Football refs had a tough time

As the World Cup gets into full swing, it’s how the laws of the beautiful game were enforced in days long before VAR that’s at the forefront of Stanley Milne’s mind.

The Broughty Ferry resident says: “I recall being at a New Year’s Day derby match at Tannadice in the late 1950s, namely United versus St Johnstone in the old Division Two.

“The referee was Douglas Gerrard from Aberdeen. He refereed in both the Highland League and the Scottish League.

“As to the match in question against the Perth team, I cannot remember the score, but The Courier report of the game stated that the referee was seen to drop his whistle several times and also that on occasions he was seen to be controlling the game from a kneeling position.

“Clearly poor Dougie had over-imbibed at Hogmanay and he was subsequently struck off the referees’ list by the SFA. Perhaps Fraser Elder can recall the game and the score and he may also be able to say what happened to referee John Gordon from Newport-on-tay.

“John was a highly respected international ref, but after a game in Italy, he and his linesman accepted gifts from one of the Milan clubs. Although there was no suggestion that these gifts influenced the result of the game, this was strictly forbidden by the SFA and John and his linesman were banned sine die.

“I think it affected poor John’s health and I don’t think he lived long after – perhaps Fraser or Dundee international referee Bob Valentine can recall. He’d been employed as a cashier at Keiller’s sweet factory, but what a sad ending to a brilliant refereeing career.”

Monifieth-based PE teacher and WRNR officer Fiona Cochrane Dyer landed a firm blow for the Royal Navy’s Wrens in August 1987 by tackling a Royal Marines Reserve recruit during this self-defence session at Navy Day celebrations at Dundee’s HMS Camperdown.