The Coronation Cup story on May 24 prompted quite a number of BwB readers to respond.
Retired Dundee painter and decorator John Leddie responded to Andy Walker’s story from his holiday base of Alicante in Spain.
He opened: “Far from me to steal the thunder from the illustrious Andy Walker but I feel his story regarding the Dundee Celtic Supporters Club and the Coronation Cup on display in St Joseph’s Hall, Dundee, in 1953-54 is not accurate.
“Andy says that boxer Jackie Paterson brought along the trophy but this, I would offer, is inaccurate.
“Dundee CSC held their 60th anniversary dinner in October 2008 and the identical picture is on the back cover of the programme produced for the occasion.
“As I was only six at the time of the Coronation Cup, I have no memory of the game.
“However, over the years I have spoken to many people who were either in the picture or were at St Joseph’s Hall that night.
“They have all said the cup was brought through to Dundee by George Paterson, the former Celtic captain who was on the coaching staff in 1953-54.
“George Paterson is mentioned in most of the dozens of Celtic books as arguably Celtic’s finest left-half and generally recognised as possessing the most placid of temperaments.”
John moved on from the Coronation Cup to another tale regarding Paterson.
He continued: “Paterson played for Celtic from 1932-33 until 1939 when war interrupted and he then guested for several English teams.
“He returned to Celtic after the war and, unfortunately, his Parkhead career ended in controversy when playing against Rangers in a Victory Cup semi-final in 1946.
“All the Celtic players complained to club chairman Robert Kelly, manager Jimmy McGrory and SFA officials that the referee RC Dale allegedly smelt heavily of alcohol and the players did not wish to play in the second half.
“Mr Kelly, knowing the problems this would cause, insisted the game must go on.
“In the second half, Rangers were awarded a very dubious penalty and Paterson refused to hand the ball over to the referee.
“He was subsequently suspended for three months and never played for Celtic again.
“He was transferred to Brentford before coming back up the road to manage Stirling Albion, then joining the Celtic coaching staff in 1953-54.
“Hopefully, this clears up the story of the Coronation Cup being in Dundee.
“I am fairly certain George Paterson is in the picture in the back row wearing the bow tie.
John concluded by saying: “Jim Brady is, indeed, third from left in the photo but he is in the second back row, just below the guy with glasses.”
The teams on May 20, 1953, when Celtic beat Hibs (‘Famous Five’ et al) 2-0 in front of 117,000, were:
Celtic Bonnar; Haughney, Rollo; Evans, Stein, McPhail; Collins, Walsh, Mochan, Peacock, Fernie.
Hibs Younger; Govan, Paterson; Buchanan, Howie, Combe; Smith, Johnstone, Reilly, Turnbull, Ormond.
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.