Following on from last week’s story about the ‘two Alec Sharps’, another Dundee ex-pat currently residing in Canada was also eager to set the record straight.
Charlie ‘Chick’ Stewart wanted to give some info on the Alec Sharp in the original article on April 28, as penned by Rob Boag.
He offered: “Re the story from Rob Boag about Alec Sharp.
“I’m sure I met Rob before I came to Canada 53 years ago but I knew him as Rab.
“Anyhow, like Rob, I also live in Canada, in Ontario, and was also at the Johnnies and Forebank schools.
“Rob was correct about the schools, teachers and Shug Gourlay, but that isn’t the correct photo of the Alec Sharp you are inquiring about.
“I know this because Alec was a buddy of mine.
“We were both from the Hilltown area and both played for the Johnnies and Forebank school teams.
“Alec was a year older than me and I followed him into the Forebank team when he left for St John’s.”
Chick continued: “Our half-back line at the Forebank was myself, Davie Whytock and Dennis ‘Cootsie’ Briggs.
“When we went to St John’s a year later, Cootsie and I were made first reserve for the first team and played with Alec and Shug.
“Not all the time, though, as we were mostly in the second team.
“Davie went on to Lawside Academy.”
Chick revealed: “Alec, who was a time-served plater with Caledon, did come to Canada — twice, in fact!
“The first time, he was in Montreal for, I think, about 10 years.
“He played semi-pro there, then he went home to Monifieth and worked away on the oil rigs for a few years.
“With his wife Betty, he then returned to Canada and this is when we met up again.
“Unfortunately, arthritis took over and he decided to quit Canada and head home to Monifieth, where he passed away a few years ago.
“His wife Betty still lives in Monifieth and we keep in touch.
“Forebank Primary School produced a lot of good footballers, but Alec was one of the best.”
Robert McConnachie’s take on ‘the mistake’ concerned the other AS, and was: “There must be two Alec Sharps, because the photo is of an Alec Sharp and the same person who worked on my house.
“He was the player who had a trial at Rangers, turned up with his boots wrapped in newspaper and proceeded to disrespect Jim Baxter.
“Another time, he turned up after the kick-off for a big Downfield game.
“Asked why he was late, he said he was in a domino tournament in the pub and there was a big pot.
“All these stories and more I had heard about Alec Sharp – and he confirmed them all to me when working on my house.
“I hope others come on to help clear up the confusion.
“I built my own house in 1979-80 and I am fairly sure Alec Sharp was a labourer for either the brickies or the plasterers.
“He was a bit of a legend to me, so that’s why it stuck in my mind.”
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