As Andy Murray became the first British player since Fred Perry to win Wimbledon, I can remind BwB readers that this column in August 2012 relayed words from Perry that a Scottish tennis player could win the coveted trophy at SW19.
It was then that Lochee’s Frank Jordan told of the time he was in Moscow in 1957 with the Scottish water polo team taking part in an international tournament.
As he and a colleague were having breakfast in their hotel, “a well-dressed gentleman” approached them on hearing their accents and asked to join them.
It was Fred Perry, who was in the city to advise the Russian Tennis Association on organisation of the sport in their country, and they talked about many sports.
Frank reminded me of that conversation this week, and also of Fred’s closing words to them . . . ‘You never know, lads, a Scot might win Wimbledon one day’.
It’s astounding that a Scot has won Wimbledon rather than an Englishman, despite the millions more ploughed into English clubs compared to Scotland.
Incidentally, Murray’s £1.6 million cheque for winning last Sunday not to mention the tens of millions he will pick up in endorsements is a far cry from the £10 expenses amateur Perry picked up for his final Wimbledon triumph.
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