“It’s just great to read all the articles about him over the past few months,” said Irene, of Monifieth.
“It’s fantastic to know people still remember him, and to hear him described as a ‘gladiator’ and ‘a warrior’ makes us very proud.
“This would have really amused him.
“Lots of people have spoken to me recently about the articles and one other word which keeps cropping up is ‘gentleman’ — which he was.
“The photo I have included (below) may amuse your older readers, who also remember The Palace.
“It is, of course, the late JOHNNY VICTORY with my dad and the other lad ‘fae the tap o’ the Hull’ is NORMAN TENNANT.
“It was taken in the gym at the bottom of Hawkhill about 1950 and I wonder if any of the young lads in the background recognise themselves.
“Maybe a BwB reader will remember the fight between dad and Norman.
“They were, of course, different weights and I think the bout was really a ‘friendly’.
“I’m not sure where it took place or the outcome, but I think my father ‘won’. However, young Norman Tennant may have something to say about that.
“Keep the stories coming.”
GOOD FRIENDS WITH MARSHALL KEY
Dundee ice hockey legend MARSHALL KEY also responded to the Boland tale.
“I enjoy reading stories about Bobby Boland in your column,” said Marshall, of Invergowrie.
“Bobby and I were good friends, and he was a character and a great boxer.
“Everyone who knew him had heard stories from him or about him.
“I’ll share a couple of the many he told me.
“He was fighting Peter Keenan in front of a packed house in the Caird Hall — for the Scottish title, I think — and they were having a real bloodbath.
“Suddenly, Peter said in Bobby’s ear ‘clinch, Bobby, clinch’.
“He then mumbled, ‘Bobby, do you know . . . is all this blood we’re soaked in yours or mine?’.
“The other favourite of mine was when I once asked him who was the hardest puncher he ever fought.
“Without hesitation, he replied it was Luis Romero, of Italy, who he fought in Rome.
“He said when the bell went to start the contest, he walked to the middle of the ring and Romero hit him with a right hand straight between the eyes.
“He said the punch didn’t travel any more than two inches and, for the rest of the fight, his head felt like a tuning fork.
“What a wonderful description, I thought.
“I have met quite a few characters in my life and, if I was ever to write a book about them, Bobby might just be at the beginning.”
On another theme, Marshall continued, “I was in America when you had the bits about my kids’ ice hockey school back in 1969, (BwB, April 9).
“However, a friend passed it on to me.
“That was one of my stipulations when the ROCKETS talked me out of retirement to coach them at that time.
“I said I would do it if they could get me ice time to start a kids’ school.
“I remember on the first day something like 60-80 youngsters turned up.
“Among them were JIMMY PENNYCOOK and MIKE WARD, who both went on to play for Great Britain.
“That’s something I am really very proud of.
“Keep up the wonderful work with your column.”
ABU DHABI BRAVEHEARTS
Our latest “Father and Son” contribution comes all the way from Abu Dhabi. Dundonian DONNIE CLARK sent a photo (below) of a football team, which is full of Scots, and in which he plays with his son PAUL.
Paul is an operations manager for Stagecoach, based in Margate, but answers the call every year to play in this game.
Donnie works for the Welding Institute (Middle East).
He said, “I have listed all the names and where all the players come from for the Abu Dhabi Scotland team.
“If we were short, we could pull other nationalities in for the New Year’s Day game.
“Abu Dhabi Bravehearts play England every New Year’s Day and the score at present stands at 3-2 to Scotland.
“The last game against England ended up 3-2 in their favour, with big Eamon Sullivan, an Irish guy, scoring both Scotland goals, and a Welsh lad scoring all three England goals.
