The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Rare Dundee Utd medal could score a bundle
Patsy Deuchar’s gold gong from 1928-29 league and cup double success going under the hammer
A medal marking some of the early successes of Dundee United is to go under the hammer.
The 9ct gold medallion was awarded after the club won both the Second Division title and the Forfarshire Cup in the 1928-29 season.
It was presented to William “Patsy” Deuchar, who had joined United that season from Raith Rovers.
United won the Forfarshire Cup after beating Forfar Athletic 2-1 at Dens Park. They took the division championship after winning 24 of their 36 games.
But the following season United were relegated after winning just seven games and in April 1930 Deuchar was released.
The front of the medal bears the club name and features Dundee city’s motto Dei Donum (Gift of God) and an enamel shield in the club’s then-colours of black and white. Experts have valued the medal at around £400 but believe the right bidder could push it higher.
Nick Burns, of Lindsay Burns auctioneers in Perth, said: “I haven’t seen one of these before. You have the rarity value, but also the price of gold has risen quite a lot recently so, although we’ve valued it at between £200 and £400, we think it might go for a lot more.
“There’s also the collectability value and, with it being from a local Tayside team, I expect there to be to be quite a lot of interest.”
Born in Perth in 1903, William Deuchar joined United from Raith Rovers in 1928. He made 60 appearances and scored one goal. He then went on to play for Forfar and St Johnstone.
The medal will be sold at Lindsay Burns auctioneers in Perth on September 4.
It is being offered with a picture of Deuchar, a picture of the 1928-29 squad and a souvenir programme from the 1929-30 season.
Also included in the sale are some of Deuchar’s other footballing medals, including a Perth City Boys’ Football Association medal from 1921-22 and some of his snooker medals.