Except, perhaps, two . . . “hero” and “friend”. How often in life does your hero emerge in later years as a friend?
Like thousands of other Dundee FC fans, I revered him as the skipper of the title-wining side of 1961-62, and spoke to him only briefly as a young boy when meekly asking for his autograph.
Then, in later years — through this job — I got to know him and, for a good number of years, he was the friendly face which greeted you on match-day in the hospitality lounges.
Making my way to the Press box, Bobby (76) would never let you pass, always an outstretched hand for a handshake and a chat.
I also came across Bobby — who made 433 competitive appearances for the Dens Park club — many times in Broughty Ferry, where he lived.
Around six or seven years ago, he came on the Fort Hotel golf outing to Tenerife, which I was also attending.
It was there that I was in his company several days or nights and, after a wee bit of prompting, he would relate tales of the golden era of Dundee FC.
Of course, there were many, but two stick out for me . . . and both concerned the Dark Blues’ amazing away victory against Belgian cracks Anderlecht in the quarter-finals of the 1962-63 European Cup.
“We absolutely hammered Anderlecht that night — and they had no fewer than nine Belgian internationals on the park and 60,000 fans in the stadium,” recalled Bobby.
“After a brilliant first-half display in which we scored in the first minute, we were 2-1 up at the break through two Alan Gilzean goals and came into the dressing-room at the interval really full of it.
“We were really excited at the prospect of possibly beating a club which had eliminated the mighty Real Madrid in the previous round.
“Manager Bob Shankly was really cool, though, and initially just stood there and started to light up a cigarette before speaking.
“In the meantime, Gillie (Alan Gilzean) stood up and said, ‘Boss, we’ve got them on the run. Just give the ball to Gordon (Smith) and he’ll beat the full-back and cross to me at the far post. I’ll just nod it in.’
“The manager took a big puff on his cigarette, looked up and said, ‘It’s all fine saying that, Gillie, but we just have to keep it simple!’
“That was Bob Shankly, unruffled and the master of the understatement!”
History recalls that Dundee went on to win 4-1 in that first leg in the Heysel Stadium in a display described by Bobby as “lethal”.
In those days, after a European tie, both teams usually met up later at a banquet, and Bobby had a story about that, too.
“We had half-an-hour to spare, so the players went for a wee walk before the banquet,” said Bobby.
“When we approached the hotel, we saw their goalkeeper Fazezkas on a seat in tears outside the hotel.
“Seemingly, his team-mates blamed him for the defeat and told him in no uncertain terms where to go.
“Hammy (Alec Hamilton) was having none of it and said to the Belgian goalie, ‘You’re going inside and you’ll be sitting with us!’
“You should have seen the Belgian players’ faces when their goalkeeper walked in and sat down with us.
“It was priceless.”
TRAVELLED TOGETHER AS ARMY CONSCRIPTS
Like thousands of Dundonians, FRANK JORDAN was saddened to hear of the recent death of Dundee FC legend Bobby Cox.
Frank, well-known for his tireless and dedicated contribution to local swimming and water polo over many decades, revealed he has kept in touch with the Dens championship-winning skipper since well before he signed for the Dark Blues.
“We all know what a good footballer Bobby was and I’ve known him for over 60 years and, in some ways, in a different light from others,” revealed Frank, of Lochee, Dundee.
“Throughout the years, we kept bumping into one another.
“I first met him at the Old Central Baths at the Whitehall Swimming and Water Polo Club.
“He was brought along to the club by Kenny Smith, who was a tailor with Morton’s in Commercial Street, where Kenny was training in the trade.
“Kenny, who lost a leg in a cycling accident, had encouraged Bobby to swim and play polo as it would strengthen his legs.
“I played a few games with him for St John’s FP at football.
“As conscripts, we travelled together back to our army camps.
“Bobby was in the Signals at Ripon and I was in the Engineers and stationed at Liverpool.
“I went to see him play for Northern Command at Everton’s pitch, Goodison Park, and I remember him telling me that all the guys in the changing-room were with professional clubs throughout the UK.
“At that time, Bobby was listed as being with Dundee Osborne juniors.
“In the opposition that day was no less than Duncan Edwards, Man. United and England, and a Busby Babe.
“However, that didn’t make any difference to Bobby as he had an outstanding game.
“Our next encounter was at the British Army Swimming Championships at Aldershot.
“At first, I thought he was taking part in the swimming, but he told me he was on his passing-out course as a Physical Training Instructor.
“However, he then said he had a problem — a broken finger.
“He damaged it while doing training exercises and he was told he may have to withdraw, but, when he was told the next course was nine week’s away, he said, ‘Let’s just get on with it.’
“Such was Bobby’s determination that he passed.
“I also remember the day when he got his trial for Dundee, and it was against Rangers at Dens Park.
“He was up against Willie Waddell and, again, he had an outstanding game.
“When we were travelling back down south, I thought he had signed for Dundee, but he said, disappointedly, ‘Nobody asked me.’
“However, the next day, Willie Thornton, Dundee’s manager, did sign him.
“Like thousands of others, I watched all his European games.
“We also kept in touch and, at NCR swimming galas, he was a judge for the Miss Swimsuit competitions.
“To me, Bobby was a good friend in sport, a travelling companion, and I’ll never forget him.”
FRANK WAS FIRST TO SPOT BOBBY’S TALENT
Someone who recognised Bobby’s talent well before Dundee FC was FRANK KEIRNAN.
Frank was secretary of Dundee junior side Osborne, and he plucked Bobby from youth football and into the juniors.
“I was very sorry and shocked to hear about the death of Bobby Cox,” opened Frank (88), now living in Fife.
“My wife died 25 years ago and, due to mobility problems, I was forced to move to my daughter’s home in Dunfermline five years ago, losing all my Broughty Ferry friends and contacts.
“I was secretary of the Dundee Osborne Football Club and signed Bobby from St John’s Juveniles at their clubrooms in Thorter Row.
“Along with other committee members, I had watched Bobby play at Fairmuir Park and we all felt we were watching a winner.
“After he signed on the dotted line, Bobby requested that he be allowed to continue with his juvenile club for a short period and, of course, this was approved.
“Then, from the time he came into the Osborne team, he proved his worth with good games that are too many to mention.
“He then did National Service, but still managed to get home for games at the weekend.
“After playing a trial against Motherwell on the Saturday, he evidently impressed.
“So much so that I received a phone call from then Dundee FC manager Willie Thornton the following day.
“I went to Dens Park, where Bobby was waiting, and, following a discussion with regard to terms, etc., Bobby signed for Dundee Football Club.
“One week later, I went to work in Nigeria in West Africa.
“On the BBC Overseas Service at that time, there was a Scottish football match every third week, and I was pleased in September to hear Dundee mentioned, with information on the first appearance of Bobby Cox.
“I was also fortunate to be home on leave at the time and watched Dundee win the Scottish League title at Perth.
“Needless to say, I spend a lot of time watching football on TV and get the Evening Telegraph delivered, although a day late, as my son-in-law collects it at his place of work in Milnathort.
“Although for many years I have followed Dundee United, I am delighted when both clubs win on the same day.
“Bobby wasn’t only a good footballer, he was a very nice person, and a gentleman.”
“GREAT MAN” COXER GAVE POLITE ADVICE
My good friend DAVIE BRUCE was a young Dundee FC signing in the mid-1960s and remembers Bobby Cox well.
“Like thousands of other football fans, I was saddened by the sudden death of ‘Coxer’,” said Davie, an older club-mate of mine with Butterburn Youth Club during that decade, and a well-known former Lochee United junior.
“He was great man both on and off the football pitch.
“I was reminded of an article in Blether with Brown (from May 2006), which was sent in by Andrew Clark. It was about the times that Bobby used to go along to school matches to watch them play.
“He’d also have a photo taken with them and give some comments about the players.
“At that time, I was playing for Rockwell and was (apparently) a centre-forward then.
“Bobby’s comment was that I reminded him of Jim Sharkey, of Airdrie.
“The Broomfield man was a very tricky ball player, but was inclined to overdo it at times.
“Indeed, this was something I was told many times after that, but, perhaps, not quite so politely.
“Then, when I signed for Dundee FC on a provisional form, Bobby regularly reminded me of his comments.
“In later years, I also used to see Bobby in Broughty Ferry on my calls round the local hostelries in my day job in the whisky trade over the years.
“We had many coffees and blethers.
“He was a great man, who will be sadly missed at Dundee FC and in the city.”
NO REST FOR THE CHAMPIONS
There was no rest for Bobby and Dundee FC after they won the Scottish League title in 1962 for, a few weeks later, they were off to the USA to play in an annual International Soccer League tournament at Randall’s Island Stadium in New York.
Skipper Bobby is pictured (second-top photo) with other team captains at Idlewild Airport on arrival.
From left — Bernard Vukes (Hadjuk Split, Yugoslavia, drew 3-3), Karl Boegelein (Reutlingen, West Germany, lost 2-0), Bobby and Enzo Benedetti (Palermo, Italy, drew 1-1).
In the other games they played, Dundee beat Mexican outfit Guadalajara 3-2, but lost by the same scoreline to Brazilian side America.”
