One of Dundee United’s great players of the 1960s is the subject of a query from Scott Austin, of St Andrews.
“Did Dundee United pay a fee when they signed former player Ian Mitchell from Newcastle?” he asked.
“Also, did he score on his first-team debut for United?”
Falkirk-born Mitchell made his debut at the age of 16 against Hibs at Tannadice on September 29, 1962.
Although United won 5-0, Mitchell was not one of the marksmen, the goals coming from Carlyle (2), Pattie, Irvine and Gillespie.
He played over 200 games before Newcastle snapped him up for £50,000 in July 1970. Just 15 months later, he returned to Tannadice.
I have no files which suggest United paid a fee, just a line which says ‘in exchange for Alec Reid’.
The file also goes on to say Newcastle had been keeping an eye on Reid for a while after he had impressed for United against the Magpies in an Inter-Cities Fairs Cup tie a couple of years previously.
Reid, too, ended up back at Tannadice but had several years at Morton first after leaving St James’ Park.
Over the last few months, we have given details of junior grounds in Dundee being officially opened.
Matt Nelson, of Coldside, asks if North End Park was officially opened with some sort of gala game.
The ground was officially opened on August 14, 1934, by local official DT Patterson with a game between a North End/Lochee Harp Select and Dundee FC. Around 5,000 spectators saw Dundee win 6-1 with goals by Gilmour (4), McNaughton and Mackay. Geekie netted for the juniors.
North End/Harp lined up — Lawrence (Harp); McGaw, O’Rourke (North End); Coleman (Harp), Norrie (North End), Brown; Ferguson, Duncan (Harp), McNeil, McLeod, Geekie (North End).
Dundee — Lamb; Morgan, Hogg; D Russell, McCarthy, Blyth; Quigley, McGoldrick, Mackay, McNaughton, Gilmour.
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.