It will surely be the best £30 I’ve spent regarding, contributing to Dundee FC and one of its Supporters Clubs. After all what price do you put on meeting and talking with Dundee Legends, Bert Slater, Bobby Cox, Ian Ure, Bobby Wishart, Alan Cousin, Hugh Robertson and not least first reserve Craig Brown? Was it really 40 years ago? I have to give thanks to Graeme Cook for extending this invite to include a position at the Top Table along side the guest speakers.
It was the Capital Dark Blues 4th Annual Sportsman’s Dinner and promised to be their “best yet” in Scott Swankie’s own words and who could argue with that sentiment with the illustrious company that was present. Scott who was M.C. for the evening kept things rolling along smoothly and was probably using this event as a rehearsal for his forthcoming wedding next Saturday to practice his public speaking. Though I’m sure his wife to be Julie, will be one of the few that is glad we have no chance of reaching the top six now, as what chance was there of Scott sneaking out to East End Park?
With the knowledge of so many of the Great 1961-62 Seasons Team being present, plus the quality of the Speakers in Bob Crampsey and Craig Brown the event was well attended with a large contingent from the Trades House Bar Supporters Club also in attendance, plus fans from Hibernian, Hearts Aberdeen and even St Mirren. Their donations to the success of the Dees, was greatly appreciated. Even current Football players were present to enjoy this event and honour the Greats, as Lee Wilkie, Barry Forbes and even Paul Kane were spotted in the large turnout.
The Rev John MacGregor Dundee Club Chaplain was called upon to perform his own unique style of speaking, to give Remembrance and say Grace before the meal. Only John can manage to have a humorous Grace and still have a pot at the Arabs at the same time. John also reminded us of the Late George Duffus who was guest comedian at the previous years Dinner and gave the event such fun, I’m sure even George himself would have appreciated the humour with which it was proclaimed “We hope the Comedian tonight doesn’t have the same fate”. Bob Doolally certainly echoed those sentiments. A toast was then given to absent friends, the late Great Andy Penman and Alex Hamilton who sadly are no longer with us.
After a hearty meal was consumed it was back to the Speakers and who could question the quality of Bob Crampsey and his knowledge of Scottish Football? Bob’s introduction wouldn’t have looked out of place in a MENSA reunion. Not only is Bob a gifted journalist, but he is a very clever and humorous Gentleman.
His CV reads as follows, he graduated with MA Honours from Glasgow University, he was made an Associate of the Royal College Of Music in London and a Doctor of Stirling University. He has also won BBC’s Brain of Britain Quiz and has been a semi-finalist on Master Mind.
How do you reply to an introduction like that? Well Bob managed it with consummate ease with the following reply. “Thank you very much for that introduction, its generosity was only surpassed by its accuracy.” This was greeted with a great round of applause.
It would be impossible to repeat all that was said but I’ll try highlight, a few of Bob’s pearls of wisdom.
It may be asked why Bob had such a close affinity if not love affair with the Dundee side of the 60’s, part of the reason could be the fact he just loved good Football or could it be he actually taught at Forfar during this era. Of course Bob being the intellectual gent he is, he knew a sure thing when he saw one and decided to supplement his Teachers wage with a substantial bet on Dundee winning the Championship that year, something Bob has only done once since. His decision to place the bet was made after watching Dundee’s 4-2 away win at Motherwell.
In Bob’s words “It was a wonderful match one of those games where it started well and just got better, although it was a league game you just wished you could get extra time out of it. The scorers were Penman, Cousin, Smith and Gilzean, it’s amazing how you can’t remember the Hearts team of three weeks ago, but you can remember everyone that played in a Scottish League Football game back in 1961.”
After the demolition of Rangers, plus wins against Raith and Hibs. “WE started the New Year by beating Aberdeen, Dundee United and Hearts away, that’s pretty good then” Yes the Great man said “WE” when mentioning Dundee.
Then Bob experienced the same fate all Dundee fans have had to endure throughout history especially after working out numerous ways of spending our winnings and Bob’s Tenner at 16-1 was looking good. The slump arrived 3 defeats on the trot, the last of which was against Celtic, which was Bobby Lennox’s first game for Celtic and incidentally also last game for Celtic that Season after making a passing acquaintance with the immediate past Scotland Manager who just happened to be sitting next to Bob at the Speakers table.
"A case of the old story, Mr Shankly saying to Mr Brown go out there and take him out and he said do you mean forever?”
"Suddenly the Championship bid was in freefall and I felt like getting up to the stand one afternoon and shouting. Hey! It’s my money you’re playing for”.
Eventually Dundee got over the hump by winning the next 4 games, though Bob still believes the title was won on the Wednesday night when Dundee were playing St Mirren. St Mirren had a chance of equalising from the Penalty spot and he could still recollect Dundee's furious counter protests, which was a surprise in itself as Dundee weren't a moaning side. It was even more unusual as it was led by Gordon Smith. It was an absolute stonewaller in Bob’s mind yet the Referee consulted the Stand side linesman. The Penalty was awarded and Pat Liney made the save, from which Dundee went up and scored a second to ensure victory, then the news filtered through Aberdeen had beaten Rangers and the Championship was won.
Bob gave Wullie Syme the Referee a lift through to Glasgow after the game and asked why he’d consulted the Linesman for an open and shut case of a contrived Penalty? His answer was “I’ll tell you why. I’ve refereed Gordon Smith for something like 15 years and never known him to question a decision, so I felt it was at least worth consulting the linesman over.”
As Bob said if this got around more widely I’m sure Gordon would have been made official protester. ;-)
In Bob’s opinion the Great Dundee side of 1961-62 Season combined two very unusual qualities, they were both elegant and beautiful.
"They remain easily the most elegant and finest Scottish side that it’s been my pleasure to witness without any doubt.”
As a Dundee fan I personally can never tire of hearing probably the most even minded journalist ever to come out of the West Coast say those immortal words. Mr Crampsey truly means it when he says “Dundee’s 1961-62 side were the greatest Scottish team to come out of Scotland since the Post war years”.
Bob concluded by re-iterating the thoughts of every fan that has a dream. “No Scottish side must be content with finishing 3rd behind the Old Firm, he sees no future in the game if the best that’s available to Supporters is that you come hurtling home in 3rd place only 28 points behind the leaders. Maybe I’m realistic to think that you can win the Championship it’s not unrealistic to think you can beat them on any day that there is and we must not allow Managers to say this, as it also gives the players an alibi before the match starts.”
This was met with a rapturous round of applause and cheers especially when Bob said he hoped to see Dundee be there and thereabouts again.