Lanarkshire News - Dalzell FC Presentation night
Dalzell Flying Club held their resurrected annual prize presentation in the Motherwell Miners on Friday 3rd February after a three year break due to Covid. The event was very well attended with patrons coming from as far afield as Dumfries and Linlithgow plus a sizeable local contingent. Our guests for the Quiz Panel were Willie Donachie, Dundee, Barclay McCrindle, Shotts, Peter Keogh, Broxburn and Walter Boswell, Hamilton with a combined experience of over 200 years in pigeon racing.
Dalziel Club members
Our 2022 season star performer was once again Willie McDonald with 13 trophies including the Old Bird Average and leading the field in the longest race from Eastbourne (12th & 45th Open). Indeed, Willie has won the O.B. Average six out of the last seven years and in spite of his phenomenal success remains modest, unassuming and affable.
Next to the Trophy table was another member who had a great season, race Secretary and Vice President Joe Boyle won seven trophies and eight races including amazingly every Y.B. race! Joe also plays a prominent part in all the Club's activities including race sponsorship.
Joe Boyle(L) with guest Barclay McCrindle jnr
Robert Girdwood collected three trophies with pride of place being the Tramontana Ace Old Bird Trophy with a cracking Blue Cock.
Robert Girwood with Peter Keogh
John Graham, who specialises more in distance racing, was presented with two trophies for his performance in Billericay which he won with his nominated pigeon. On a sad note the bird was later killed by a hawk locally.
John Graham(L) with Walter Boswell
The ever consistent Jim Cassidy picked up two trophies for winning the Combined Average over nineteen races (some of which were very difficult).
Jim Cassidy (L) with Wullie Donachie
Scott Barron was awarded the Novice Trophy subsequently losing his novice status by winning Worksop and also continued his lucky run in our weekly raffle.
Scott Barron with Barclay McCrindle jnr
John King, Elder Statesman and still the most successful living fancier in Dalzell Flying Club won the John Fleming Memorial Shield for 1st Thirsk O.B., while Dean McGregor picked up the Yearling Average Cup.
Dean McGregor with Peter Keogh
Allan Selfridge & Son, whose season was blighted by the mysterious virus circulating in Lanarkshire, collected the Tramontana Show Trophy for best in the Club Show and added Best Opposite Sex for good measure, with David Penman ( who hasn't kept the best of health in recent years) still managing to win the J. McInally Memorial Shield for runner up O.B. Average.
Our panel were informative and entertaining with Willie Donachie specialising in One Loft racing both in the UK and abroad, Barclay McCrindle shaking up Lanarkshire Federation with spectacular results, Peter Keogh still an adherent to long distance racing at the very top and Walter Boswell owner of Four Silver Awards with the SNFC.
Wullie McFarlane with Walter Boswell
On the question of who was the best fancier they had met , Willie Donachie replied that he had met so many top fanciers in the various disciplines that he wouldn't like to pick out one name. Barclay McCrindle felt that every member who contributed to the Club would get his vote with Peter Keogh nominating the legendary Robert Cormack (who was present) and Walter Boswell opting for Jim Hannah.
Special thanks to the panel plus Jim Latimer, Harry Brown, Dean Mcgregor and Joe Boyle for their work on the evening. The photos are courtesy of Jim Hannah who has been unfailingly helpful to Dalzell Flying Club.
Douglas Telfer
President.
Thanks to Douglas for forwarding this information to Lanarkshire news.
Tom Corrie jnr
Lanarkshire Press Officer
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