Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Downfield’s John proudly wore his dad Suttie’s Olympic blazer
“He almost certainly would have had to do two years’ National Service, too.”
Bill, who worked for many years as an engineer in the former Coca-Cola factory in Clepington Road, Dundee, recalled other members of John’s family.
He went on: “John had a brother called Arthur, who was also a very good player.
“I remember him from his time at Butterburn Youth Club, which always seemed to produce great players.
“John Duncan signed for Dundee, and went on to play for Spurs, and there were others who joined Dundee and Dundee United, in addition to the Angus teams.”
Returning to the subject, Bill went on: “John’s middle name was Suttie, and his dad – who would be original contributor Lauren Smith’s great-grandad – was the Olympic runner Suttie Smith.
“I think his real name was John Suttie Smith, too, but was known by his middle name.
“He represented Great
Britain in the 10,000m at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam and finished in a very creditable 10th place.
“Young John would often very proudly wear his dad’s Olympic blazer.”
Returning to the 1958 Downfield photo, Bill concluded: “Also in that Spiders photo is George Coull, who would be a wee bit older that John. He also turned out for the 30th BB.
“He was a really good player and had a spell down south with Millwall.” n WHETHER it is a short or long tale, there have been a number of different bizarre sports stories down the years. The following, I’m assured, is true . . .
A 12-year-old schoolboy offered Ipswich
Town his pocket money to try to tempt star player Matt Holland to stay.
Martin Lambert offered his £5 weekly allowance to help towards the player’s £15,000-a-week wages.
It didn’t work as Holland moved on to Charlton Athletic.