I’ve been lucky as I’ve been able to enjoy at least a word with four out of five — Pele, Tiger Woods (pre-disgrace), Charlie Cooke and Alan Gilzean.
The only one to escape my admiring glance, outstretched hand and autograph book is Muhammad Ali — and I don’t think there is much of an opportunity of a chance meeting now.
However, BwB this week is all about ALAN GILZEAN as, a week tomorrow, a new book from BackPage Press about the former Dundee, Tottenham Hotspur and Scotland striker is released — In Search Of Alan Gilzean — written by Scottish-based journalist and lifelong Tottenham Hotspur fan James Morgan.
The venue for that event is The DCA* (10 am-noon), and I’m sure many of the older generation of Dundee fans will want to go downtown for the launch and to purchase a book.
However many words I say about the great man, nothing can better the high regard in which he is held by his former team-mates.
As the league-winning 1961-62 season began, his partnership with Alan Cousin was blossoming.
The pair began to strike up the kind of understanding that, since Cousin didn’t train daily with the team, could only have come from intuition.
“There is no doubt he was the goalscorer,” says Cousin. “I scored a lot of goals, but he was exceptional in the best possible sense, and he was wonderful in the air. I suppose we were a bit like Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton when Blackburn won the English Premier League.
“I would not describe us as being overly physical — we were great in the air, fast, but not like Shearer in that he could throw his weight about. Indeed, Gillie suffered once or twice with cuts and bruises.”
* Tickets first-come basis by emailing backpage@backpagepress.co.uk with the subject “Alan Gilzean launch”.
EXTRACT FROM BOOK
Dens Park still has the feel of an old football ground. The corridors are painted in red and blue halves and the carpet bears the club insignia. A montage at the entrance bears the faces of a bygone era.
Few of those captured are modern-day heroes, save for Claudio Caniggia, the former Argentina and Roma striker who briefly illuminated the stadium at the end of the 1990s and who was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame on the same night as Gillie in April 2009.
This is a club which can’t escape the ghosts of 1962.
The walls are adorned with their portraits, each detailing the goal and appearance records of their subject.
How many players since Dundee’s glory days have had to make that walk past these ghosts following a humiliating defeat.
How many are even aware of their legacy?
“GILLIE WAS A HERO TO ME . . . AND I PLAYED IN THE SAME TEAM!”
PAT LINEY was one of the unsung heroes of Dundee’s league-winning campaign.
His penalty save in the penultimate match of the campaign, in the midweek game against St Mirren, ensured they entered the final game against St Johnstone requiring only a draw to secure the title.
Pat, now back at Dens as a match-day host, smiles as he recalls Gilzean’s feats in the air.
“The way he played, he was a natural. I hated playing against him in practice, because, if a ball came into the area, you knew he was getting it,” said Pat.
“Not even England international Gordon Banks, who was a world-class keeper, could stop him in the air.
“There is a famous photograph of Banks, his arm fully outstretched, attempting to punch the ball against Scotland at Hampden in 1964 and Gilzean is above him, nodding in the only goal.
“In the end, I just used to try to catch the header and forgot about going for the cross.”
“The last time I saw Gillie was at Bert Slater’s funeral and we all had a cup of tea,” says Pat.
“He could either have gone like Ronaldo or George Best, but he maybe retreated into his own wee world.
“He might feel, because of the circumstances in which he left here, the fans might hold it against him but they don’t — they still love him here.
“Gillie was a hero to me . . . and I played in the same team!”
WE HAVE 10 OF THE BOOKS TO GIVE AWAY TO BWB READERS
Those very nice people at Backpagepress (backpagepress.co.uk) have given the Evening Telegraph 10 copies of the book to give away in a competition.
For your chance to win one, simply answer the following question —
Against which of the Old Firm did Alan Gilzean score four goals in one game?
THEN CALL OUR SPECIAL COMPETITION LINE 09010 300 018
When prompted, leave your answer, name (spelling out your surname), address (including your postcode and telephone number.
Calls should cost no more than 25p and the competition ends at 8 am on Monday.
Employees of D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd. and their families are not eligible to enter.
TEAMS RESIGNED BECAUSE OF TRAVEL PROBLEMS
Terence O’Fee’s tale from June 4 prompted input from Lochee’s ANDY WALKER — as if there was ever any doubt that it would.
“Mr O’Fee is correct that Celtic FC played two matches on Saturday, April 15, 1917,” said Andy, a self-appointed historian.
“This was due to the FA and SFA agreeing that matches could only be played on Saturdays and holidays.
“The match at Motherwell was cancelled due to heavy snow on Fir Park.
“Clyde also had to play two matches on the same day on Saturday, April 4, 1917, playing Motherwell and then Third Lanark.
“The main reason was war-time regulations. The year 1917 saw situations that today we take as natural.
“For example, substitutions.
“On Saturday, Jauary 20, 1917, Partick Thistle played Rangers and, after three minutes, a Thistle player was injured. Manager Mr Easton put on a substitute and Rangers did not object.
“There were other ideas that failed.
“In December 1916, a proposal that a game last only 80 minutes was only narrowly defeated by one vote.
“In January 1917, Ayr United complained they could not travel to Aberdeen and back on the same day.
“They then started a campaign to drop teams from the league, predominantly Northern clubs.
“At the AGM in June that year, Aberdeen, Dundee and Raith Rovers were asked to leave the league and the reason given was ‘travel difficulties’.
“Eight other clubs had dropped out, Dundee Hibs, East Stirlingshire and Clydebank amongst them.”
Getting back to two games on the same day, Andy turns his attention to local matters.
He continued, “In the Rock Cup in 1958, St Peter and Paul primary football team played St Mary’s Forebank.
“The match ended 2-2 and the cup was shared for six months each.
“However, approximately two hours later, St Mary’s Forebank played St Mary’s Lochee in the Meikleham Cup Final and, on this occasion, Forebank won 3-2.
“Both cup finals were played at Beechwood Park.
“Even the juniors in Dundee have played two games on the one day.
“In the mid-60s, in the Charity Cup Final Carnoustie played Osborne at North End Park.
“After 90 minutes, it was goalless.
“It seems the rules stated the Charity Cup Final was the highlight of the season and that the season was officially finished with this game.
“As committees huddled together to decide what was to happen and fans drifting away, an announcement was made that a replay would KO at 7 pm that evening.
“Carnoustie ran out easy 6-0 winners.
“I remember Jock Myles, that icon of Carnoustie JFC, telling John Reilly (North End) and I that passing his driving test on the Thursday before the match had a big bearing on the result.
“I’ve no reason why and maybe Jock will explain all.”
JOE TRONT PLAYED IN BIG GAME
“It was with great sadness I read about the recent death of Joe Tront, former Lawside Academy pupil and junior player,” said Carnoustie’s KENNETH BRANNAN.
“Tronty’s name cropped up in a conversation before the recent Junior match between Lochee United and Edinburgh City.
“I mentioned to the company present that I remembered being at a big Scottish Junior Cup tie between Broughty Athletic and St Joseph’s at Claypotts (now known as Whitton Park) many years ago.
“I was astounded when Chris Mackenzie told me he played in that match all those years ago.
“We think Joeys won that tie 3-1, and I think I recall Joe Tront playing that day.
“I reckoned the game was in 1971, and Chris agrees, citing the month as January.”
“What I also remember about that game was that there was a very big crowd on a very cold day.
“I reckon about 1300, but Chris puts it around 2000.
“Can any BwB reader supply any more details of this game?”
REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL
Sadly, ALLAN KEILLOR’S mother died recently.
“While going through her papers, we found a registration of a form “A” Professional Player in the name of our father, who died some 25 years ago.
“The form is for season 1940-1941 in the name of WILLIAM KEILLOR, Bucklershead, Murroes, By Dundee.
“He was registered as a professional football player for FORTHILL ATHLETIC, and the form was signed by a GEORGE G. GRAHAM.
“Dad was in the Territorial Army and was called up in 1939, so must have only played a few games while training at Alness.
“Can BwB find any information on him or, indeed, Forthill Athletic.”
In previous articles, we have unearthed Forthill Athletic as winners of the Courier Cup and Forfarshire Cup finalists in season 1930-31. They played their games at Castle Green.
Seemingly, after the war, Forthill didn’t start up again, and many of their players joined Broughty Ex-Service, who are now the junior team Broughty Athletic.
Any other info on Forthill Athletic would be welcomed.
IT JUST DOESN’T GET MUCH BETTER!
“Many thanks for your coverage of the Dundee FC/Dundee United FC club record,” said TOM CAIRNS, of Downfield (BwB, August 13).
“The article and picture was well-received by many friends and relations — home and abroad.
“How fortunate I’ve been to share a page with Alan Gilzean, Charlie Cooke, Kenny Cameron and, of course, your goodself!
“It just doesn’t get much better!”
SCOTT’S DOUBLE SCOTTISH CUP SUCCESS
Scott Drummond, of Dundee, adds to the list of Dundee teams which have won the Scottish Cup.
“I was part of the HILLSIDE BOYS CLUB team that won the Scottish Juvenile Cup at U/17 level in 1977, then the U/18 national trophy in 1979.”
CALLING DOUG HOUSTON
FIONA GLEN, of Sydney, Australia, is looking to get in touch with former Dundee and Dundee United footballer DOUG HOUSTON.
“Doug is my second cousin and I have inherited a photograph of the Houstons taken late 1920s,” said Fiona.
“Doug is the only person I know of who might be able to identify the 25 people in it.
“I’m aware he may not know of me since I grew up in London and visited Scotland for the first time two years ago — I loved it!”
If Doug’s reading this, or someone can inform him, Fiona’s email address is sjoseph@bigpond.net.au
FORMER ROCKETS MEET FOR REUNION
Previous BwB references to legendary ice hockey side DUNDEE ROCKETS helped prompt Dougie Scrimgeour to organise a reunion of the players from that team.
It went ahead recently in Frews, Strathmartine Road, Dundee.
“Rockets are the only team ever to complete a grand slam in one season in ice hockey,” revealed Dougie.
“Marshall Key, who couldn’t attend the reunion, is the only Dundee player to be honoured in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Canada.”
Described by Dougie, some of the players in the photo below are (front) Charlie Kinmond (shorts), Brian Slater (white beard), Dougie Scrimgeour (pink shirt), Mike Ward (bottom right), Jimmy Pennycook (standing).
Those in the middle row include Joe Guilcher (white t-shirt), Sam McDonald (jacket), Peem Lafferty (black jersey), Arthur Egen (white hair).
Some at the back are George Reid (behind Joe Guilcher), Pete Reilly (glasses), Jim Rodgers (white beard), Tom Stewart, Chris Farrell, Bertie Ross (white hair, clear glasses).
Dougie concluded, “Players who played for Great Britain were Jimmy Pennycook and Mike Ward.
“Scotland caps went to Peem Lafferty, Joe Guilcher, Dougie Scrimgeour, Tom Stewart, Sam McDonald, Charlie Kinmond and Molly Reid.”
