Bill, now retired, was staying with his sister Margaret in the town of Brockport, which lies near the city of Rochester in New York state.
“The city’s daily newspaper is the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle and, one day, it had an article about a former coach of the Rochester Rhinos soccer team called Pat Ercoli,” said Bill.
“Ercoli had been coach during a successful eight years between 1996 and 2004 and had returned to the city for a special ‘Pat Ercoli Night’ when the Rhinos were playing host to Montreal at Paetec Park.
“The Democrat and Chronicle article had quotes from some of his former players.
“They included PAT ONSTAD, a Rhino from 1998-99 and 2001-02 before winning three titles and two ‘Goalie of the Year’ awards in Major League Soccer.
“Ercoli said that he sold Onstad ‘to Dundee United in Scotland’ for more than 100,000 dollars (£50,000).
“Onstad said that the players Ercoli brought in fitted the system perfectly for that style and the way the team played.
“By coincidence, on television the same evening of the article, was a match between MLS (Major League Soccer) All-Stars and West Ham United in Toronto which the former won 3-2.
“With 20 minutes to go, Pat Onstad came on as a substitute for the All-Stars, with the commentator announcing that he was now the oldest player on the park at the age of 40.
“He managed to keep a clean sheet during the 20 minutes he was on.
“Playing for the All-Stars was David Beckham, of Los Angeles Galaxy, and the team was coached by Steve Nicol, the former Liverpool and Scotland full-back.”
Major League Soccer in the United States is split into two leagues, an Eastern Conference and a Western Conference, with seven teams in each league.
As well as Beckham’s Los Angeles team, there are teams from cities such as Colorado, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Toronto and New York.
The Rochester Rhinos play in the 11-team United States League First Division alongside teams from cities such as Vancouver, Seattle, Atlanta, Carolina and Montreal.
While Bill was there, they were getting crowds of around 7000 at their games.
DOWNIE, DOWNIE AND DOWNIE
That champion of all things Lochee, ANDY WALKER, was present at a recent junior match in the Dundee suburb.
“I found myself in the company of MARTIN BREEN,” he revealed.
“Martin is part of the family, between father and two sons, who gave over 50 years’ service to the Arnot football club.
“I asked him about the record that Arnot held in the famous North End Fives. He confirmed that they won it five years running and conceded just one goal.
“That one goal caused mayhem in the Arnot’s team as it was scored in the fifth and last final.
“On another junior subject, in the 1950s, Dundee Violet had a half- back line of Downie, Downie and Downie, and I believe none were related.”
ARE THERE OTHER LOCAL OLYMPIC SWIMMERS?
TRACY TAYLOR, of Dundee, was interested to read in the Tele about CISSIE STEWART having won an Olympic medal back in 1928.
“It made me wonder if there are any Dundee swimmers who have won any other national or international medals or awards.
“Also, were there any records achieved, and are they still current?”
TANNADICE FROM WHICH YEAR?
Lochee’s BILLY KELLY sent in an old photo (bottom photo at foot of column) of Dundee United’s Tannadice Park, asking simply, “Could BwB find out in which year this photo was this taken?”
JUNIOR TEAMS FROM THE EARLY 1950S
The top three photos below are the final part of the collection of late East Craigie stalwart WILLIE HENNESSEY, as sent in by former local referee GRAHAM CURR.
The photos were taken from the Dundee Junior Football Handbook given out to clubs at the start of the 1950-51 season.
Top – DUNDEE VIOLET; second top – STOBSWELL; third top - SHAMROCK.
