he had a good few bob to put by for a rainy day.
“These, however, were the 1950s and 60s when trophies and adulation were your lot.
“Not that Dick is bitter or envious.”
McTaggart’s honour-spattered career saw him lose only 24 of his 634 contests and he also won European Championship gold, Commonwelath Games gold and silver and a clutch of other titles, including five ABA titles.
He shared this record with Tommy Pardoe and Terry Waller before John Lyon eclipsed the three of them with six.
James went on, “I never saw Dick box in the flesh — I’m not that old — but guys like Dougie Holden, Danny Cruickshanks, Billy Anderson, Jimmy Gill, Frank Hendry and Tommy Berry told me many tales about just what a master of his craft he was.
“Dick was awarded an MBE for his services to boxing and it was Jimmy, a British Empire Medal recipient for his work with fellow-disabled folk, who played a major role in guiding his career.
“Jimmy would lovingly recount, ‘I spent many great times in Dickie’s company’ and I, too, can understand that.
“When Dick was present to see the McTaggart Sports Centre named in his honour, tears flowed down his cheeks.
“It’s a measure of the man that he was so humbled by the honour bestowed on him by his home city that he was moved to tears.
“Then again, that sums Dick up as he was never one to blow his own trumpet. A modest man — and a great Olympian.”
See photo at foot of page.
CISSIE GOT HER OLYMPIC MEDAL AT THE DUNDEE CENTRAL BATHS
The Tele’s water polo and swimming correspondent FRANK JORDAN has also come up with a local Olympic tale.
“I was asked recently if any Dundee swimmer has ever won an Olympic medal,” recalled Frank.
“A number of Dundee swimmers have been selected for various Olympics throughout the years, but you've got to go back to 1928 to the games in Amsterdam.
“That was when CISSIE STEWART, a member of the Dundee Belmont club, was chosen for the 400 yards freestyle and the 4 x 100 yards freestyle relay.
“She was just pipped for the bronze in the 400, but won a silver in the 4 x 100 relay.
“However, there was no medal ceremony and, when she returned to Dundee, there was no fuss made of her.
“She eventually got her solid silver medal two months later when it was presented to her at a swimming gala in the Dundee Central Baths.
“Cissie married William Hunter, a reporter, who she met at the Central Baths.
“They then moved to stay in Glasgow.
“Cissie swam regularly up until she passed away last year at the age of 97.”
WINNING GOAL WAS MISKICK
ERIC DARGIE (ericdargie1@optusnet.com.au) writes from Australia, commenting, “I remember the old enclosure at Tannadice Park and there was a little hump beside it where my pals and I went during the war.”
He continued, “At that time, there was a young goalkeeper called Clark and Emilio Pacione was the centre-forward.
“And, typical of what went on during the war years, BILLY LIDDELL played for Dunfermline against United, then, the following week, turned out for United.
“I played for Windsor against 6th BB Ex-Members in the final of the North of the Tay Cup when the enclosure was still there in the 1950s.
“I scored the winning goal with a miskick from the edge of the penalty box.
“I recall that my cousin BILL ANDERSON played for the BB in that game.”
Invergowrie reader RON McCABE has been going to Tannadice for 66 years, and remembers well the old enclosure.
“My first game was on April 18, 1942, when Dundee United beat Rangers 8-1 in the North Eastern League Cup at Tannadice,” he fondly remembered.
“United had some great players playing for them that day, including BERT JULIUSSEN. Mind you, so did Rangers as they put out a full-strength side.
“I remember, too, an article in The Sporting Post when the George Fox Stand was opened at Tannadice.
“That was the edition dated April 11, 1992, and it also mentioned me as a fan who had been going to Tannadice for a long time.”
STAN WILSON, of Leng Street, Dundee, has watched Dundee United for many a decade — in his case around 67 years.
“Further to JACK STEWART’S list of United’s war-time players, I started watching United in 1941 and can remember players such as Charlie Brownlie, Sibley, Fordyce, Alec Glenn, Bobby Gardiner, Jimmy Morgan, Glassey, Laurie Nevins, Jack Court, Piper Mackay and Willie Westwater.
“There was also Willie Jennet, who was famous for his long throw-in.
“As far as the rusty grandstand, the outside stairs from the referee’s room went down to the players’ dressing-room.
“Vast changes from then to the modern, terrific stadium United now have.”
GLENCOE UNITED
The photo below (middle) is of the GLENCOE UNITED team of 1910-11, which won the Dundee and District League Championship and Old Acre Trophy (don’t know if it was amateur, juvenile or junior).
It was sent in by WILLIAM McCOURTY, of Kilmarnock (Ph 01563 543495).
“The photo was left after an elderly relative, Robert Lusk, died,” said William.
“The cardboard mounting had a South African address.
“If anyone recognises their relatives in the photo, I would be happy to pass it on.”
NESSIE WANTED NAME CHANGE
It wasn’t exactly “jings, crivvens and help ma boab” proportions, but Dundee reader NESSIE EWEN was “fair affronted” when she read “The Charlie Love Collection : Part III”.
“My son Dave was in the wonderful photo of the 13th Dundee BB you featured,” she opened.
“However, his name had the wrong spelling — it should be EWEN and not Ewing as featured.
“I’m surprised you let that one through as I know you’ve spoken about Dave before and mentioned him being your friend.”
I must admit to using a bit of journalistic licence in my opening paragraphs as Nessie was very good-natured about the whole episode, and I really have to hold my hands up to the spelling mistake.
Nessie continued, “All my family and close friends read your page every week and love the photos and your humour. I’m sure Dave will like his latest mention.”
Dave, a former coach with Carnoustie Panmure, Forfar and Brechin, now stays in the Liverpool area. I spoke to him just a few days ago — but more of that in the coming weeks.
THE CHARLIE LOVE COLLECTION : PART V.
We veer away from Charlie personally for the latest photo (top below) from his superb collection.
It’s a DOWNFIELD JUNIOR team from the mid-1970s (judging by the hairstyles and gear) at an end-of-season function.
Charlie didn’t reveal why he has the photo.
Back row (from left) — Jim Gray, Ally “Dan” Dailly, Dave McIntosh, Dave Wilkie, Bert Ireland, Baxter (first name unknown), Ian McNab. Front row — Dave Fisher, Unknown, George Peacock, Unknown, Bobby Barnes, Sammy Barnes. The manager (seated) is Joe Brodie.
