“I am at odds with some of my friends about the last time it was played for, and who were the last winners.
“I think the last year it went ahead was 1970.
“The winning team was the MAC’S FIVE, consisting of STAN McINEARNEY, BILLY FRASER (goalkeeper), DENNIS ELDER, GEORGE “DODE” WATT, JIMMY McINTOSH and sixth man DREW HERD.
“It wasn’t played for the year after or the year after that.
“For three years, the trophy sat on the television in my late parents’ house.
“At that time, I was working with the painting division of the Public Works Department.
“I was approached by the general manager George Masterton, an icon in North End JFC circles.
“He said, ‘Painter, I believe you have something that might belong to us.’
“Knowing who he was, I meekly offered, ‘Yes, I got this scraper and duster from the company.’
“He bellowed, ‘You have a cup that rightly belongs to North End. It’s sitting on your mum and dad’s TV.’
“Mock astonishment then set in and I asked, ‘Mr Masterton, how do you know this? Can you also give me five aways for the fixed odds on Saturday?’
“He didn’t see the funny side of that and retorted, ‘Any more of that infantile nonsense and you will be away in five days!’
“He was not in a joking mood!
“I found out a few weeks later that a debate about the North End Fives between some electricians in the company revealed who was in possession of the trophy.”
Andy has enclosed copies of the draws and there are some great team names . . . King Billy Fives, The Five Tims, Entwhistle Dodgers, Tay Valley Sprompers, Carlsberg Specials, DECS Black Diamonds, Dazzler Duncan’s Five.
I notice senior referees such as BERT CROCKETT and BOB HENDERSON participated in the competition.
“KRUEGER” BUTCHER WAS BOSS
Well-known local referee FRED BUTCHER was able to reel off all the names on the EAST END ATHLETIC photo of September 25.
“I actually ran that team and we played for three years in the Sunday Morning League in Dundee,” said Fred. “We got promoted one year, but we didn’t win any leagues or cups.”
Fred named them thus: Back row (from left) — Russell Headridge, Neil McPhee, Brian Reid, Gordon (surname unknown), Ian Halliday, George McConville, Duncan Suttie.
Front row — Jake Hogan (coach), Tom Skelly, Aaron Hoolichan, John Bannon, John Johnstone.
AARON HOOLICHAN was also in the photo, and his input was, “That was a great photo of East End Athletic.
“Brian Reid is now living in Sydney, Australia, and he is the son of Molly, of Dundee Rockets ice hockey fame and also former director of Dundee FC during the Ron Dixon era.
“Your column really brings memories flooding back.”
ANDY HUTT also named many of the players.
“The player back row far left is Russell Headridge and his son of the same name plays for Douglas Athletic on Sunday mornings.
“We had many a clash in the Works Fives League at Riverside.
“Recently, I walked into a cafe for a refreshment in Perth before a Dundee United game and who should I meet first but Russell.
“Basking in the acclaim associated with BwB, he told me that manager Fred Butcher was nicknamed ‘Krueger’.
“You may recall the photo of the Travel Agents team I sent in earlier this year.
“I forgot to mention two other stalwarts who played just before my time — namely Bill Young (Express Boyd), who still serves as an official with the Dundee & District Youth FA, and local business man Fritz Wilson (In Travel), another weel-kent face.
“Keep up the good work with your column.”
ST VINCENT REUNION
MICKEY DUTHIE put out a plea in this column for members of his former St Vincent School football team to get in touch for a reunion. He received several responses and the function went ahead in September in the Clep Bar, Dundee.
This photo was sent in by GARRY HASTIE, who attended the event.
“The names are (from left) Jim Macdonnel, Jim Ferrie, Jackie Butchart, Teddy Rice, Kevin Mullady, Mickey Duthie and Billy McWilliams,” said Gary.
“George Sinclair and I were there, too, but we are not in this picture as we are younger.
“We played years below these old fogies.”
The photo is not of great quality, but was the only one available to use.
THE DANNY CLINK COLLECTION : PART IV.
Danny is second from left in the photo below and I recognise many of this ST FRANCIS BOYS CLUB team of the early 1970s, which looks like it was taken at Lochee United’s Thomson Park.
Among them are goalkeepers George Hayter and Davie Gollan, John Connelly, Davie McIntosh, Allan McKenzie, Harry Mollison, Frankie Campbell and, of course, the legendary Wullie Reilly (complete with Ozzy Osbourne hairstyle!).
If you know all the other names, then get in touch.
