Ex-Dundee FC player Gordon Black, 87

Former Dundee FC player Gordon Black has died at the age of 87.

Black, a half-back who began his career at Hibernian playing alongside the Leith club’s “Famous Five” forward line, died at St John’s Hospital in Livingston where he was being treated for a broken pelvis.

James Gordon Black was born in Linlithgow and began his playing career with junior side Armadale Thistle before joining Hibs in 1948.

He was with the Edinburgh club, who won the league in 1951 and 1952, until 1953 when he signed for Falkirk. Black played at Brockville for two seasons before joining Dundee.

Black wrote his name in Dundee FC folklore when he scored the first goal in Dundee’s 7-3 victory over neighbours Dundee United in the first-leg of the League Cup quarter final.

Black was also in the Dundee side that defeated Manchester United’s “Busby Babes” in a friendly at Dens Park.

He left Dens Park in 1958 and signed for St Johnstone and then Dumbarton, his final club.

A keen golfer, he was involved in the Football Memories Group at the Crombie Inn at Bo’ness, which helps people with dementia.

A Dundee FC spokesman said: “Gordon was an excellent player who was highly respected.”

His funeral is today at Falkirk Crematorium.

Gordon Black is pictured front row, second from left.