Andy Argo, chief reporter of our sister paper The Courier, said the fascinating picture of a young Denis Law in the Aberdeen schools select squad playing in Dundee brought back memories.
“My late father Jimmy Argo was secretary of the Aberdeen Schools’ FA for many years and I remember him talking about going with the team to play Dundee schools’ select at Dens Park,” recalled Andy, a dyed-in-the wool Aberdeen fan.
“This was in the 50s and Powis school’s Denis Law was playing at the time. My father may well have been with that squad in the photograph.
“He said that, even then, everyone could tell Law was a talented footballer and, once he grew a bit and toughened up, he could go far in the game. The fact he got into that squad when a few years younger than the other lads proves that point.
“The other thing that helped Law was being able to wear contact lenses.
“Back then, as seen in the picture, he wore spectacles, which restricted him.
“Law himself has admitted that contact lenses not only helped him see better on the football pitch but also play better and gave him more confidence. The undoubted talent of a more mature and focused Denis Law blossomed . . . as his career with Huddersfield, Manchester City, Torino, Manchester United and Scotland testified.”
Andy, who stays in Broughty Ferry, continued: “To the regret of all Dons fans, Aberdeen didn’t spot his talent or didn’t move as quickly as Huddersfield to sign him but I can claim to having played football alongside him in Aberdeen.
“I grew up in Clifton Road, the next street up from Printfield where Denis’ family lived. With my brother and our pals, we played football in the park in Hilton Road.
“In those days, we managed well enough without Barcelona tops, astroturf pitches and high energy drinks we just threw our jumpers down as goalposts, picked two teams and played.
“One summer, I remember a Jaguar car stopping at the park and the driver looking over at our game. He then got out and it was ‘The Lawman’.
“We couldn’t believe it when he climbed over the fence and came to speak to us. He chatted and asked for a kick of our ball. We passed back and fro to him for a few minutes before he said he had to leave and thanked us for giving him a game.
“He had been back up on holiday from Manchester United to visit his family, and couldn’t resist a kickabout even with us.
“Denis Law a legend!”
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