“The tour was organised by FRITZ WILSON, who was, at that time, the managing director of Intravel and head coach of the Dundee Stars ladies basketball team,” said Neil (gunner.7@sky.com).
“Other teams representing Dundee included the DUNDEE WANDERERS HOCKEY CLUB, the MENZIESHILL BASKETBALL team, the DUNDEE SCHOOLS NETBALL team, the CAMPERDOWN BOXING CLUB and the BROUGHTY UNITED football team.
“The Broughty team was a selection of first-team and second-team players, including the GUNN brothers, whose father ALI played for Dundee in the late 1940s.
“There were also the LEES brothers, with GORDON, of course, going on to play senior football for many years with Brechin City.
“Guesting for the Broughty team was BARRY TONER, who played for the Dundee Violet at the time.
“Barry’s dad JIMMY TONER also played for the same Dundee team as Ali Gunn, Doug Cowan, Gerry Follon and Pud Hill.
“Also in the Broughty team were stalwarts BILLY CAMPBELL and MIKE SMITH, Fort Bar regulars DEREK MELVILLE and ROGER BOWMAN, and team manager GORDON GRAY.
“The first football match of the tour for Broughty was against a Maltese Junior Select team.
“The game, which was televised, was played in the mid-day heat in front of a crowd of around 3000 at the Maltese National Stadium.
“Much to the disgust of the partisan home crowd, Broughty took the lead in the first half through Mark “The Melt” Lindsay.
“The Ferry side, unfortunately, ran out of steam in the second half and ended up on the wrong side of a 3-1 scoreline.
“Broughty went on to play four games that week against decent opposition and, in the remaining games, won one, drew one and lost one.
“Towards the middle of the week, the hosts organised an ‘It’s A Knockout’ tournament for the Dundee teams.
“The Maltese had been practicing for weeks and duly trounced the Dundee teams who turned up for the event slightly the worse for wear after drinks round the pool earlier in the day.
“The highlight towards the end of the week was the boxing competition.
“The Dundee boxing team included STEVE COONEY, who had boxed for Scotland.
“The Dundee lads had been training hard all week and were really up for it.
“They beat the Maltese team 6-0 in front of a frenzied home support of around 5000 people.”
CALLING FORMER AUCHTERHOUSE HEARTS PLAYERS
JIM SKELLY, of Auchterhouse, was very interested in the recent articles on GRAHAM LOW. Jim, of course, is well-known in local amateur football circles for formerly running AUCHTERHOUSE HEARTS in the Midlands AFA.
“My reason for contacting you is that I grew up with Graham, as he was my next-door neighbour,” said Jim.
“I remember him very well as a fantastic footballer and friend.
“I would also like to get in touch with him and would be obliged if you can pass on my email address to him (jskellauch@hotmail.co.uk).
“I, along with many others, thoroughly enjoy the Friday night ‘Blether’ in the Tele.
“Long may it continue.”
THE SCOTTISH JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL TEAM 1911
Harp JFC’s JIM KELLY (pictured below) was featured last March when he was given the Scottish international jersey of former Harp player GEORGE “JOE” BROWN.
Now he has managed to dig out a photo of a Scotland team at that time (see foot of column).
Joe is fourth from right in middle row.
“It’s a wonderful photo,” said Jim.
“It will now be passed on to Hampden Park to be featured in the SFA Museum.”
