October 1987

Dark Blues’ Dedication Cannot Be Faulted

By The Sports Editor
Manager Jocky Scott isn’t happy about taking a point off Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday – he wanted two. That said, however, he does concede that having already taken twice as many points (two) off the Dons in two games this season as Dundee did in four last term gives him a degree of satisfaction.Looking briefly back to Saturday, he commented that Aberdeen had territorial advantage, but while Bobby Geddes had had his best game of the season in goal, the shots he had to field were of the straightforward variety, where as the problems Jim Leighton faced had him in considerable trouble, especially three Tommy Coyne efforts, two of which he saved one of which was blocked.

Never over-optimistic, the Dundee manager still couldn’t hide considerable satisfaction in the three points taken from successive games against Dundee United (1-1), Celtic (1-1) and Aberdeen (0-0).

The same three games last season ended with no points and a goal difference of none for, seven against!

“These were three demanding games against three of the best sides in the country,” he said, “and the only thing standing between us and victory in all three was a wee break”.

“The commitment of the players is tremendous, they work hard individually and for one another.”

“But what we haven’t been having lately is the break of the ball at the right time. Still, these things go in cycles, so maybe we are due, or even overdue.”

“The way we are going, we will keep picking up points because of the attitude of the players.”

“I can’t praise them too highly because, in half the games this season at least, because of injuries and suspensions, I have had only 14 to choose from.”

“With so many games to play we really need a couple more players. You have to face the possibility of injuries and suspensions with such a heavy programme.”

There is good news on the injury front to a degree. Stuart Rafferty, who so badly damaged knee ligaments against Hibs that he hasn’t been in the first team since August 15, played for 90 minutes in the reserve game against Aberdeen on Saturday and though he was “a wee bit sore” yesterday morning, it looks like full fitness isn’t too far away.

It is hoped that the two other main injury victims, Tosh McKinlay and George McGeachie, will do a bit of running the week some time, though it is too early to say whether or not they will be available for the weekend’s game against Dunfermline.

There was one other injury to a Dundee player on Saturday – to Tom Carson, on loan to Queen of the South. Tom starred in Queen’s 2-0 win over Clydebank – they had conceded no fewer than nine goals in the previous four games – despite picking up what looked like a really serious injury after only 20 minutes.

He was caught on the ribs by the boot of an inrushing forward. Three ribs were displaced and he had to be seen by the doctor at half-time. Despite considerable pain, he played the whole second half and is now heavily strapped up.

Liz Lynch About to be Overtaken by Marriage

In two days time, Dundee’s International track star Liz Lynch will for once be forcing herself to move slowly – as she proceeds at a stately pace up the aisle of St Andrews Cathedral on the arm of her father Martin.

The girl who couldn’t be caught in last years Commonwealth Games is about to be overtaken by marriage.

The Nethergate church will be the setting on Saturday for Liz’s wedding to Irish runner Peter McColgan.

The couple who met at University in America, have already postponed the wedding in order that both could compete in last year’s Commonwealth Games, scene of Liz’s famous 10,000 metres triumph.

A host of well wishers are arriving for the ceremony, with many of Liz and Peter’s friends from the athletics world – including Scottish team-mate Yvonne Murray – coming north for the day.

“It’ll be a great day” said Liz “But I hope, for the sake of my guests, people don’t make too much of a fuss”.

Liz will have two bridesmaids on the big day – her sister Karen and Peter’s sister Jacqueline. Best man will be Peter’s younger brother, Aidan.

After the afternoon ceremony the guests will move to the Queen’s Hotel for the reception and evening party.

Liz and Peter will then enjoy a week’s honeymoon before returning to their new home in the Monikie area. In the best tradition of all prospective newlyweds, however, the destination remains a well-guarded secret.

Magnus Enjoyed Hearing Voice from the Iron Age

The past, and not passes were what concerned “Mastermind” presenter Magnus Magnusson last night when he opened the “Discover Your Past” exhibition in Dundee’s McManus Galleries.

After a tour Magnus said he was impressed with the “inventiveness” of the people who have worked on its design and construction over the past eighteen months.

“Everything about it is just right and great attention has been paid to details which you may not notice consciously, but which put you in the right frame of mind to view the displays.”

“For example, by crushing linen and hanging it from the ceiling, they’ve created the impression of being enclosed”.

Magnus also commented on the unusual recording of “Iron Age” voices.

“Obviously, no one can be specific about how people talked in the Iron Age, but we know they must have communicated with each other and the voices probably sounded human”.

“The museum recorded some ragged pieces of conversation and played them backwards!”

Paying tribute to the museum’s emphasis on the part played by ordinary people in the study of archaeology, Magnus added, “We own the past and this is an exciting way to get people to share in what they own”

“Ordinary people play as an important a role as the professional in opening up the past as it is often their finds which lead the way”

Magnus will also be promoting his latest book, “Iceland Saga”, while he is in Dundee and will be signing copies at John Menzies this morning.

He will be at the Steps Theatre at 2 p.m. to give a lecture and introduce a film he has made on the same subject.

Dundee Grandfather Looks Forward to Acting

Dundee Drama student Claire Lindsay, who at the age of 17 has several years of stage experience behind her, is looking forward to giving a few words of advice to her Grandfather who is taking up acting for the first time a few months after his 85th birthday,

Mr James Lindsay, Barnhill, has joined the Dundee Rep Adult Group which meets for the first time next week.

After encouraging Claire in her acting since she first showed an interest at eight, Mr Lindsay has now been encouraged by her to join the new group.

“I’ve sung at the pensioners’ club and my late wife and I used to sing songs from musicals when we were on holiday but I’ve never tried acting before” said Mr Lindsay.

He is looking forward to doing a spot of singing and dancing in the group’s Christmas production and does not care what part he plays.

“I could be the back of the pantomime horse and see ice-cream at the interval. The people taking part in the shows enjoy themselves every bit as much as those watching”

Mr Lindsay was a mill mechanic at Baxter’s Jut Mill, a maintenance man at Green’s Playhouse and a storekeeper at Remploy during his working life. He also worked at the Blackness Foundry during the Second World War.

Clair is a full-time student at Dundee College of Further Education talking a National Certificate course in theatre arts. She is a member of the Dundee Rep senior youth theatre and is secretary of the Dundee Youth Theatre, a fund-raising body for local youth groups.

Trampolinist Stable

The Dundee schoolgirl injured in a trampolining accident at Harris Academy on Thursday was last night in a “stable” condition in the city’s Royal Infirmary.

Elizabeth Bell (16) sustained suspected spinal injuries after landing awkwardly as she did a forward roll.

The extent of her injuries are not yet known and the main symptom up until now has been a lack of feeling in her toes.

Elizabeth’s grandmother Mrs Janet Bell said yesterday that the family was “still a bit in the dark” but added that the signs were encouraging.

Dundee ambulance men had to go through delicate lifting operation using new equipment so that Elizabeth could be hospitalised. The delicate nature of the lift, which was done using a trolley jacked up under the trampoline, an orthopaedic stretcher and a vacuum mattress. Meant that the operation took an hour.

Elizabeth is one of 18 pupils who attended a lunchtime trampoline club three times a week. She is regarded as a proficient trampolinist and is part of an advanced group.

The Royal Hotel

Castle Street, Forfar
For that special occasion meal, the restaurant serves
Excellent food in beautiful surroundings.

On Fridays and Saturdays, in addition to our A La Carte
Menu, our Four-Course Table D’Hote (£9.50)
For reservations please phone Forfar (0307 62691)

Taycon Construction Ltd.

Invite you to Visit Their
New Furnished Showhouse
At Pinegrove Gardens,
Osborne Place, Dundee
A unique courtyard development of 1, 2 and 4-bedroomed
Superior-Quality Flats
Prices from £32,000 to £49,500
For full particulars contact
Selling agents
Messrs Hendry & Fenton
Solicitors,
21, South Tay Street, Dundee.
Telephone 0382 22785.

Cinemas

Cannon Film Centre, Dundee – Beverly Hills Cop 2 (15), week 2.00, 5.00, 8.00. Saturday times only 12.25, 2.50, 5.15, 8.05.

The Everly Brothers

SV Promotions Proudly Presents
In association with Derek Block
The Everly Brothers
In Concert ‘87
With Special Guest
Ralph McTell (Streets of London)
Tuesday, October 13, 8p.m.
Caird Hall, Dundee
Still some tickets available from
Central Booking Office,
City Square, Dundee.
Telephone 23141.

Coconut Grove

Charity Disco
In aide of Ninewells Baby Care Unit
Tuesday, October 13
Tickets £1.
10 p.m. – 2 a.m.