Italian football’s loss was Dundee chip lovers’ gain

Ex-Forfar player Peter Cabrelli was tipped for stardom but put dad’s business before his career as he turned down a glamorous move to Inter Milan to play at home

He was the Forfar footballer who rejected a glamorous move to Inter Milan to serve up fish and chips in Dundee.

Peter Cabrelli was playing part-time football with the Loons in Division Two when he was offered professional terms as player/coach with the Italian giants.

But he turned down the move to Serie A due to commitments in Dundee at his dad’s chippy.

Pat Kelly, author of Dundee United Who’s Who, said: “Peter not going to Inter was Dundee’s gain as he made fabulous chips.

“I remember them well from the top of Caird Avenue. By all accounts, Peter was some player.”

Cabrelli’s career is being remembered by his former clubs on the 80th anniversary of his retiral from the senior game.

Born in Dundee in 1910, he was the son of Italian exile Andrew Cabrelli, who began the family chip shop business with shops in Hilltown and Lawton Road.

Cabrelli started his career in the junior ranks before signing for Dundee in 1930 but he never managed to break into the first team.

He joined Forfar and during his period at Station Park he also spent time with family in Italy where he played matches with Borgotaro, Genoa and Inter Milan.

Cabrelli turned down a full-time move to Milan but his skills also gained recognition from Manchester United who asked him to sign.

An inside-left, he was happy to continue his career in Central Scotland with Falkirk.

Club historian John Meffan said: “Soon the clubs came scouting in Forfar trying to lure him down south, Chelsea and Manchester United being amongst the big names mentioned.

“But when it came to signing his first full-time deal he made the only obvious choice: turning down such fly-by-night teams to take a chance at being allowed to play on the hallowed turf that was Brockville Park.

Peter was moderately successful in a pretty poor Falkirk side which was facing what would be their first-ever relegation.”

Cabrelli moved on to Raith Rovers where he remained until the war broke out when he was called up for national service.

While stationed as a driver with the army in England during the second world war, he guested for various teams including Arsenal, Crystal Palace,Bradford City, Millwall and Reading.

After the war he played the first full peacetime season with Dundee United before winding down with Arbroath then Montrose.

His professional career came to a close in 1948 with the Gable Endies but he continued to play in his 40s with Dundee Juventus in the Dundee HalfHoliday League.

Other clubs tried to lure him down south... Manchester United and Chelsea were among some of the big sides mentioned

Aplace in a top flight Italian football team is the dream of countless small boys – and more than a few grown men if they’re being honest – but today we celebrate a player with more lofty goals.

Offered a start with Inter Milan in the 1930s, Peter Cabrelli turned the club down because he didn’t want to give up his job in his dad’s Dundee chip shop.

Cabrelli’s chips are still discussed in reverent tones in his home town today. It’s a legacy we can all applaud.

Peter Cabrelli is remembered as a fine player who turned down a move to Inter Milan so he could play his part in helping the family chippy.