“I was once told that the former black heavyweight champion of the world JACK JOHNSON (pictured at foot of column) was welcomed in Dundee and made a freemason in the city,” recalled Tom, now of Manchester.
“Johnson said Dundee treated him more humanely than his own country.
“He once told a young JOE LOUIS never to get angry.
“He told him to always smile at opponents.
“If you get angry, you will lose. It was very good advice.
“Perhaps a BwB reader can confirm these facts for me.
“I met a few boxers when I lived in Dundee and knew JIM BRADY very well.
“I also met GILBERT JOHNSON at CAMPERDOWN BOXING CLUB, which was run by the late DENNIS GILFEATHER.
“I was a member there. It was situated in an old part of Cox’s Mill in Methven Street, Lochee.
It is now the cafe in Tesco’s!
“Dennis was a great boxing trainer, one of the great men who ran youth clubs in Dundee.
“I also remember the BELMONT CLUB and there was also a club situated in Dudhope Castle.
“I got interested in boxing because my pal DAN GILFEATHER took me to his dad’s club.
“I was never a champion at the sport, but retained a lifelong interest in the game.
“My favourite boxer was probably the late ARCHIE MOORE.
“He challenged CASSIUS CLAY and ROCKY MARCIANO at 50 years of age.
“Four years earlier, he defended his title twice in Canada, knocking out YVON DURELLE, the British Empire champion boxer.
“I know boxers will appreciate the standard of discipline necessary to continue fighting at that age.”
SUPER SUCCESSFUL SAINTS GET SHIRTY AT REUNION
In season 1958-59, St Andrews Swifts, a Secondary Juvenile League U/21 outfit, won everything open to them including the Scottish Cup.
Now that team are holding a 50th anniversary reunion at the St Andrews United Social club on June 26.
And team member John Nicholson, now based in Perth, has had specially printed T-shirts made with the club badge on the front and the trophies won that momentous season listed on the back.
John explained, “We won the Scottish Secondary Juvenile Cup, the Dow, Fife, East of Fife and Summer League cups and the East Fife League.
“Each player will be presented with a T-shirt on the night and proceeds from the event will go towards combating motor neurone disease.”
Inside-right John was only 15 when he joined Swifts and he was in good company as the team included Bobby Waddell, who went to Dundee, Tom Carmichael, who signed for Celtic, Jim Smith, who went to Raith and Danny Danskin who was signed by East Fife.
That famous season, and many other memories, will be recalled on what is sure to be a great night.
John is pictured below with the T-shirts.
WRONG NAME
My buddy JOHN ANDERSON pointed out that the Andy Geoghie named in the FINLATHEN SCHOOL U/15 football team (BwB, June 12) is actually Andy “Drew” Geekie, who is a lift engineer alongside John with Dundee City Council.
AUCHTERHOUSE/GLENDALE GET TOGETHER AGAIN
Below (bottom photo) - I’m pictured (extreme left) with my former AUCHTERHOUSE team-mates, along with players of the Sunday friendly team GLENDALE, as we held the latest of our reunions with a day at Alyth Golf Course and an evening at Lyrics in Dundee.
Auchterhouse won the North of Tay Cup a record five times in succession in the 1970s.
Thanks to Dennis Elder (front, fourth from right) and the boys for putting together a great day (and evening!).
