Frank Jordan relayed the sad news that his friend Jim Kenny had recently passed away.
“I knew Jim was poorly as I met his wife Alice, and son and daughter Arlene and Ross, recently at Royal Victoria Hospital when my wife Maureen was also receiving treatment there,” said Frank, of Lochee.
“Alice was very brave during this time and she took time out to recall memories of when Jim and many others played football at what was known as The Blythie many decades ago.”
Frank knew Jim when he lived in Lawrence Street, off Milnbank Road.
Jim was a well-known junior footballer in his day and played for junior teams such as Alyth United, Broughty Athletic, Osborne, Lochee Harp and Lochee United.
He also attracted senior interest.
“In addition to being a good junior footballer, Jim also had trials for Stoke City and Dundee United,” revealed Frank, of Lochee.
“He always said that one of his best experiences in football was when he scored a goal at Dens Park while on trial with Dundee United.
“One of his close friends, Dundee FC legendary skipper Bobby Cox, told me he thought Jim was one of the best football-playing defenders he’d seen.”
Continuing the story Alice instigated, Frank continued: “Every Sunday, the Lawrence Street and surrounding area football team would play a side from St Mary’s Street and Lochee Road.
“I wonder how many people would know the venue for this match it was played on Blythies Mill, off Milnbank Road.
“This pitch had a very fine cinder playing surface.
“There were many well-known players from that era who played in these games at The Blythie.
“Turning out for Lawrence Street were Jimmy Galligan (goalkeeper), Tommy Walsh, Billy Stewart, Bill Mulvey, Dick Turbine, Doug Cowie (Dundee FC and Scotland), Jim McFarlane, Abbie Brannan and the McKelvie brothers, plus Jim Kenny.
“The St Mary’s Street squad included John Shaw, Pat Duffus, Frank McQuillan, Tommy Garden, Francie Connor, Jimmy Galligan (winger), Bob and Tony Reid, Emilio Pacione and Jim Murphy.
“The games even had their own referee, who was Abbie Brannan’s father.
“Also, they had substitutes and, when a player came off, it was between the subs who went on by guessing ‘cock or hen’.
“It would be interesting to hear from any other BwB readers who could remember the Blythie football match.”
Frank happily reports that wife Maureen is on the mend.
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