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Thousands pay tribute to Alex Kiddie, Dundee teacher and football great

Alex Kiddie at Pittodrie beside a displaying marking Aberdeen's 1946 cup triumph. Aberdeen. S
Alex Kiddie at Pittodrie beside a displaying marking Aberdeen's 1946 cup triumph. Aberdeen. S

The funeral of Dundee-born footballer Alex Kiddie has taken place at St Leonard and St Fergus RC Church, Dundee.

While only 20 people were allowed to attend under current restrictions, hundreds of thousands of people have reacted to the death of the Aberdeen FC great, Mr Kiddie’s son, Paul, said.

Hundreds of former pupils and colleagues from Lawside Academy and St John’s High School, where Mr Kiddie taught in later life, have sent personal messages, recalling the influence he had on many young lives..

Alex and Paul Kiddie.

Alex Kiddie gained the distinction of remaining an amateur throughout his career to allow him to continue studying maths and physics at St Andrews University.

He was signed by Aberdeen in 1945. When the Pittodrie side beat Rangers to win the Southern League Cup before a Hampden crowd of 130,00 in 1946, Mr Kiddie did not receive a penny because of his amateur status.

Instead, he was presented with an engraved watch by the club’s management. Mr Kiddie was believed to have been the only surviving member of that cup-winning team.

That watch still keeps great time, said Paul, and he is considering having it framed in his father’s memory.

Alex Kiddie with the watch presented after Aberdeen’s cup win of 1946.

Mr Kiddie later had spells with Falkirk, Celtic, Dundee, Brechin and Montrose.

He spent his entire 93 years living in Dundee, said Paul.

Mr Kiddie graduated BSc in maths and physics during his playing career and then went on to teach at Lawside Academy, Dundee, before becoming head of the maths department at St John’s High School in Dundee.

Paul Kiddie said hundreds of former pupils and colleagues from his father’s time in education have been in touch with him with messages of his inspiring and respectful teaching.

In addition, there have been 180,000 interactions to three of Paul’s tweets about his father.

Alex Kiddie was born in Dundee and educated at St Patrick’s Primary School, Dundee, and then Lawside Academy before studying at St Andrew’s University. He completed his degree at the university’s Dundee campus, while playing football at the highest level.

Mr Kiddie and his wife Norma.

He scored two goals in the 1946 Southern League Cup semi-final replay against Airdrie, which finished 5-3 to Aberdeen. He then played a starring role in the 3-2 victory against Rangers in the final that year. Paul said he provided the cross for Aberdeen’s dramatic late winner scored by George Taylor.

Mr Kiddie’s other sporting love was golf and he was a member at Blairgowrie and Downfield.

He was a regular worshipper at the Friary, Tullideph Road, and then St Leonard and St Fergus Church.

Communion

Paul said his father played an active role in the life of the church and the community. He was eucharist minister which involves taking communion to the housebound. He was a very active volunteer behind the scenes.

Mr Kiddie was friends with former Dundee FC player Gerry Fallon and used to take him to mass in later life.

The family’s announcement can be read here.