But even I was gobsmacked when I drove up to his house in Broughty Ferry and saw GREEN tiles on his roof.
Really, though, what should I have expected when visiting such a Harp legend as Jim.
Anyway, Jim and his wife Ann greeted me in their usual friendly fashion and we were soon down to the purpose of my visit.
“Mary Henderson, from Edinburgh, got in touch with me recently to inform her dad GEORGE P. BROWN (known as Joe) once played for Harp away back at the start of the last century,” opened Jim.
“Not only that, she said he was capped by Scotland Juniors and still had his cap and his jersey from that time. She thought they would be in better hands at our club, so she sent them on.”
When Jim produced the aforementioned goods, which included George’s photo, they revealed a real collector’s item.
The Scotland strip is made up of thick blue wool.
“If players played in this when it was raining, it would just soak up the water and become really heavy,” observed Jim. Alternatively, if they played in it when the sun was out, then they would really be sweating.”
Jim returned to the subject of Joe.
“This is his jersey and cap from a game against England in 1911,” Jim continued. “The match was played at Firhill and Scotland won 1-0.
“When with Harp, who he joined from Carnoustie, he won the Forfarshire Cup in seasons 1907-08 and 09-10, and won the Dundee Junior League and Kiddie Cup in 10-11.
“He was due to sign for Dundee, but didn’t do so as the Dens Park side at that time didn’t pay wages in the close season — many clubs did at that time.
“So he signed instead for Blackburn Rovers and eventually came back to play for Arbroath, turning out at Gayfield for many years.
“He was in the Arbroath sides which recorded Forfarshire Cup Final wins over Dundee in 1914 and 1921.
“He was a slater to trade and ran his own firm in Broughty Ferry — George Brown & Son — and was also a member of Broughty Castle Bowling Club.
“One wee twist in the tale here is that KENNY BANNON, a tremendous servant to our club for many years around the 1970s/80s, served his time with that firm.
“Can I finish off by asking the question to your BwB readers . . . is Joe the very first Lochee Harp player to be capped?”
TOSH BROTHERS
Regarding the article on Friday, February 13, DONALD GELLATLY (donaldgellatly@hotmail.com) has queries relating to the Tosh brothers of Carnoustie.
“During recent research on Dundee FC, I was under the impression that Gordon Tosh, the club’s reserve centre-half for 1957, was one of the three brothers, but that does not fit with the info in BwB,” he said. “Could any light be shed on Gordon, as my records show that he, too, played for Carnoustie Panmure? His brother Doug played for Carnoustie and Arbroath.”
“I enjoy reading Blether with Brown articles on the internet and think it’s terrific,” were the kind opening words from GORDON NORTON (gordon.norton @hotmail.com).
“I grew up in Dundee, but left in 1980 and now live just outside Glasgow. As a callow youth of 17, I played in the 1972-73 Telegraph Cup Final for St Joseph’s, flukily scoring two goals in a 4-2 win against Osborne. I don’t have any cuttings or an article to show my grandson that I actually played a little football. Can you or BwB readers assist?”
Our files don’t reveal anything, so, yet again, it’s over to the readers.
REILLY BROTHERS TURNED OUT FOR GILLBURN
Former GILLBURN RANGERS player PETER REILLY (prso2@hotmail. co.uk) has handed in a photo of the team (bottom picture at foot of column) — and it shows him and his three brothers, who were all playing for the team at the same time.
“Some time ago, there was a piece in BwB about someone who had never heard of the Gillburn Rangers,” he said.
“This photo was probably taken at the end of our first season in the Second Division of the Angus Amateur FA.
“The trophies shown are the League Shield and the Fimister Cup.
“The unusual thing about the picture is that the team contains four brothers — myself, George, John and Jimmy.
“There was also another piece about us being banned because one of our ‘supporters’ lay down on the goal-line and refused to get up when asked to do so.
“The man concerned was not attached in any way to Gillburn Rangers, but did come to watch us play quite often.
“The players were not banned and were actually allowed to play in the North of Tay and Scottish cups.
“However, sadly, the team broke up at this time.”
Pictured in the bottom photo below are: back row (from left) — Peter Reilly, Willie McGowan, Tom Stewart, Jimmy Reilly, Gordon Bruce, Jimmy Sinclair.
Front row — John Reilly, Ronnie Lyon, George Reilly, Norrie Hughes, Jimmy Stewart, Sandy Melville.
Mascot is Barry Cairnie, who gave the photo to Peter.
Peter didn’t recognise the person standing in the front row.
