“It was going there for an after-match meal when the Angus Amateur U/18 Select team won the Black Trophy (the Scottish Cup for select sides) on May 16, 1970,” he recalled.
“I remember you played in all the games leading up to the final, then missed that game because you were on a foreign tour (Germany/Holland) with East Fife.
“We beat Glasgow YM 3-1 at the NCR grounds on the Kingsway, not far from where the new ice rink is.
“Our scorers were Billy Smith (your replacement), Billy Boyle of St Columba BC (now well-known Dundee solicitor), and Rangers-bound Derek Johnstone (St Francis BC). Glasgow had taken the lead through their centre-forward R. Millar.”
Despite not playing in that final, I did receive a winners’ medal as Angus AFA official TOM WILKIE — a real gentleman — came up to my house some weeks later after specially getting another gong cut for me as I’d played in all the previous rounds leading up to the final.
On another theme, Sy (56), who still turns out for Harris FP’s second string in the Midlands AFA, wondered if there had been any response to the St Clement’s AFC photo ‘of a few weeks ago’ (it was actually May 23, Sy!).
“One of the committee men may be my next door neighbour when I was brought up in St Mary’s — Jim Oliver.
“Jim, who worked in the NCR, was a stalwart of St Clement’s and the team may have been named after St Clement’s Place, where we lived. Sadly, Jim was confined to a wheelchair after collapsing at a game around 1965, and died a few years later.
“I think that a cup — The James Oliver Trophy — was named after him by The Angus Amateur Association.”
Carnoustie’s IAN FOGGIE also has a view on football being played at the old Dundee Ice Rink.
“There was also a previous, lower-grade tournament for five-a-side amateur teams and I played in a winning team, but probably in the 50s or 60s. We were presented with elaborate scout knives as prizes by Scotland’s captain of the time George Young.
“Willie Redpath was also in attendance, entertaining the spectators with a walk round the rink playing keepie-up. I think Jerry Dawson was there, too. As this tournament was played a few days after Scotland had played Austria (away) and Dundee’s Billy Steel was sent off, I asked George Young what had happened. He told me the Austrians had tried to kick Billy off the park and he lost his temper and lashed out.
“I remember when Steel was signed by Dundee. My excited father woke me up early in the morning to tell me the great news.”
Staying with the the ice rink theme, retired policeman DAVE GOLDIE, of Gotterstone, Dundee, also remembers he played in goal for the Police team in a fives tournament at the rink, but can’t remember if it was the same one as original inquisitor Mr Gurvan is keen to know details of.
Going back to our original query re the ice rink and Dundee’s MIKE O’ROURKE reckons the tournament was run by Drybroughs Brewers or one of the other beer companies.
“The Dundee event was one regional event in a Scotland-wide competition,” offered Mike. “The winners progressed to the grand final at Bellahouston in Glasgow. I can’t remember the winner, but it was instigated to be an annual event, but never really caught on. It was televised, though.
“Also your piece on DEREK JOHNSTONE reminded me of playing hockey for Kirkton High School, probably around 1967/68.
“If you were doing Highers at Kirkton at the time, the fearsome head of PE Dusty Millar would not allow you to play football until fifth year.
“This particular match was against Linlathen High School and DJ turned out for them and, true to type, scored twice in our 3-1 defeat, our only loss that season.”
“BASIL” WANT TEAM PHOTO NAMED
Colleague ALAN KERR, who some readers may have witnessed as the hilarious ‘Basil Fawlty’ in the Act IV. production of Fawlty Towers in Dundee venues earlier this year, laid a photo (bottom photo of four below) down in front of me.
However, he doesn’t have a clue which team it is.
“It was found in the belongings of my late father-in-law GEORGE MITCHELL,” said Alan.
“I know he played for Lochee Harp at one time.
“It would be good to get the team named and even some or all of the players. We don’t think he is even on this particular photo.”
Looking at the pavilion in the background, the photo may have been taken at Beechwood Park.
Alan revealed George stayed in the Glens area of the city, and worked in light engineering as a toolsetter.
He also worked at one time for NCR.
WILLIE HENNESSEY’S JUNIOR COLLECTION
Continuing GRAEME CURR’S input, from a collection of late East Craigie stalwart WILLIE HENNESSEY.
The top three photos below were taken from the Dundee Junior Football Handbook given out to clubs at the start of the 1950-51 season. From top – NORTH END, OSBORNE and ST JOSEPH’S.
