A forgotten Tayside footballer’s legacy has encouraged his grandson to pull his boots again, at the age of 72.
Jimmy Bellamy, who played for Dundee, was one of the first British managers to coach abroad and got Brescia promoted to Italy’s Serie A for the first time before he became manager of Barcelona in 1929.
Bellamy and his exploits were remembered by Barcelona in 2019 to mark 90 years since he led the club to the first league title in their history in 1929.
Jim Maskell, who lives in Southend, said remembering his grandfather’s achievements encouraged him to recently start playing competitive walking football at 72.
“I love it and I play keepy-uppy in my garage where a picture of my grandfather still hangs,” he said.
“The family is all very proud to see Jimmy’s name alongside so many icons of the game.
“Not many people can say what have Pep Guardiola, Bobby Robson and Johan Cryuff got in common with their grandfather?
“Being the manager of Barcelona and winning the championship for me was his crowning glory after an impressive playing career.
“Scoring a goal and winning the Scottish Cup Final for Dundee must rank a close second. I certainly still brag about him whenever possible!”
Mr Maskell said he lived with Bellamy in Southend from 1952 for many years and he follows Barcelona’s fortunes regularly as well as being an Arsenal and Dundee fan.
He said: “All of Jimmy’s five daughters have now passed away and I am one of three grandchildren and the only one to take an interest in football.
“I have toured the Barcelona museum twice and watched them play against Manchester United in 1994.
“My grandson Hugo and I went to the Nou Camp in July and had a VIP tour after telling them all about our family’s connection.
“Sadly there are no pictures of him in the museum although there is one on the club’s website.”
Born in London in 1881, Jimmy Bellamy played at outside-right for Barking, Grays United and Reading before moving to Arsenal where he made 29 league appearances.
Bellamy joined Portsmouth and Norwich City before moving to Dens Park in the summer of 1908 where he spent four years and scored 50 goals.
His finest hour was scoring the first goal with a header in Dundee’s 1910 Scottish Cup Final victory against Clyde.
Bellamy signed for Motherwell after leaving Dundee before spells with Burnley, Fulham, Southend United, Ebbw Vale and his first club Barking.
He embarked on a coaching career abroad after hanging up his boots.
Bellamy led Barcelona to La Liga in 1929 and the club also won the Campeonato de Catalunya in 29-30 and 30-31.
However, as coach, he was in charge when Barcelona suffered Barça its biggest defeat, losing 12-1 to Athletic Bilbao in the league championship.
The defeat got Bellamy sacked and is still a La Liga record.
Returning to England, Bellamy was appointed coach of his first club Barking in February 1933, but was dismissed three months later.
Mr Maskell said his grandfather worked at Tilbury Docks on the Thames after finishing his managerial career.
Bellamy continued to receive visits from some of the greats of the game including former England manager Walter Winterbottom.
