Davie Bruce played in the same youth club team as prolific striker John Duncan, the Dundonian who went on to great fame with Dundee and Tottenham Hotspur.
“Just reading my favourite page in the Evening Telegraph, I read with interest the article about John Duncan from ‘Chicfaecharleston’,” said Dave, now retired and who was a team-mate of John’s at Butterburn Youth Club in the 1960s.
“Back then, it was a normal thing to do to play two games on a Saturday.
“I would play for the school team (I was at Rockwell) in the morning and then to turn out for the Butterburn Youth Club in the afternoon.
“Therefore, I could play against John in the morning, then play with him in the afternoon.
“There were a lot of great players who played alongside John at that time including Mitch Goodall, Ian McGowan and Hamish McAlpine along with many others.
“John and I signed for Dundee at the same time and Hamish signed for United.
“Ian went on to play for Montrose.
“I also think that I played in the game when John scored his 11 goals.
“My memory is getting a bit hazy but I think it was at Camperdown Park but can’t remember who it was against.
“I’ll bet some of the BwB readers can remember, though.
“I think that I weighed in with a couple of goals myself . . . my memory has suddenly improved,” Dave laughed.
Dave, who worked in the wines and spirits trade for many years, also played for Lochee United.
“He concluded: “It was also good to see Dave McHardy in the St Columba’s photograph.
“It was Dave who signed me for the Burn. Happy days, indeed.”
Toronto resident Davie Watson also read Chicfaecharleston’s comments on John Duncan.
He offered: “Chic reckons John was the best Butterburn Youth Club player ever.
“I played at times with John, who was a year below myself.
“I also played sometimes with Jimmy Rooney, who was a year above me.
“Jimmy definitely gets my vote as the best Butterburn player ever.
“John could score goals but Jimmy did it all for me.”
Moving on to another BwB tale, Davie continued: “It was also nice to see Jimmy Ashwood’s bit about Lochee Harp and the photo (December 13).
“I left Harp that year and Brian Alderson took my place as I recall.
“Also in the photo you published was my cousin Norrie Watson.
“He told me of that Scottish Junior Cup semi-final which Jimmy detailed and says he still has nightmares.
“Norrie reckons they should have won that game but missed too many chances.
“I’d love to hear from any former team-mates and friends and can be contacted at mctavish@rogers.com.”
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