December 20’s BwB got former amateur boxer Ian Thomas wondering if the Tam Saunders is the same person who was once in Liverpool with him.
“I was in Liverpool for the SABC semi-finals in March 1971 and Tam Saunders and I went down with Andy Lynch, of Lochee Boys Club, because they had a mini bus,” said Ian, of Earn Crescent, Menzieshill, Dundee.
“I was with the Menzieshill Boxing Club and I had a three-course meal two hours before the fight.
“If my manager, the legendary Frannie Quinn, had been there, that never would have happened.
“We both lost!
“Tam was also a good footballer and I played under Dave Mailie in 1968/1969 with players like winger Stevie Petrie and full-back Frank Esposito.
“Petrie and Ian Britton, who went on to play for Chelsea (and also had a brief spell with Dundee United), were the fastest players I played with and against.
“In 1972, the great Grier brothers, Willie, George and Louis, were my managers at Lochee Boys Club, and we won everything.
“Anyone who played for them always had winners medals.
“Dougie Berry, Tam Campbell and Tam McMillian were the three most skilful players I played with.”
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