The Dundee FC team photo from August 1961, which I used in this column on August 19, has always asked the question… “Why is Sandy Davie in the line-up?”
BwB attempted to answer this in that issue, and have used other correspondence from readers in previous issues.
Now, a Dundee FC legend, who was not in the photo but with the Dark Blues at the time, gives a detailed explanation.
Ally Donaldson, like Davie a goalkeeper, opened: “The Dundee FC team photo from your excellent column on August 19 continues to cause confusion.
“I am asked why I was not in the photo, which was taken at the start of a public trial match at Dens Park.
“As the picture was of the first team squad of season 1961-62, I am sure Sandy was invited to be photographed as a confidence booster, not knowing this group of players would be the Scottish League champions come the end of the season.”
Carnoustie-based Ally continued: “As you stated in your article, I was signed on a provisional form following my reserve team trial against St Mirren at the end of the previous season.
“I played part of that public trial match when the photo was taken.
“The public trial in the early 1960s was played over three half-hour periods, any trialists and reserves also contesting the occasion.
“A photo I have shows the 29 players who took part, with two trialists — Sandy Davie and a lad called Duncan, whose first name I cannot remember.
“Sandy and his fellow-trialist played the first period and I played the last two.
“The second and third periods gave all the staff game time, with first team against reserves and then some of the first team changing places with reserve players.
“The public trial was free for the supporters, who always enjoyed these occasions as they saw many excellent players even among the reserve team.
Ally, who enjoyed two spells with the Dark Blues, revealed some of the unsung heroes at Dens around then.
“There were players at the time like Hugh Reid, who was understudy to Hammy (Alex Hamilton).
“There was also young players such as Alec Stuart, Craig Brown and George Ryden.
“Tommy Mackle was understudy to Hugh Robertson.
“Also there was Terry Christie, who became a successful manager in the lower divisions, complete with his famous duffle coat.
“Alex Kinninmonth was a superb player who blossomed in later seasons in a Dunfermline team but had few opportunities at Dens.
“George McGeachie was understudy to legendary Gordon Smith, and Bobby Waddell was a bustling centre-forward who understudied Alan Gilzean or Alan Cousin.
“Following the aforementioned public trial, I was called up to be the reserve for Pat Liney.
“However, as I was a novice 17-year-old, Dee manager Bob Shankly signed Les Cameron, a journeyman goalkeeper from Arbroath, as experienced cover for Pat.
“Les and I shared reserve ream duties to what was to become a remarkable season and the beginning of my Dundee career.”
Also replying to the Sandy Davie piece was retired Dundee Member of Parliament Jim McGovern.
Jim’s response features previous BwB articles — 13 years ago”
He reminisced: “Back in 2004, you were getting a lot of contributions about the ‘Lindsay & Scott Trophy’.
“I sent in a photo and story.
“The photo was of the workforce of Lindsay & Scott on the occasion of Sandy Davie Sr leaving after around 30 years to follow Sandy Jr to, I think, New Zealand.
“In my contribution, there were quite a few other football connections.
“It was published late 2004 or early 2005.”
Jim concluded with some sad news.
He said: “A good player you mentioned in your response, Ally Coupar, passed away last December.
“You had played against him in a North of Tay Cup Final — you for Auchterhouse and Ally for Forfar Youth Club.”
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