Academy Award won by ex-captain coming home

Michael Alexander hears of ambitious plan to celebrate ex-Terrors skipper

The family of a former Dundee United captain who won a Hollywood Oscar 60 years ago today have pledged to send the coveted Academy Award back to Scotland so that it can be paraded in front of fans at Tannadice.

Relatives of former Dundee United captain Neil Paterson had hoped to get the Oscar to the city this weekend to coincide with the Terrors’ home game against Queen of the South.

However, with all matches postponed as a result of the coronavirus crisis, they have had to put their plans on hold.

Speaking to The Courier from his home in England, Neil Paterson’s nephew Piers Bedford said: “My cousin John and I had hoped to get the Oscar back up to Scotland for the weekend of April 4 – the 60th anniversary of its Los Angeles presentation. But it was not to be.

“One way or another we were going to get the Oscar up there.

“We had a fall-back plan which was just a good old courier take it up there, but a couple of weeks ago we realised there was going to be no cheering crowd to see it due to coronavirus.

“We will make it happen though

– it’s so important as part of the Neil Paterson story.

“If it never occurred to Neil back then, he would be just thrilled to know people still remembered his time at Dundee United and getting his Oscar there is part of that story.”

Neil Paterson, who lived in Crieff, won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for the 1959 film Room at the Top.

The glittering 32nd Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood saw epic drama Ben Hur win what was then a record-breaking 11 Oscars.

Yet Neil’s family say it was his brief but highly successful time as Dundee United captain in season 1936-37 that gave him most pleasure when he reflected on life.

It’s said the Oscar he won acted as a mere doorstop in his Crieff home until his death aged 79 in 1995.

Lifelong Dundee United supporter Tom Cairns, 70,who is the volunteer chairman with Dundee United Business Club and leads Tannadice tours, said while it is “unfortunate” the coronavirus situation has delayed the opportunity of displaying the Oscar, it was “exciting” to realise the family intend to make arrangements as soon as possible.

“To have a Hollywood Oscar with strong Dundee United connections displayed for our supporters around this special anniversary is nothing short of wonderful,” said Tom.

“On a personal basis it has been an honour to be in regular contact with the family of our former captain Neil Paterson and hear from them of his great affection for Dundee United Football Club.

“I look forward to placing the trophy, albeit briefly, into our display units featuring the history of Dundee United FC alongside the wonderful scrapbook compiled by Neil’s mother around 1936 and which has been donated to our club by his family.

He added: “We would hopefully see Neil’s family members take the Oscar on to Tannadice Park which Neil graced all those years ago as a fitting tribute to our club captain of 1936-37.”

“We will make it happen though – it’s so important as part of the Neil Paterson story. PIERS BEDFORD

Above: John Paterson, left, and Piers Bedford with the award. Below: Neil Paterson in his playing days.