ALBERT Kidd, formerly of Dundee FC, and ‘Heart-breaker-in-chief’, was home recently to face a heavy programme of family occasions and sporting events.
However, according to Andy Walker, he has not forgotten his roots.
“I mentioned to Albert — over here on holiday from Australia — that one of our old neighbours John McInally, who lived beside us in Brownhill Street, was in a nursing home,” said Andy.
“Albert asked me to give him all the details and promised to go to St Ronan’s Home in Dalkeith Road, Dundee, to meet John.
“Two days before he was due to return home, Albert called and we went to see John. After a wee while, John got into his stride, and memories were exchanged.
“Goodness knows what the staff thought but the sound of laughter rang through the level we were on.
“Albert stayed for about an hour.
“He probably would have stayed longer but he had another family meeting.
“As we said our farewells, John said to Albert: ‘Eh kent you wir gonna be a fitba player, cos nivir once did yir ball ever hit meh backies’.”
My own recollection of John is that, even well into his 50s and 60s, he was still keen on taking part in a game of football — very much in the ‘have boots will travel’ mode.
A taxi driver, his boots were always in the boot of the cab, polished and ready for a call from any team who found themselves a man short. Sometimes not content on waiting for that call, John would turn up at pitches in the city hosting games around half-an-hour before kick-off in the hope of claiming a jersey.
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