Andy said, “Volta Dixon was a Scottish tour operator (now defunct) and, before teaching, my career was spent in the travel business and I was manager of A. T. Mays in the Nethergate.
“These matches were played at a variety of junior grounds in the Glasgow area — this one at Shettleston Juniors’ ground.
“Mostly they included bona fide employees, though the odd ‘ringer’ was not uncommon.
“However, my memory is of losing most of these games!”
Andy, well-known in football until his recent retiral from Sunday Amateur football and Tayside Works Fives, continued, “Previous years’ teams included Graham James (DP&L, now commercial manager with Dundee FC), Bryn Williams (Nicholson’s Cyclelife) and the late Jackie Noble (Executive Travel, and a well-known Dundee Social Club AFC stalwart).
“Subsequent years saw the inclusion of John McGlashan (AT Mays), the current Arbroath FC boss, who scored a 30-yard cracker in another glorious defeat.
“The games were always refereed by leading SFA officials at the time, including Davie Syme, Brian McGinlay and Kenny Hope, the latter officiating the game at which this picture was taken (Sunday, May 17, 1987).
“Coincidently, the game took place the day after Dundee United were robbed at Hampden by a disallowed Kevin Gallacher goal in the 1-0 Scottish Cup Final defeat by St Mirren — refereed by one Mr Hope.
“Needless to say, he got pelters throughout the game and perhaps the drowning of sorrows and a second trip back to Glasgow within 24 hours explains the hung-over look of some of the players — especially myself — and contributed to a narrow defeat!
“I met Alan Gray (now Ramsay’s, Lochee) recently and he reminded me the forward we were up against as central defenders had scored two goals for Clydebank against Aberdeen at Pittodrie the week before.
“Other senior opposition were Bobby Torrance (Hibs and St Mirren) and Paul Chalmers (St Mirren, son of Lisbon Lion Stevie), who both worked in the travel business.
“Post-match entertainment was always provided at a local hostelry and included a comedian, pool and darts competitions, plus there was always a free bar provided by Volta Dixon.
“Happy days!”
BOB THE BUILDER HAD A SPELL AT UPTON PARK
SCOTT DRUMMOND enjoyed BILL GREIG’S contribution (BwB, Jan. 9) regarding his uncle, former Dundee United goalkeeper BOB WYLIE.
Scott has also been in touch with Steve Rhodes, who is writing a book on the Plymouth Argyle team that won the old English Third Division in the late 1950s.
“Bob was part of that title-winning squad,” said Scott.
“Steve has also made contact with my cousin Margaret, who still lives in Derbyshire, which is where Bob ended up after leaving his last senior club Mansfield Town to play and then coach non-league side Alfreton Town.
“Bill mentioned West Ham legend Ernie Gregory in his piece.
“Bob was signed as Gregory was 35 at the time and nearing the end of his career.
“Unfortunately, things didn’t turn out as well as they might have and Bob made only 13 league appearances for the Hammers before moving to Plymouth.
“He also played for West Ham in the FA Cup and fondly remembered playing at Goodison in front of nearly 70,000 in a fourth-round tie in 1957.
“I thought BwB readers might be interested in photo (see foot of column) from Bob’s time at Upton Park, and older readers will no doubt recognise the likes of Malcolm Allison, John Bond and Noel Cantwell, who all went on to have very successful careers in management after they stopped playing.
“Although his time at West Ham was short, Bob was well liked and had an article around his career included in the West Ham fan magazine ‘Ex-Hammer’ last year.
“Finally, Bill also mentioned that Bob had played for BUILDERS UNITED before moving to Tannadice.
“However, there is another strong family connection there in that my dad Sandy played for Builders after finishing his National Service.
“Dad later helped run Builders after finishing playing.
“I know he has really enjoyed reading the recent articles in BwB regarding Builders over the past couple of months and it’s brought back many happy memories.”
LAWSIDE McNALLYS WERE NOT RELATED
JAKE McDONOUGH’S piece on the first Lawside FP AFC reunion (Jan. 16) mentioned the McNally brothers, Charlie and John.
The photo alongside the article showed the Midlands outfit from 1972-73 and featured another McNally, Nigel.
BILL GRANT, from Perth, points out, “Nigel McNally was not a brother of the other McNallys.
“I knew Nigel, and he did not have any brothers.
“He may have been related, though, but his only sibling was a sister, Maureen.”
JIM’S DAD ALEX PLAYED AGAINST “THE WIZARD OF DRIBBLE”
JIM GLEN, who works in our art department, came across some John R. Mason cartoon pages which just happened to feature his dad, Alex Glen.
John’s work was a regular and very popular feature in our publications in years gone by.
“Dad played for Raith Rovers just before the Second World War,” revealed Jim.
“That Stark’s Park team still holds the British record for scoring most goals in a season (144).
“With the outbreak of war, he played for Dundee United.
“They did well in the Scottish War Cup, beating Airdrie, who had Stanley Matthews — “The Wizard Of Dribble” — playing for them.
“Unfortunately, they lost 1-0 to Rangers in the final.
“Because it was wartime, the crowd at Hampden was limited to 70,000.
“After the war, Dad played for Lochee Harp.
“I remember my grandfather taking me along when I was a wee lad.
“I still hear some of the older generation speaking about how he entertained them, dribbling up and down the right-wing leaving many a left-back sitting on his pants.”
On another theme, Jim continued, “I found the recent photo of Carnoustie interesting (BwB, Feb. 13).
“I played with John Smith at Alyth United, Dave Small was coach at North End when I had a couple of seasons there, and Doug Tosh is my neighbour.”
See cartoons below.
RESPONSE FROM THE ISLE OF ISLAY
Dundonian Douglas W. Tott now lives in Bruichladdich on the Isle of Islay, but keeps up with BwB online.
Responding to an article last week, he says, “According to the Dundee FC Centenary book ‘Up Wi’ the Bonnets’, Davie Raitt signed for Dundee before the start of the 1919-20 season.
“He was transferred to Everton for a ‘substantial’ fee at the approach of the 1922-23 season.
“I am a Dundonian who has supported Dundee FC since 1960 through good times and bad.
“My wife and I moved to this beautiful island in 2005 after getting early retirement from the Bank of Scotland on Hogmany 2003.
“I read you excellent column online every Friday.”
