No keeper, but Jim’s generosity greatly helped Broughty juniors

joining the Tele sports desk. I was manager of Broughty Athletic juniors and, in the second game of the season, our former Scottish Schoolboy international goalkeeper Jimmy Lorimer broke his leg.

We struggled on for a few weeks with a succession of amateur trialists, but we needed a goalie of (at least) junior standard.

By this time the league had started and we were at the foot of the table.

Broughty secretary George Christison suggested contacting Dundee United to see if any of their goalies were available.

It was a Monday afternoon when I ventured up to Tannadice. I didn’t make an appointment, but simply asked to speak to Mr McLean.

I was mildly shocked when the receptionist phoned through, then told me to go up to his office.

My time in Jim’s office turned out to be very brief.

I introduced myself as Broughty manager and told him of our plight.

He looked at me and asked (his words were actually more industrial) why any of his goalies would benefit playing under me. At that point, his phone rang, which he answered, then told me it was important and that he would have to take it.

I left his office at that point and I didn’t hear anything until the Thursday evening just before our training session started at Claypotts Park.

In walked this giant of young man, who asked to see me. He said that his boss (Jim) had told him to come and help us out.

Dundee United’s Dave McKellar – an excellent goalkeeper – played a couple of games for Broughty and assisted us greatly. I don’t think he played a first-team game for United, but certainly had a good career in the game with the likes of Derby, Brentford, Carlisle and Hamilton Accies.

To this day, I don’t know how Jim knew of our training nights and times, but I was extremely grateful for his help.

Despite trying a few times, I couldn’t get in touch to thank him personally.

Jim McLean’s recent death heralds the end of an era for the man who was a giant in Scottish, European and, for many, local football.