“I noticed part of your column had a reference to Andy, Ned, John Lynch,” he said, referring to the query in which it was confirmed the Lynch Centre in South Road, Dundee, was, indeed, named after the brothers.
“It really was a pleasure to have known them.
“Please find attached a small article from The People’s Journal from September 1959.”
The cutting at the top of the page is not great quality, but it’s a good photo nevertheless.
Below is the rest of the article in full, which came with the heading “Any Lochee Lads Want To Join?”
Although it is written as an interview, there was no by-line on the story.
As I spoke to Mr John Lynch in the Lochee Boys’ Club in Burnside Street Hall, we were interrupted by an 11-year-old would-be member.
“Just bring an old jersey, gym pants, sandshoes and a towel, and you’re in,” he was told. Then John turned to me, smiled and shook his head.
“We welcome these young fry,” he said. “But it’s really the bigger fish we’re after.
“We want the Lochee lads between 15 and 18 — particularly the ones who seem to have nothing to do but hang about the streets, which almost inevitably leads to trouble.
“And, if they’re tough, that’s fine — because this is predominantly a boxing club, and that’s a tough game.”
Starting almost from scratch, the brothers Andy, Ned and John Lynch have built up a first-class club.
They started 14 years ago, with the aid of the Dundee Union of Boys’ Clubs, in the Weavers’ Hall in the High Street.
And there they stayed right up until May this year, building up the club’s membership and equipment out of grants, club activities and (sometimes) their own pockets.
In May this year, they landed in their present splendid premises.
It has everything the amateur boxer could ask for, except scales.
And it has everything the Lynches could ask for — except older members.
“It’s a great pity,” says John, “but we’ll manage one of these days.
“It’s not as if we were a dying club. After all, our membership is about 75.
“But only about a dozen are older lads. We could cater for 30 easily.
“The Dundee Amateur Boxing Club has given us an indefinite loan of a ring, and we have all the rest of the equipment in the way of punch bags and balls, horses and gymnastic equipment.
“And, although I say it myself, the training’s good.
“Last year, in the Midlands contests, our boys won 21 fights out of 29 entered.”
The club meets on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 7 pm until 9.45 pm.
The first two nights are concerned with boxing, the last with PT, woodwork, etc. It also has an annual camp and an annual sports meeting.
Subscription is 2s membership and 6d a week — “if the laddies can afford it.”
HEADMASTER’S SPOT-ON ASSESSMENT
My colleague James Masson told me the recent closure of Perth’s Caledonian Road Primary School after 117 years brought back many memories, including some connected with football.
James recalled, “The Caley’s most famous football son was probably Bobby Moncur, the Newcastle and Scotland central defender, who captained the Magpies to 1969 Fairs Cup glory.
“However, many other fine players were Caley pupils including Allan Smart, whose junior playing career took in Perth Celtic, Kinnoull, Coupar Angus, Blairgowrie, Scone, Newburgh and Oakley.
“Allan also managed Perth Celtic, Luncarty, Balbeggie, Kinnoull and Jeanfield and, in the juvenile ranks, Stanley, who won the Scottish Cup.
“He was also a youth coach at St Johnstone, Montrose and Celtic, and his football career was no surprise to his Caley head teacher Roderick McKinnon.
“While playing football in the playground, Allan sent the ball crashing through Mr McKinnon’s window three times, prompting the remark from him, ‘Smart, I don’t think you’ll do anything but be a football player.’
“It was a spot-on assessment by the ‘headie’, although Allan is also a successful boss of his own building supplies company.
“Nearing the 60 mark, he still plays five-a-side football, sponsors the local fives league, and scouts for various clubs.
“His son of the same name has followed his dad into football.
“He presently coaches at Blackburn Rovers and Southport, having spent his playing career with a number of clubs including Carlisle, Preston, Watford (where he scored several times in the Premiership), Dundee United and Hibs.
“And, although the Caley has now become part of the new Inch View Primary School, the school team play in Caley’s famous blue and white hoops — the strips being sponsored by Allan, who wore them with distinction.”
