Former Dundee Rockets ice hockey player Charlie Gardner recently passed away.
Charlie also turned out for a number of football teams at amateur, junior and professional level.
His son Grant said: “He signed professional for St Mirren in 1949, despite interest from Falkirk, and was there for a year.
“He made his debut against Hibs.
“At one of the games against Hearts in which he played, there were 25,000 fans in attendance.
“He then went to Aldershot in 1950-51 before returning to play for Forfar in 1952-53.
“Before he signed for St Mirren, he was also watched by Hearts, Partick Thistle, and Preston North End all big teams at that time.
“I have some telegrams from his mum, and from the owner of Carnoustie (AB Mudie or “Boss” Mudie as he was called) wishing him best of luck on his debut for St Mirren in 1949.
“There is also one from a Petershill fan, a very nice touch as they beat Carnoustie in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.
“That game was on Saturday, February 5, 1949, just shortly before pop signed for the Buddies.
“They brought 4,000 fans to the game.
“Carnoustie’s biggest crowd round that time was 3,000, so it must have been quite an occasion.
“In the Aldershot team in 1950-51 was Jon Cropley and dad became good friends with him.
“His son Alex Cropley was born at the time dad was at Aldershot. Alex went on to play for Hibs, Arsenal and Scotland.
“In a couple of the Aldershot programmes I have at that time, both names are in the starting line-up.”
Charlie started his football career at Dundee Ashdale and then moved to Dundee Arnot, where he played in 1943 and 1944.
He joined North End in 1947.
Grant revealed: “I have a picture of him with North End, which says they won the Consolation Cup and played Jeanfield Swifts in the final of the Telegraph Cup on Saturday June 21, 1947.
“After North End, he went to play for Carnoustie Panmure.
“From what I understand from my uncle Jack three players at the time left to join Carnoustie from North End and it caused a lot of commotion in the local football circles.
“At that time, they were the best three players North End had.
“At Carnoustie, Pop played in the half-back line consisting of Hotchkiss, Young and Gardner.
“They were described in the Evening Telegraph of January 24, 1949, as ‘largely the secret of the team’s success’.
“A typical Carnoustie line-up from that time would have included Hanin, Moncur, Bryce, Cosgrove, Young, Thompson, Hotchkiss, Smith, Webster, Brough and Pop.
“His ice hockey career stopped instantly when St Mirren found out he was turning out for an ice hockey team while playing professional football.
“Something to do with black eyes and missing teeth!”
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