Jocky Scott - Dundee legend, local hero and second top scorer of all time for the dees, yet still football shows a reluctance to gain from this mans immense wealth of football knowledge. At this moment in time Jocky is seeing out his contract at recently relegated premiership side Sunderland. The `black cats` have newly appointed Mick McCarthy as manager and who knows what the future holds for this man - who to this day, still holds the record number of goals scored against our rivals `yenited`. In fact he topped the clubs goalscoring charts a total of 4 times between 1969 and 1975.
Born in Aberdeen, surprisingly it was English club Chelsea that first spotted his prowess in front of goal and duly took him down to `the bridge` whilst still a schoolboy. The great Shankly recieved a phone call alerting him of the youngster being somewhat homesick and he was welcomed into the arms of Dens Park and Dundee Football Club.
It was during a public trial match at Dens between the `Blues` and `Whites` (a common pre-season practise in those days) that he impressed the great man and soon he was chapping on the first team door.
Jocky made his first team debut on 26th Aug 1964 in a 6-0 thrashing of Motherwell, but if that was a blase of glory then 3 games later he fair scorched the heather with a brace in his first derby game in the emphatic 4-1 win over United at Tannadice. He was to finish his first season with a very respectable 6 goals from only 10 starts.
As a player he reached the semi-finals of the Fairs Cup (later changed to Uefa Cup) as part of a Dundee team who could only finish 30 points and eight places behind champions Celtic, but who along the way had accounted for formidable european opposition in the shape of FC Zurich & Royal Liege. He also played in the 1973 league cup winning side in a 1-0 win over Celtic in severe artic-like conditions, with the country at a standstill due to the coal miners strike only 27,974 people made it through to watch Jockys close friend Gordon Wallace score the only goal of a game which really should never have been played.
Jocky left Dundee for Aberdeen in 1977 but he was to return again as a player a couple of season later. Willie Wallaces departure to Australia in 1980 opened the way for Jocky onto the coaching staff at Dens. Very soon he was appointed first team coach under then boss Donald McKay, but was dealt a blow when McKay left and the job was handed to Archie Knox (who kept Jocky as his #2) Ironically Knox left to join Ferguson at Aberdeen, a few years later Jocky himself would make the same journey up north to help Alec Smith. After a somewhat nomadic existence, stopping of at Dunfermline,Dundee United,Hibs and Arbroath
the Marrs offered Jocky the job of finishing what McCormack had started (but honestly didnt look like he could finish) Jocky took the Dees up from the dreaded first division and established the club in a very healthy 5th posistion before he was replaced controversley by the unknown Bonnetti brothers. The whole affair was handled babdly and in turn allowed the media to turn the club into a circus.
Jocky made one appearance for his country against Russia, away from home in front of a 20,000 crowd in the Lennin Stadium in Moscow which ended in a 1-0 defeat. It remains a mystery why he was never capped again.
I had arranged with Jockys son Jason to set up a question and answers session and was delighted when he agreed. Some of the regulars from the chat room on a Thursday night and myself compiled the following list of questions.
You`re currently working as a coach with Sunderland at the moment, were you disappointed that no scottish clubs approached you?
JS > I was dissapointed but not really surprised.
Are you involved with the first team players?
JS > Yes I do work with the first team players but not on a regular basis
Any Sunderland youngster that would benefit from being on loan to Dundee?
JS > Yes we have a couple of young players who would benefit from a loan to play in Dundees first team.
How big a difference is there down south set up wise compared to a provincial club like Dundee ?
JS > There is a huge gap between the set up of premiership clubs and Scottish teams outwith the old firm.
All Premiership clubs have their own training grounds, a minimum fan base of 20,000, big stadiums - some of which are new and they also get plenty money from the Sky tv deal.
Would you like to manage another scottish club in the future or is coaching the way ahead for you?
JS >Yes if the offer and club was right , however I am enjoying the opportunity to coach the younger players without the pressures of getting results.
What was the proper story re; Dave Whites fall out with certain players visiting Mr.McLean after the 73 cup win?
JS > After the evening recpetion for winning the league cup at the Angus Hotel (now the site of the new Overgate) a number of players myself included went down to visit Jim McLean, whom we thought during his spell as assistant at Dens was influential in the way we played as a team, so we visited him as a thank you.
I will not name the other players but a clue is that any player transferred or released from Dundee FC between Nov 73 and Dec 75 its a good bet they were there.
Who was the most skillful player you played alongside in a Dundee strip?
JS > Again too many good players especially as I played with most of the players who won the division one championship in 1961-62, but the player who I thought helped compliment my own game the most was Gordon Wallace who was very much underrated by a lot of the home fans.
Best Scottish player you have played alongside?
JS > Very difficult because there were too many , however one I played with before he became famous when we both played for Scottish schoolboys was Eddie Gray.
Why is Gordon Wallace called stubby ?
JS > Because of his love of cream cakes
When you were in the states did you play with or against Pele?
JS > I had the good fortune to play against Pele three times whilst I was with Seattle Sounders and he was with the New York Cosmos in the late 70s
What would you describe as the best moment of your playing career & your managerial career?
JS > The best moment in my playing career was to be capped by Scotland in 1970 and best moment as a manager would be any victory over Dundee United.
Best goal personally you`ve ever scored?
JS > Every goal ! Especially the goals against Dundee United, of which there were a few.
Best goal youve ever seen?
JS > Probably Charlie Nicholas for Aberdeen Versus Celtic in 1990. Volley from Theo Snelders kick out.
Who would you rate as YOUR best signing for Dundee?
JS > Tommy Coyne (1st time round) and also Keith Wright
As Dundee manager if you could change history which player would you not have signed?
JS > Tommy Coyne (2nd time round)
Was it you or Peter Marr that signed Hugo Prest?
JS >Peter Marr with the help of Steve Archibald , brought in Luna, Artero, Prest, Elliot Coyne & a spanish centre half without my prior knowledge.
What did the fan say to you when you gave him the V sign during the Rangers game?
JS > Probably something derogatory.
Do you still visit Dens or lookout for the Dundee score?
JS > I`ve been back at Dens about six times since being sacked doing either TV or radio. I always look out for the scores of all my previous clubs.
How many goals did you score for Dundee (combined total)
JS > In all games including friendlies at least 200
What are the best and worst grounds you`ve played on in Scotland?
JS > Best ground would be Pittodrie and worst ground would be Cliftonville (Albion Rovers FC ground)
Where you ever sent off playing for Dundee ? if so what for ?
JS > Unfortunately I was sent off twice, both for retaliation.
Have you ever missed a penalty?
JS > Yes twice. A cup game versus Hearts at Tynecastle and a league cup game versus Morton at Dens.
Did you ever have an afro-perm ala Billy Pirie style ?
JS > Yes when I played for Aberdeen.
Would you fancy your chances of scoring 20 goals a season nowadays in the SPL when you were at your peak?
JS > I always fancied myself to score 20 goals every season!
Transfer windows ? success or flop ?
JS > On first impressions I dont think its a good thing , however time will tell.
<<< A youthful Gordon Wallace signs for Dundee
Jocky even got the man to sign this picture, not many people can boast they skinned Pele ;¬)
Thanks go to Jason Scott for providing all these personal photographs for this article.
Left ; The evidence is there for all to see
Right ; Another goal for "The Black Pirate"
The Dee-Licious website would like to thank JOCKY SCOTT for talking to us, and also his son JAYSON SCOTT for taking the time out to arrange this interview and also for providing the personal photographs from his fathers private collection - Cheers Jake ;¬)
Click here to load the radio commentry of Jockys reaction to the news his contract was not to be re-newed
Jocky seen here scoring in the 3-2 league cup second round victory over Dunfermline in season 73/74foto by DC Thomson
Since compiling this article, Sunderland reserves have won the league championship. This is turn has led to Jocky being offered a new contract at the club. CONGRATULATIONS JOCKY , you deserve it.
