THE family of a Scottish ice hockey hero are appealing for the return of his jersey which went missing from a pub ten years ago – in time for his funeral on Friday.
Joe Guilcher, who was member of the Dundee Rockets squad which dominated British ice hockey in the 1980s, loaned his top to a local pub in 2000, to display as memorabilia.
But when the pub closed in 2006, Joe returned to collect it, and found that it had been taken – its whereabouts has been a mystery ever since.
Joe enjoyed an incredible 18 year career with the Rockets from 1968 to 1986, and won a famous ‘grand slam’ of three trophies, including the British league, in 82/83.
With the squad not having the funds for multiple jerseys, he wore the same kit for his entire career – and his family now want to lay him to rest in it.
Joe died of cancer last week aged 69, and with his funeral is planned for Friday, his step-daughter Rhonda McKay has launched an appeal for the return of the strip.
She said: “Joe had loaned the shirt to the Marr family when they ran the All Stars pub in Dundee, in 2000 or 2001.
“They closed up in 2006 and sent out a letter to everyone who had given them memorabilia to come and collect it.
“Joe went down straight away he was pumped, but his shirt t wasn’t there – it was missing, along with the frame it was in.”
She added: “It has definitely been taken, everything else was still there, but nobody is in trouble, we just want it back. There will be no questions asked – the person who has it now may have had it passed on by someone else.
“We’d always planned to look for the shirt, but Joe was ill with a long illness, we had to concentrate on getting him better first.”
The top in question is a blue number 11 Dundee Rockets jersey.
Letters displaying “New York” are emblazoned from the right shoulder to left hip, but this is modified, and covered with a “Rockets” slogan.
It was in a blue frame when it went missing.
Anyone with information should contact rhonda.mckay@sky.com.
