The article on Bert McCann on January 20 didn’t give great information about the Dundee-born footballer.
However, a member of his family contacted BwB to fill in bit more of this legendary footballer’s history.
And he also threw up what could be a very interesting football quiz question (more about that as you read on).
Gordon McCann is a cousin of Bert, and he revealed: “Bert was born and raised in Rosebank Street, just off the Hilltown.
“For schooling, he went to Rosebank Primary School and then Harris Academy.
“Bert played as an amateur with North End juniors, Dundee United and Queen’s Park, before signing as a professional with Motherwell.
“Fir Park boss Bobby Ancell actually nicked him from under the nose of Rangers!
“He then went on to skipper the famous ‘Ancell Babes’ for 10 years, before joining his final club Hamilton Accies in the late 1960s as player-coach.
“He ended his playing career at Douglas Park.
“During that playing career, he won five international caps and five Scottish League caps.
“His last international game was against England at Wembley in 1960.
“The least said about that game the better!
“However, I have two anecdotes about that particular international.
“The first one is that Bert spent most of the evening before the match in hospital, as he was being treated for a persistent nose bleed. But he still played!”
Gordon’s second anecdote for that game against England saw Bert join an small elite band of Dundonians (cue to football quiz question).
Carnoustie resident Gordon continued: “Bert, along with the likes of Doug Cowie and Dave Narey, are three of a small band of Dundee-born players to have participated in a full international match against England at Wembley.”
After football, Bert also did well, as Gordon went on: “In later life, Bert went on to Edinburgh University and became a teacher, eventually becoming a senior lecturer at Moray House College.
“Despite obtaining his teaching qualification in Edinburgh, he kept his connection to the local area and taught geography at Arbroath High School.
“A further local sporting connection is that Bert’s mother was the sister of one of Dundee’s greatest boxers, Gilbert Johnson.
“His father, also Bert, was also one of Gilbert’s trainers.”
Gordon also played football at amateur level for Seaton Rovers, Carnoustie YM and Arbroath Station United, but confessed he’s a better golfer than he was a footballer!
He is unable to recall Bert’s mother’s name, but his father was also Bert. He said his father knew Bert’s Aunt Edith better.
For the aforementioned quiz question, that small band also includes Frannie Munro, Peter Lorimer, Christian Dailly and possibly Davie Robb. Can any reader add to the list?
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.