Former Dundee, Preston North End and Sheffield Wednesday footballer Danny Cameron came across my article on Elmwood and Midmill Park (November 15).
“My hazy recollection of the ground they used to play on was between Midmill and Douglas,” said Danny, who was a clubmate at Butterburn Youth Club in the 1960s.
“I never played on that particular park.
“I seem to remember watching the ‘Scaffies’ team playing there as a young boy.
“Vandalism in the Midmill area wouldn`t have been strange, as you well know.
“As a youngster, my heroes were both Dundee United and Dundee players but it was still a thrill to go and watch teams play on a ground that had a fence surrounding it.
“To play on one was just a dream.
“So, living in Linlathen, I used to frequent East End Park, Craigie Park and Midmill Park on a regular basis and enjoyed the football that was served up there.”
Danny, who played 122 times for Preston and turned out in 28 games for Dundee, continued: “I think that my dream of becoming a professional footballer took a massive step when a delegation from the ‘Burn’ (Butterburn Youth Club) came to my house to ask my parents if I could play for their club.
“They promised no financial gain but the guarantee of committed input to all the players’ improvement.
“We were then tutored by the likes of Baxter Mitchell, Dave McHardy and Gordon Gallagher in a brilliantly-run club.
“I was 13-years-old and playing U/16 league football and the experience was to hold me in good stead in the years to come.
“My biggest disappointment of my life (I kid you not) came when the U/15 team that we played in went up to U/16 and I was told that I had to stay back with the younger group.
“I`m sure my progress would have been accelerated had I played with you and that team all the way through my school years.
“It was such a short time in my life and, really, my recollection of specific incidents is not great.
“However, I can definitely say it was such a definitive period in my life that my time at Butterburn was probably my most enjoyable period.”
Danny (60) concluded: “Anyway, BwB sparks terrific memories for all who read it and I`m sure you have been told this in more eloquent terms over the past few years.
“Please keep up the good work and, if in the future, I happen to make a visit to my home town, I would be enormously grateful if you could spare a couple of hours to have a chinwag over a pint or two.”
Th Preston North End team group above from 1976 features another Dundonian, other Scots and some very famous names.
In addition to Danny, the other Dundee lad on the Deepdale Park’s books was, of course, Alex Bruce, who has featured many, many times in BwB.
Michael Baxter, who looks massive in the photo, was a very young lad hanging around the East Fife dressing-room in the late 60s when his dad Bill was my first manager at Bayview.
Famous players in the photo are Mark Lawrenson (Liverpool and BBC TV pundit), Mick Robinson (Manchester City and Liverpool) and legendary Everton manager Harry Catterick.
There is also two Manchester United European Cup winners in David Sadler and Nobby Stiles, along with former Old Trafford left-back Francis Burns.
Back row (from left) Stephen Tickle, Rikki Thomson, Michael Baxter, Danny Cameron, Alan Lamb.
Middle row Jimmy Brown, Steven Doyle, Gary Williams, Roy Tunks, Alex Smith, Mark Lawrenson, Mick Robinson and Mick Elwiss.
Front row Harry Hubbick (trainer), Alex Bruce, Francis Burns, John McMahon, Harry Catterick (manager), David Sadler, Gordon Coleman, John Smith and Nobby Stiles (coach).
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