“The photo (see foot of column) I’ve sent in is of the U/16 team taken at Fairmuir Park,” said Alex.
“I’m not sure of the exact year, but it must be the early 1950s.”
Indeed, the photo has same the two committee men — secretary TOM GALLACHER and president ALBERT SELINA — who were in last week’s photo of the 1949-50 team, sent in by JACK CASHLEY.
Alex continued, “We had won the league that year and also another two trophies.
“One of the trophies was the Keith Cup, but I can’t recall the name of the other.
“We also reached the final of the U/16 Scottish Cup, but were beaten in the final at East End Park, Dundee.
“I can’t recall the name of our opponents.
“JIM McINEARNEY went on to sign for Sheffield Wednesday and PAT HEGGARTY was selected to play for Scotland at Boys’ level.
“Most of us went on to play another two successful seasons at U/18 level.”
Ex-pat ROB BOAG, now in Canada, also replied to Tom’s piece.
“Tom McGovern’s mention of BOBBY BOLAND got me thinking of Bobby,” said Rob.
“I met him several times in my Uncle JOE BOAG and Auntie BECKY’S home at 16 Kincardine Street.
“I was fortunate to meet other Dundee professional boxers through my Dad and Uncle, Joe.
“MICKEY MALONE was a warrior with 71 fights to prove it, while FRANKIE PARKES had 32 bouts. JIM COWIE had 97 fights, and JIM BRADY entered an amazing 154 times into a boxing ring.
“NORRIE TENNANT fought 54 bouts, while FREDDIE TENNANT had an incredible 180 fights to his name. Freddie also entered the ring a record five times to take on the legendary Benny Lynch. Bobby Boland had 72 battles in a boxing ring.
“A good friend of our family at that time, DANNY O’SULLIVAN, British and Commonwealth bantamweight champion, told me that Bobby was the hardest — not the best — but the hardest opponent he ever fought.
“Danny said after hitting Bobby with everything he had that Bobby kept coming forward, saying, ‘Is that it, is that all you’ve got!?’
“Bobby beat Danny on points in a 10-rounder at Earls Court, London, in 1950.
“Professional boxers at that time made very little, if any, money. However, the promoters did very well.
“Gloves did not have the amount of padding used in today’s equipment, and referees rarely stopped a fight, regardless of the terrible cuts and punishment a boxer may be taking.
“These Dundee lads took on the best that boxing had to offer at that time. They fought and performed in arenas way beyond the rules and boundaries of today’s boxing ring.
“They were warriors and gladiators.”
CHARLIE HAS ALMOST ALL CIGARETTE CARDS
CHARLIE GRIEVE, Kinnoull Junior FC treasurer, responded to the Lochee United cigarette card photo featured on November 20.
“You may not be aware, but that Lochee United cigarette card photo is from a series of 165 Scottish football and rugby team photocards issued by the Ardath Tobacco Company in 1936,” he offered.
“So DRUMMOND ROBERTSON will be right that the photo was likely taken in late 1935.
“The series includes many local teams of interest — all with a very short history of the club at that time (on the back) — and includes all the names of the individuals photographed in each case.
“Dundee teams included in the series are Dundee FC, Dundee United FC, Dundee Arnot Juniors, Dundee East Craigie Juniors, Dundee Fairfield Juniors, Dundee Junior League Select, Dundee North End Juniors, Dundee St Joseph’s, Dundee Stobswell Juniors, Dundee Violet Juniors, Forthill Athletic Juniors, Lochee Harp Juniors and, of course, Lochee United Juniors.
“Perth and Perthshire teams included are Fair City Athletic Juniors, Perth Celtic Juniors, Perth Half-Holiday Junior Select, Perth Roselea, Perthshire Junior Select, St Johnstone, Scone Thistle, Crieff Earngrove, Dunblane Rovers Juniors, Blairgowrie, Alyth United Juniors.
“Other teams from the surrounding area include Montrose, Montrose Roselea, Brechin City, Arbroath, Arbroath Victoria, Forfar Athletic and the Forfarshire Junior Select.
“I have all 165 photocards from this series.
“I’d be happy to provide further info if the photocards or team listings could be of interest to anyone looking for info on local football history.”
THERE WAS NO FIVES CUP THEN
“I enjoy your column every week and the recent story about the lost trophy at North End really brought back memories,” said DAVID DODDS, of Tweed Crescent, Dundee.
“I played for the YM Anchorage A team long gone in the Midlands Amateur FA.
“I entered a side into the North End Fives which was made up of RON GOWANS, JIM FLEMING, STEWART YOUNG, GEORGE JOHNSTON and myself.
“We won the competition in 1955-56 and the same five won it again in 1959.
“The prize for the winners at that time was a lovely canteen of cutlery for each player, and I think the runners-up got a clock.
“There was never a sign of a trophy at that time, so I assume the cup Andy Walker mentions was introduced later.”
TAM PLAYED FOR HARP
“I read your column every Friday and enjoy it,” opened BRIAN ETCHELLS.
“I wonder if your and/or your readers can help me shed some light on my late father’s junior football career.
“His name is THOMAS (TAM) ETCHELLS and the only info I have on him is that he played as a centre-forward for Lochee Harp either in the late 1930s or just after the war.
“He also played for St Columbus and was capped for Scotland at schoolboy level.
“I would be very grateful for any info and any pictures that someone may have. I’m always looking at BwB’s football photos in case one should show him.”
ANN CLAIMS PHOTOS
The far-reaching power of BwB was again evident last week when it took just a few hours after the paper hit the streets for Broughty Ferry’s ANN WELSH, widow of former Riverside Athletic coach Willie, to claim back her photos, which were in the back of a photo frame she had given away to a charity shop.
BwB ON THURSDAY . . .
Next week’s BLETHER with BROWN will be featured in the Evening Telegraph on THURSDAY, December 24, and will be online the same day.
