“I asked Dundee FC for a picture to be sent to me when I was serving on board HMS Loch Killisport in the Persian Gulf,” recalled Ron (ronwatson 2004@yahoo.co.uk).
“Other mates on board were sending the same requests to their local teams — and I was delighted to receive this one from manager Willie Thornton.
“This was one of the best teams ever to wear the dark blue shirt.
“Being the only Scotsman on board in a crew of 120, I had to shout loud and clear about my team.
“I now live in Newbigging, by Monikie, and still support the Dark Blues.”
LIZ STILL HAS CAPS/MEDALS
Responses to BwB articles keep coming thick and fast, and another has come in from Australia.
“You might be interested to know that my cousin in Scotland emailed me (in Australia) a picture of the Glasgow Rangers team from around 1900, which featured in your column recently (July 11) and included my grandfather Matthew Dickie,” wrote LIZ MARRS, whose maiden name was Dickie.
“He was goalkeeper for Rangers and for Scotland in the late 1890s/early 1900s. He was capped three times (v. Northern Ireland twice and Wales).
“I have fond memories of my grandfather, who was in his 80s when I was a child in Scotland.
“My parents, older brother and I emigrated to Australia in 1960.
“Matthew Dickie had two surviving sons, Robert Wallace Dickie, who carried on the family tobacconist business in Helensburgh, and my father, Matthew Ronald Dickie.
“My father was the only one to have children, so my two brothers and I actually have those caps and some of his medals with us in Australia.
“I Googled Matthew Dickie and Glasgow Rangers some time ago, but did so again yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to find a Wikipedia entry for him.
“It's understandable that recent players feature on the internet, but it is amazing to find that people are still writing about players like my grandfather, who played such a long time ago.”
TATTIES AND MINCE AID TOM’S RECOVERY
TOM McGOVERN, of Manchester, has been quiet of late, but explains that he has recently undergone heart surgery.
I’m sure all those who know Tom, especially from his earlier years in Dundee, will wish him the speediest of recoveries.
But still writing he is, and his latest letter is about NCR — “Dundee's most successful amateur football team” — as he describes this famous and proud club.
“I joined NCR in 1957 after four years' service in the RAF and they went on to dominate the Midlands Amateur FA, culminating in winning the Scottish Amateur Cup at Hampden.
“Our president was Bob Griffin, who, I believe, is still involved with 'The Cash' (indeed, he is). I hope I find time to visit Bob next month.
“Major heart surgery has curtailed my travelling a bit, but tatties and mince help my recovery.
“I currently live in a 'foreign land', but I will always be a Dundonian.
“Dundee FC and Celtic remain two of the best teams I have ever seen.
“The football at Dens Park in the 1960s was memorable and very entertaining.
“I'm writing this letter to the strains of Jimmy Shand and his son, Jimmy, Jun., who was a pal of mine. His real name is Erskine Shand.
“They lived in Sutherland Place beside Gordon Tosh, who played for Dundee FC.”
THE CHARLIE LOVE COLLECTION : PART VIII.
Number 8 in the CL Collection goes back to the 1966 when OSBORNE (pictured below) won the Telegraph Cup.
“Davie Robertson, Jock and Willie Reid served on the Bourners committee for years,” said Charlie.
“Skip Anderson was a crafty and experienced player and was always prompting others.”
Charlie didn't give Skip's first name, but continued, “Goalkeeper Jackie Laing once had to be pulled out of the Thomson Park bath after a game.
“For some reason, he passed out in the bath.
“Cracked bones were discovered in his jaw and skull. He recovered OK . . . I think.”
Back row (from left) — Davie Robertson (committee), Willie Reid (committee), Jackie Cole, Skip Anderson, Jackie Laing, Alec Craig, Bruce Ogilvie, Charlie Love, Jock Reid (committee/treasurer).
Front row — Alec McCarle, Willie Cooper, Doug Dailly (captain), Norrie Thain, Billy Dow.
