Supporters, former professional footballers and prominent football writers all had a go at identifying the player, with a new school of thought now emerging that it may not be a Hearts player after all.
The original request for identification came from Frank Milne and regulars at the Inchture Hotel, so it’s only fair we start with them.
“Further to Frank’s request, we have carried out some further investigative work,” said the hotel’s STEF KELLY-BARTON.
“Another regular, ALISTAIR COVENTRY, assures us the mystery man is, in fact, a St Johnstone player.
“Alistair has been a Saints season ticket holder for decades and decided to try and identify the mystery man.
“We then checked a website (historicalkits.co.uk) to discover that, during Andy Gray’s time at Tannadice (1973 to 1975), Hearts did not have stripes around the top of their socks, but St Johnstone did.
“Alistair tells us that the player is, in fact, CHARLIE SMITH, who played for Saints at that time.
“We are not sure if this is correct, however, and any confirmation would be welcome.”
United fan TOM CAIRNS, of Sherbrook Crescent, Dundee, also reckons it is a St Johnstone player.
“I have my doubts the player Alan Anderson,” opened Tom, a dyed-in-the-wool Arab, who has helped out behind the scenes at Tannadice for many years.
“Looking up my football books, the dates don’t fit for a Hearts match at Tannadice on such a bonnie day.
“I would suggest it’s United v. St Johnstone on August 9, 1975, in the League Cup.
“The score was 2-1 for United, with Billy Steele and Paul Sturrock scoring for the home side and John Muir replying for the Perth outfit.
“The defender is, I’m sure, PHIL ROBERTS.
“I am delighted you featured Andy Gray as his short stay at Tannadice was a great time in Uniteds 100-year history.”
Saints fan DAVE BLAIR was quite emphatic.
“The game was Dundee United v. St Johnstone, and not Hearts,” he said.
“It was played during the 1975-76 season and it is definitely PHIL ROBERTS.”
SANDY CARR, STEVIE WALKER and DAVID FARQUHAR were all at St Johnstone’s home match against Hearts last weekend.
They were all as one in suggesting PHIL ROBERTS to my colleague JAMES MASSON, who was covering the game for the Tele.
SCOTT CORMACK was another who thought St Johnstone were visitors to Tannadice that day.
“I believe the picture featuring Luggy and Andy Gray was taken in season 74-75, and is actually against St Johnstone not Hearts,” he offered.
“However, I don’t know who the Saints defender is.”
My former school chum FRED WOOD immediately suggested, “You should rename the article ‘Who is The Mystery Saint?’.
“The photo is from a Dundee United v. St Johnstone game played on August 9, 1975, which was the opening game of 1975-76 season, and which United won 2-1 with goals from Billy Steele and Paul Sturrock.”
Getting very technical, Fred continued, “My (logical) reasons for stating this are:
“Looking at the player in question, namely his stockings, they have two thin hoops around the top, whereas Hearts always wore the style worn by Alan Anderson in the Dixie Deans photo, ie maroon with solid white tops.
“Andy Gray and Paul Sturrock only played together in United’s first team for a short period of time — from Paul Sturrock making his debut near the end of 1974-75 season to Andy Gray’s transfer to Aston Villa early on in 1975-76 season, so this narrows it down a good bit.
“I also note from the photograph that several of the spectators are sitting down on the old North terracing (pre-George Fox stand) and wearing short-sleeved shirts, &c., so the weather must have been pretty warm (guess that rules out most of the year here in Dundee!).
“So, consulting my bible, aka “Dundee United — The Official Centenary History”, I was able to identify what I’m certain is the game in question.
“However, I can’t be so certain about the player.
“Possibilities are: Bobby Thomson, who later went on to play for a very good Greenock Morton side with Andy Ritchie, or Ian McPhee, who played for probably Saints best side with John Connolly and Jim Pearson, although I’m not sure if he was still around Muirton in 1975.”
Former Dundee FC goalkeeper ALLY DONALDSON, who would have been active around that time, gave his view, “I think the mystery Jambo is DAVIE HOLT, who played left-back for Hearts at the time.
“It certainly is not Alan Anderson, the centre-half.”
GRANT ANDERSON suggested, “The Hearts player could be Ian Black, father of the current Ian Black at Hearts.
“A Jambo colleague of mine in Edinburgh has suggested this after some Google-imaging.”
My buddy SANDY “SY” THOMSON threw in this, “I think the Hearts player in the Andy Gray photo could be striker DREW BUSBY.”
Several other agreed with Sy, including COLIN BARRON.
“A good call could be DREW BUSBY as the mystery Jambo,” was his input. “He had the build and ’tache. On the downside, he is defending!”
The fact the player was defending didn’t put off Sunday Post football writer RON SCOTT.
“It’s definitely not Alan Anderson and looks more like Drew Busby to me,” said Ron.
“The fact he seems to be defending could be put down to him coming back to help out at a corner and the like.”
Former Hearts and Dundee United player GEORGE FLEMING also suggested it could be Busby.
ALAN WANTS TO FIND A FULL TEAM PHOTO OF FINTRY JUVENILES
ALAN DODDS sent in the above photo of himself and JOHN DUNCAN, as part of the FINTRY JUVENILES team which won the Scottish U/18 Cup in 1980-81.
“I am looking for a team photograph with all members of the winning team and wondered if this picture might jog some memories,” said Alan (dodzer@hotmail.co.uk), who was captain of the team.
“Some of the other team members who might be able to help were Graham McMurchie (manager), John Ireland (trainer), goalkeeper Gary Smith, Russell Morgan, Ian Ramsay, Alan Sturrock and Andy Robertson.
