May 1912

Was I Forced To Leave Dens Park?

(By Jimmie Bellamy)

(“Why is Bellamy leaving Dundee?” is a question that has often been asked since the news came out that the brilliant outside-right had signed for Motherwell. In the following article the player himself tells the reason – Ed. P.J)

To the average football follower – among that class I number many of my most valued friends – there must be something of a mystery, in my leaving Dens Park, and just as I had qualified for a benefit.That’s the precise point: the benefit did it. I consider I have been very badly treated by the Club to which I have given nearly half a decade of the best football within me. I have practically been forced to leave Dens Park for personal reasons I would have preferred to stay in Tayside. The climate up here has proved particularly suitable to my wife and family; and my transfer means an unfortunate move upheaval of my domestic arrangements. And then I have made many friends in Tayside.

How could I be forced to leave Dundee? You ask. I’ll tell you the why and the wherefore.

As I have indicated, I was due a benefit next season; more than that, I was promised it when I signed in 1911-12.

But what a change came over the scene when the present signing arrived! I was never seriously asked to append my signature; to put it bluntly, I was placed on the transfer list.

Honestly, I didn’t think they would have parted with me like that. But the benefit I had earned – and I tell you frankly that I had set my heart on getting one from Dundee, apart altogether for financial reasons proved my undoing.

When I tackled them this season on the subject of the footballers customary reward of five years’ service, I was told that Langlands was due one before me; and that it was the practice to award these benefits in turn!

But what about Crumley? Another player who had not been so long with the Club got a benefit before the goalkeeper!

The fact is that I had to go. I don’t mind admitting that I have done very well financially by signing for Motherwell; but it pains me to reflect on the circumstances, which necessitate my departure from Dundee.

Rest assured, however, I shall do my very best for Motherwell. With old club mates in the genial “Sailor” and Davie Muir already at Fir Park, I shall in one sense feel quite at home when playing for the steelmen. I expect to be staying in Glasgow.

In conclusion, I should like to thank the public of Dundee and other towns for their kindly appreciation of my efforts since I came north. Believe me, that appreciation has proved a source of great encouragement to me.

James Bellamy.

The Whaling Season

It seems probable that the only Dundee whaler, which will go north to the fishing this year, will be the Active. The ketch Ernest William is also to go north but will only visit the trading stations and not be on the hunt for whales. The Active is going to the Hudson Straits fishing’s, and will winter in the Arctic. Both vessels have left their usual berths in King William Dock and entered Victoria Basin preparatory to being dry docked and overhauled. For the past week or more carpenters have been busy at work on the stern of the Active, which is the oldest of the Dundee fleet, and when she departs for the north she will have been thoroughly repaired and fitted up. They will sail about the beginning of June.

The Bellman’s Budget

No one can deny that Suffragettes have a considerable sense of humour. The other evening a lady ex-prisoner was giving an account of her window-smashing experiences in London. She had designs on the windows of a certain Post Office (as representing Government property), so in order to find her way to this building she actually asked a policeman. Virtually then she was using the law to break the law. One cannot wonder that the poor man (who, by the way was later called upon to arrest the window-smashers) said, with just a hint of reproach in his voice “I didn’t suppose you meant to break the window?” A policeman’s lot is not a happy one.

New Station Master for Dundee West

Mr William Salmond, stationmaster at Stirling, has been chosen by the Directors of the Caledonian Railway Company to succeed Mr James McNaughton, who retires from the service on 28th inst, as stationmaster of Dundee West.

A native of the parish of Mains and Strathmartine, Mr Salmond enter the service of the Caledonian Railway Company in 1873 at Broughty Ferry, where he was a porter. By reason of his care and capacity he soon received promotion, and his first appointment as stationmaster came after nine years service, when he was placed in charge of Liff station. Subsequently he was located at Ardler and Almondbank, and in 1897 after having been at the latter place for eight years, he was promoted to Kirriemuir. On the retirement in 1905 of Mr John Irons, stationmaster at Forfar, Mr Salmond was placed in charge of Forfar Station and further promotion came his was in 1907, when he was appointed stationmaster at Stirling.

School Children’s Sports

Dens Park
Saturday 18th May 1912
Commencing 2.30. Gates open 2 p.m.
Competition for
School Championship Cup
Flat Racing
Relay Racing
Sack Racing
Egg and Spoon Racing
High Leaping
Football Final

Admission – Adults 3d; Juvenile 1d.
Reserved stand, 6d; South Stand 4d; North Stand 4d.

In Malcolm’s Rooms

35-49 Commercial Street.
Important and Interesting
Exhibition
And sale by auction
Of a very fine collection f
Oil Paintings
And
Watercolours,

Comprising some very fine works by many noted artists and including many from the Collections of Colonel North and H.J. King, two celebrated collectors.
The authenticity of each work is guaranteed.
105h and 11th May from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cards to view on application.
Malcolm Bros, Auctioneers.

Kings Theatre

The management of the King’s have arranged that Dundee may have the opportunity of witnessing a first-class exponent of art dancing. La Pia, who has an international reputation of being one of the most wonderful interpreters of musical movement, is billed to appear next week, This danseuse, who has gained the name of “Enchantress”, has held spell-bound huge audiences in London, Berlin, Paris and America and her wonderful exposition of “The Spirit of the Wave” is something to see and remember. Her turn is perhaps the most beautiful that has ever been placed on a variety hall stage.

The Tragedy of the Titanic

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Make sure you get this illustrated souvenir
Free with next weeks
“My Weekly”
A momento you must not miss.
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A record for your children.
A record for your children’s children.

Tay Trippers Stranded

Passengers on board the Tay pleasure steamer Marchioness of Bute had an awkward experience last Saturday. The vessel for left Newburgh about two o’clock in the teeth of a strong westerly wind, which had the effect of keeping the water lower that would otherwise have been the case, and in consequence Captain Morrison had “soundings” taken as they proceeded up the river. In spite of the fact that the steamer draws less than six feet, it was found at a point about a mile below Newburgh that it would be unwise to attempt to reach the harbour, and Captain Morrison decided to anchor. The passengers, of whom there were about one hundred, were taken ashore in the ships boats, and completed their journey by walking along the river bank.

Lawn Tennis, Cricket, Golf

Splendid selection of requisites for above games.
All new goods at keenest prices.
Tennis requisites by:
Slazenger, Ayres, Bussey, Sykes, &c.
Crickets goods by:
Ayres, Bussey, Odo, Sykes, &c, &c.

Tennis rackets restrung.
Cricket bats and golf clubs repaired.
D.M. Meldrum’s
13-15, Reform Street.