I’ve always been of the view that ‘real’ football men (and women) read this column.
Every week there are replies to stories on these pages from not just fans but great names in the game, both local and national.
One supporter more than most achieved national cult status because of his love for his team and, not for the first time, Sye Webster got in touch with BwB.
“Must say I love reading Blether with Brown every Tuesday night in the much-loved and missed Sporting Post,” opened Sye, a diehard supporter of Arbroath FC.
“I love photos of old teams and players, some that I’ve played alongside and against.”
Sye continued: “There have been various theories why the Sporting Post stopped.
“My theory is that wives and girlfriends got it stopped as it was a great excuse to get out the house to go to the local newsagents early on Saturday evenings.
“Nine times out of 10, you went in for a ‘quick’ pint before going home and, on some occasions, never got home until the early hours of Sunday morning.
“You then tried to explain to your wife that the newsagents was sold out.
“Consequently, you had to go round every pub in Arbroath until you found one which had some Sporting Posts left!”
With his Red Lichties alliance well to the fore, Sye went on: “Anyway, the main reason I have contacted you is that, over the past few months, I have opened your pages to see photos of the ‘minor’ senior clubs in Angus photos blaring out.
“First, it was our arch-enemy Montrose, who had various photos inserted.
“Then there was plenty of Brechin City and, recently, Forfar Athletic.
“So I am hopeful you will print some photos of the ‘biggest and bestest’ club in Angus — the famous Red Lichties that are Arbroath.”
Sye recalled his early days supporting his team.
He remembered: “I grew up going to Gayfield with my dad in the late 60s/early 70s, watching some great teams and players in ‘Sir’ Albert Henderson’s teams.
“This continued right through to the fun days with Danny McGrain’s ‘Bearded Army’, then the success of Dave Baikie/Mel Irons, then teams under John Brownlie and John McGlashan.
“Then, of course, came the title-winning team of Paul Sheerin, with Stewart Petrie as assistant.
“Hopefully, Dick Campbell can bring back some more success to Gayfield.”
Sye continued with a fabled tale, offering: “A famous sports reporter once asked me my favourite football story.
“I told him my family had once told me that my great-great-great-grandad had the correct score on at the local bookies when Arbroath FC beat Aberdeen Bon Accord 36-0 in the famous world record game in 1885.
“I told him that he bought a farm, four cows, six pigs, a horse and a penny farthing bicycle from his winnings.
“He must have believed it as he printed the story in his column the following Sunday in his newspaper!”
Sye, who signs his correspondence ‘Smokies & Wine, 36-0,’ sent in photos he had taken with Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham at Manchester United’s Cliff training ground a number of years ago.
He said: “I had asked if I could get a couple of MUFC signed tops for charity events for the Special Care Baby Unit at Ninewells Hospital and the local Cancer Research.
“I got a letter back inviting myself and my son Jordan down to meet Sir Alex and all the players and to get both tops signed.
“One condition stated that I brought Sir Alex along some Arbroath smokies, which he loved.
“We had a great time chatting with him.
“He talked about when he played up front with Falkirk with Carnoustie resident and ex-Red Lichtie legend striker Jimmy Jack.
“He was really down to earth and also mentioned Gayfield having the best playing surface in Scotland.”
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.