Rob Boag, our regular scribe from Canada, is fighting the corner for Lochee once again and reckons the Dundee suburb should be acclaimed for its outstanding contribution to local sport.
He opened: “Over the years of following BwB, I have read about almost every sport within every district of Dundee.
“However, there is one area of Dundee I notice that regularly claims attention to producing good teams and sportsmen.
“There seems to be a need, indeed a craving, for recognition from the suburban sprawls that sit north of the Kingsway.
“And there lies the difference between Lochee and the rest of Dundee.
“Lochee has no need to prove itself, no need to seek attention or recognition for its brilliant sports history.
“They had their own junior football league in the early 1900s, producing some great characters and outstanding teams.
“I suggest Lochee be acclaimed for its overwhelming contribution to Dundee’s sports history.
“Unfortunately, we all know there is a poverty of recognition and acknowledgement from the city’s political masters when recommending awards to Dundee’s sports community . . . Dick McTaggart anyone?”
Rob urges Lochee councillors to take a lead.
“Possibly Lochee councillors could submit a motion to be passed, and this honour be granted,” he suggested.
“What about an archway constructed where the old railway bridge was, fill in that gap that is Lochee‘s missing front tooth. An archway that visitors can look up at and read . . . ‘Welcome to Lochee, the Cultural Sports Cradle of Dundee’.
“I also suggest a plaque be placed on what was Frankie Davie’s pub in the 1950s (I believe it is now Sandy’s Bar) as this was the ultimate sports pub in Dundee.
“In the mid 1950s, it had just turned 5pm on a Saturday evening, and there were already punters standing at the bar ordering pints of Frankie’s magnificent ale.
“One lad had his Littlewoods pool copy on the bar counter, staring at the small black and white TV, waiting for the BBC announcer to finish the news.
“Then, in his distinctive voice, the announcer would read the final scores of all professional football games played that day.
“The lad looked at his predicted wins and draws on the coupon, wondering what he would do with 75,000 the maximum win for perfect predicted scores.
“He glanced to his left, to the seating area, and there sat Hector Duncan, Scottish Junior international and charismatic centre-forward for that majestic Harp team of the 1930s.
“Hector, in his usual spot, had a pint in one hand and his coupon in another and was waiting for the scores to be read.
“The lad called over: ‘Hector, what would you dae wi 75,000?’
“Without pause or a blink, Hector responded: ‘I would add 5 tae it and pay off oor line at McGills’.”
There was always a distinctive aroma about the place, too.
Rob continued: “Later that same night, Frankie Davies was packed.
“You could smell dubbin. You would catch an abrupt whiff of liniment and smelling salts swirling around the arguments and stories that were ongoing between groups that were sipping pints and replaying past matches, retaking penalty-kicks, reliving and reacting round 15 of a long ago boxing match.
“A debate was raging within a group at the bar . . . ‘Benny Lynch never fought as an amateur,’ stated a confident man. ‘Of course he did, you had to box amateur before turning professional,’ countered someone from the same group.
“A decision was made, a letter would be written the next day and sent to the sports editor of The Sporting Post requesting an answer and clarification to Benny Lynch’s amateur/professional status.
“A pint of Frankie’s nectar was the winner’s reward.
“One of the debaters from that group was my uncle Martin Boag.
“Instead of waiting for a published response, Martin decided to telephone the sports editor on Monday morning, He explained the question and confusion of Lynch’s status when he first became a boxer.
“The sports editor didn’t know off hand but said he would investigate and, by the way, he asked, ‘where are you calling from?’ ‘From the top of a pole,’ replied Martin.
“The sports editor then told Martin that sarcasm would get him nowhere.
“However, Martin rapidly explained he was a linesman with the GPO and, at this very minute, he was straddling the top of a telegraph pole and using his handset to speak.
“Martin called back in two hours again from the top of a pole and was given an answer to the Benny Lynch debate, which only led to further intense arguments.
“Benny Lynch, from his young days, had joined the LMS Rovers Amateur Boxing Club but most of Benny’s early fights were in Gorbals saloons and Glasgow Green boxing booths and he fought for a purse.
“Benny fought for money. So, a member of an amateur club but boxing for money was Lynch ever an amateur?”
The debate rages on.
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