“Firstly, can I say that your column every Friday is always interesting, often giving, as it does, a glimpse of the way things were. I enjoy it very much.
“Certainly, the article on Alex ‘Red’ Forbes, was definitely interesting and very enjoyable. But can I set it in a more, but just as interesting, context?
“To start with, among Alec’s team-mates at Arsenal when they won the FA Cup in 1950 was a real gentleman and football man, JOE MERCER.
“Joe briefly managed England after the sacking of Alf Ramsey.
“But Joe achieved real greatness during his time as manager of Manchester City in the 1960s when they won the League and FA Cup among other things.
“However, undoubtedly Alec’s most illustrious team-mate at Highbury was none other than the original ‘Brylcreem Boy’ and ‘Boys’ Own’ hero, DENIS COMPTON.
“Denis advertised Brylcreem long before David Beckham made it fashionable again.
“Indeed, Denis was the first real sportsman celebrity that Britain ever had.
“He was doubly blessed in that not only was he a first-class footballer but even more distinguished was his career as a superb cricketer.
“He achieved sporting immortality in 1953 when his knock with the bat at the final Test at the Oval secured the Coronation series Ashes for England — the first time they had won the Ashes since the notorious ‘Bodyline’ series of 1932-33 in Australia.
“I know all this as my Dad greatly admired both ‘Red’ and Denis.
“It must have been a truly great experience to not only know men of the calibre of Alec Forbes, Denis Compton and Joe Mercer but to have had the privilege of playing alongside them as well . . . we can all dream.
“Arsenal’s opponents in that FA Cup Final of 1950 were Liverpool, and they had some decent players themselves — Stubbins, Fagan and Billy Liddell.
“Lastly, Forbes leaving Arsenal marked a dip in the fortunes of this great club, because, following their 1954 league title triumph, it would be 16 years before they won another trophy with their Inter-Cities Fairs Cup victory over Anderlecht in 1970, which, of course, provided the springboard for their League and FA Cup double success the following season.”
KEN FARMER, of Douglas, Dundee, also remembers striker Alex going down south to Sheffield United, along with GEORGE BENNETT.
“It was generally thought that George, a talented left-half, would be the more likely of the two to make it,” said Ken.
“However, Alex, who played for Ashdale in addition to North End, got fixed up.”
Ken also revealed that Alex had another passion.
“He was very keen on ice hockey and good at it, too,” Ken continued.
“He was often to be seen up at the old Dundee Ice Rink on the Kingsway with the Dundee Tigers team when he was home.
“However, I think his teams eventually banned him from taking part in that sport for fear of injury.”
MARGARET YOUNGER (nee Petrie) introduced herself as a cousin of Alex.
“Frank Jordan thought the Forbes family came from the Wellington Street area,” said Margaret, of Hilltown, Dundee.
“He actually stayed at 25 Kinghorne Road.
“He had four brothers — Robert, James, William and George.
“I haven’t seen or heard from Alex or any of his brothers for a long time as we just seemed to drift apart in the passage of time.
“The last I heard was many years ago that he ran a cafe in Blackfriars Bridge, London.
“I don’t even know if Alex is still alive.
“It would be great if any of the BwB readers could shed a light on this.”
Local ice hockey legend MARSHALL KEY described “Red” Forbes as “like a brother to me.”
“For several years, we were inseparable,” said Marshall, now resident in Invergowrie.
“He was five years older than me and I remember watching him play for North End.
“He used to work for the DPM in the morning and manned the plough at the old Dundee Ice Rink on the Kingsway in the afternoons and evenings.
“When North End played at home, he would change in the dressing-rooms, then bring out all his clothes and give them to me.
“As soon as the game was over, he would dash over to me, hurriedly get dressed, then we’d both run down Muirfield Crescent as quick as we could so he could get to work on time at 5 pm.
“He was scared he would lose his job if he was late.
“During the Canadian influx to the Dundee Tigers ice hockey team, it was George McNeill, the coach at the time, who gave him the nickname ‘Red’, as all Canadians with red hair were called that name.
“Red was also a very good ice hockey player.
“In fact, he was good at everything he put his hand to . . . football (obviously), swimming, water polo, snooker, tennis.
“Indeed, I once saw him dive off the upper balcony at the old Dundee Baths into the deep end.
“When at Highbury, he invited me and another friend down to the 1950 FA Cup Final when Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-0.
“Our train got into King’s Cross at 6.30 am, and Red was there to greet us.
“He drove us back to his digs, where his landlady cooked us a big breakfast.
“Could you imagine a star footballer today greeting friends and family that early on the morning of the FA Cup Final?
“We had great seats at Wembley, too. In fact, I was sitting next to Welsh legend John Charles, with the Queen just a few seats along.
“A few years later, I was also resident in London, having signed for the Haringay ice hockey team, which was all Canadians and me.
“Red used to come and watch and, one day, asked me to ask the coach if he could join in.
“The coach agreed, and was so impressed he told Red he would sign him if he ever gave up football.
“By that time, he was with Fulham and we regularly teamed up on Sunday mornings for a game of tennis.
“Our regular opponents were no less than football legends Jimmy Hill and Johnny Haynes, who were Red’s team-mates at Craven Cottage.
“Your previous correspondent mentioned he went to South Africa, but he was manager of the Israel national team before that.
“I last saw him around the turn of this century when he came to see me with George ‘Pud’ Hill — they were team-mates at North End.
“I haven’t seen him since and don’t know if he is still alive.”
BUILDERS UNITED WON TITLE AT RODD ROAD
JOE OGILVIE came on with a reply to JOHNNY SQUIRES’ piece on September 9.
“Johnny asked about the park where BUILDERS UNITED won the Juvenile League,” opened Joe, of Menzieshill Road, Dundee.
“It was at Rodd Road, and there we defeated Stirling Albion Juveniles 7-2 to win the title.
“I don’t think Johnny played that day or the three games previous as he had committed himself to Lochee United for the following season as they were turning junior.
“In reply to the second part of his query about me not going junior, I can confirm that in season 1953-1954 I signed for Dundee North End.
“I enclose a team photo (below, not great quality) of the team from around that time.”
Back row (from left) — Brown, Ritchie, Donaldson, Smith, Cargill, Phillip.
Front — Neave, Ogilvie, Birse, Hunter, Logie.
Joe continued, “After North End, I then joined Elmwood Juniors, but Johnny may not remember this as I think he is a few years younger than I am.
“Also, in 1965-66, I played for Keith in the Highland League.
“I then went back to NCR amateurs until 1974, when I retired from football.”
NEW BOOK . . . WORLD FOOTBALL RECORDS 2010
It’s quite simply what is says on the front cover . . . “WORLD FOOTBALL RECORDS 2010”.
This latest Carlton Books release is FIFA’s first-ever officially licensed book of world football records.
The book is a celebration of football from a statistical angle.
These aren’t just records, there are stories behind them, and they are all complemented by brilliant photos.
Each FIFA country has their own section, including Scotland and the other home countries.
Predictably, we are reminded that we’ve never progressed past the first stage of any finals.
There’s also a special preview of the upcoming World Cup in South Africa.
These very nice people at Carlton have given me two books to give away.
Simply answer the following question:
“Who are the current World Cup holders?”
Then phone 09018 020 021.
When prompted, leave your answer, name, address and phone number.
Closing date is 8 am Monday.
Calls should cost no more than 10p.
