Blether with Brown: Dundee United and Middlesbrough have concluded plenty of business

Former Tannadice ballboy Peter Kerr sent in old photos of Dundee United and Tannadice.

“I was a ballboy at Tannadice from 1966 to 1970,” said Peter, formerly of Dundee, but now living in Alyth.

“My first match as a supporter was Neil Mochan’s last game for Dundee United in 1963.”

Neil is pictured in the United team above.

Peter then gave interesting facts about a possible tie-up between United and English side Middlesbrough.

He continued: “Mochan was transferred from Morton to Middlesbrough for £14,000 in 1951.

“He spent two years there, then an £8,000 transfer fee brought him to Celtic.

“He then came to United in 1960 and stayed for three years.

“Goalkeeper Rolando Ugolini was at Tannadice from 1960-62 and he made 43 appearances.

“However, he turned out 420 times for Middlesbrough from 1948-57.

“Jim Irvine was at United from 59-64, then transferred to Boro for £25,000 after 125 appearances and 62 goals for the Tannadice club.

“When you throw Barry Robson into the mix — Celtic then Boro — it’s amazing how many links there are with Middlesbrough over the years.”

Peter’s other photo is of a lorry on the Tannadice ground.

Peter, who attended Longhaugh Primary School and Linlathen Secondary from 1958-68 when living in Fintry, revealed: “It’s January 2, 1963, and my dad had a hand in Dundee United being called the Arabs.

“The lorry pictured on the park is his.

“He dragged the burner around the park that burned the grass. That is the day that sand was put on the pitch to get a game going ahead.

“The Arab name came about after that.”

The second United photo (below) is also interesting, according to Peter.

Peter, who revealed his father William was part of the Kerr’s Dairy and Arbroath Miniature Railway families, continued: “Season 66/67 was Orjan Persson’s last at Tannadice as he left for Rangers.

“Part of the transfer was Jimmy Millar (joining his brother Tommy at Tannadice), Davie Wilson and Wilson Wood all heading for Tannadice as Persson went the opposite way.

“I’ve always joked that Jimmy Millar arrived with his bus pass and guide dog, Davie Wilson was about to qualify for his state pension and nobody had any knowledge of Wilson Wood.

“At that time, a player called Alex Reid was at Tannadice and I believe he may have had a family connection to then Rangers centre-
forward Jim Forrest.

“Alex was one of the first box-to-box players with endless energy.

“He was used in the ‘man marking’ role, another first in Scottish football where he would follow for 90 minutes the playmaker of the opposition — which he did well.

“My understanding is that he played three games for Rangers, and he had two stints at Tannadice (68-71 and 76-77).

“The early stint was the most successful with 99 appearances and chipping in with 11 goals as he followed people around the park.

“Sad news is that he settled in Canada post playing days and passed away at the age of 51 in 1998.”

Peter, who spent the latter years of his working life with Tayside Police, concluded: “Smith and Smith is Walter and Doug.

“Walter’s history is well documented.

“Doug was captain and never booked/cautioned in his career.”

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