Dundee-born DJ Jim Gellatly has revealed a series of never-before-seen pictures of Pele’s famous visit to Dens Park.
The Brazilian genius – who died last year – delivered a football masterclass in the City of Discovery on June 9, 1989, as part of his ambassador duties for Fifa ahead of the Under-16 World Cup.
The three-time World Cup winner conducted a private coaching session with pupils from Blairgowrie’s Hill Primary School alongside then Scotland boss Andy Roxburgh before meeting the Dark Blues hierarchy.
Family ties
Jim’s father Ian was Dee chairman in the 1970s and was still a member of the board when Pelé came to town.
The Dark Blues fan and dad-of-three was as surprised as anyone when his son stumbled across the images in a photo album earlier this week.
He said: “My son is just starting to get into football and happened to be going through old photo albums at my mum’s when he came across the pictures.
“I had just totally forgotten that they existed.”
Jim, in school when the visit took place, says a memento from Pele’s Dens appearance takes pride of place in his home.
The Amazing Radio DJ – who helped launch the careers of Biffy Clyro, The Fratellis, The View and Amy Macdonald – said: “I can remember my dad giving me the signed business card [which Pele is signing in one of the pictures].
“I currently have it framed in the living room but after finding the photos I’ve ordered prints so I can frame them together.”
‘Synonymous with Dundee FC’
Jim posted the picture of Pele and his dad Ian, who passed away in 2000 aged 61, on Twitter on Thursday.
He wrote: “There’s that story of Diego Maradona nearly playing for Dundee FC…but came across a photo of my late Dad with Pele in the boardroom at Dens Park – ‘Here son, just sign this’.”
Broadcaster and Courier columnist Jim Spence replied: “Great picture Jim. Growing up the Gellatly name was synonymous with the Dee.”
Dee fan Anthony Marshall added: “My grandad was there that day too and we still have the DFC headed notepaper with Pele’s signature on it.
“So that’s both George Best and Pele that my grandad has met at Dens – not jealous at all of course lol.”
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