Thursday 30 April 2009

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

47 years ago, yesterday, everybody in town was reading about Dundee being Scottish League Champions. Here is Hugh Robertson indulging in The Sunday Post dated 29th April 1962, catching up with the previous days events at Muirton and celebrations in the City Centre.
Photo by DC Thomson.

Wednesday 29 April 2009

DOUG COWIE FOOTBALL CARD

A rare old football card going back to 1960 featuring Dundee legend, Doug Cowie. DC was still playing in the Dundee team at that time, which is quite amazing when you think that he actually started playing for DFC in 1945. He managed to keep it going until the following year, 1961, when he eventually called it a day at Dens. Needless to say his legend status has been helped by him becoming the Clubs longest serving player. As a reminder, Doug also has the "Cowie Lounge" named after him at Dens Park.
The Dundee FC website has recently put him into their "Hall of Fame" too, so if you want to read about his lengthy career in more detail, here is the link - http://www.dundeefc.co.uk/news_detail.asp?ID=2684

Monday 27 April 2009

DFC POLICE BADGE

I've noticed some of the DFC graphics I've put up on the Shrine are cropping up on Ebay now in various formats. Badges, mugs and so on.....delighted to see you put the items to good use and help spread the word..!!
And talking about words, here's another idea somebody somewhere may be able to do something with. The ready made words that fit perfectly are taken from that 80's pop classic by the Police - "Every breath you take".
I'm sure somebody like Bob Brady would even be able to do a full parody of the song with a few tweaks here & there to the lyrics. A wee idea for the suggestion box anyway!

Sunday 26 April 2009

BOBBY FORD - 1971 / 1978

Midfielder Bobby Ford didn't score for the Dee very often, usually 2 or 3 goals per season. However, he can boast that he did score the very first goal in the SPL when it became the 10 team format in 1975. I was at that match actually, and nearly missed it. I just managed to reach my Derry position in time to catch Bobby put one past the Aberdeen keeper in about the first 2 minutes of kick-off in the league's opening game.
In his 7 years at Dens, he played a total of 243 matches, one of the most memorable ones being the Scottish League Cup final in which he collected a winners medal.
The above photo was taken around 1974, although what he was doing up in the highland's in his clunk-click strip, I'm not sure!

Saturday 25 April 2009

BONNIE SHIRT - MESSY RESULTS

This away jersey is from the 2004-05 season. Not Dundee's true colours but still pretty smart. Unfortunately, the classy design wasn't matched by classy play, and down to Div 1 we went at the end of the season!

Friday 24 April 2009

RARE DEE TOP - 2006

Not many of these Dundee shirts to be found. Only a specific quantity were made exclusively for the DFC youth team to wear in 2006 when Dee4Life were sponsors.
Big thanks to GK.

Thursday 23 April 2009

DEE TOP FOR NEW MILLENNIUM

This was the shirt design Dundee wore during the 1999-2000 season. The jersey in the photo actually belonged to Dee player Gavin Beith. Dundee born Gavin was with the club for around 4 or 5 years but didn't really break through into the full team. In fact, it appears he seems to have only played a couple of games for the club. He was competing with the likes of Nemsadze, Khizanishvili & Smith for position so it was tough to get in the team. He was in the squad who was taken through to Hampden in the 2003 Scottish Cup Final, but again, didn't play.
The year 2000 saw the Dark Blues finish 7th in the SPL.

Wednesday 22 April 2009

BOBBY SEITH - PLAYER & COACH - 1960/66

As a player, Bobby Seith was with Dundee for a total of 197 games, from 1960 to 65. This period, of course, consisted of some of the most famous moments in the club's history, in which Bobby Seith played a major role. Highlights would be, being Scottish Champions in 62 and reaching the European Cup semi's in 63.
Although he hung up his boots in 1965, he stayed on to be Dundee coach, when the above photo was taken, and he remained there until November 1966.

Tuesday 21 April 2009

DUNDEE v ARSENAL - 1962 TEAMS

Following on from the previous post, here's the teams listed in the Arsenal programme.
Dundee scorers in the 2-2 draw were Cousin & Gilzean.

Monday 20 April 2009

DUNDEE v ARSENAL - 1962

Dundee were knocked out of the Scottish Cup in the 1st round during the 1961/62 season. This meant they had a couple of spare days in their calendar. To fill them, they arranged two friendlies with Arsenal, one away and one at home.
The programme above is from the first game at Highbury on 17th Feb 1962 - score 2-2.
The return match at Dens on the 10th of March was a 1-0 victory to the Gunners.
The games didn't have much of an impact on Dundee's season though as we went on to become Scottish Champions that year!!
Ian Ure, who played against Arsenal, ended up playing for the London club the following year.

Saturday 18 April 2009

AT HOME WITH THOMSON ALLAN

So, just what do our football heroes get up to in the privacy of their own home?
Well as you can see, sod all! They just sit around on their arse all day watching telly. Even when it's total garbage on the box, they would rather endure the rubbish than get up off their backside to switch it off!!
Anyway, joking aside, this picture of Thomson Allan was taken in 1972. This was the year that he took over goal from Mike Hewitt, and he remained the Dees first choice Keeper till 1976, although he was actually at the club up to 1979.

Thursday 16 April 2009

DFC FANZINE #4 - EH MIND O SOLVENCY

Following on from "Eh mind o Gillie" is this more recent fanzine, which cropped up on the scene after Dundee went into administration (hence the title) and was published to help raise funds for Dee4Life.
A good chunk of the content features the lyrics from the "Jumping the Queue" CD which are printed along with illustrations to them throughout the mag. In fact this issue caused a bit of a stooshie and made the local press as some authoritative figures got their adult knickers in a twist over some of the schoolboy humour.!
Needless to say, it sold out. Mission accomplished!!

Wednesday 15 April 2009

DFC FANZINE #3 - EH MIND O GILLIE

For those who don't speak the Dundee lingo, the title "Eh Mind O Gillie" translates as "I remember Alan Gilzean".
In this issue from Feb 1995 the emphasis is on laughs. Chock-a-block with witty banter, amusing observations and good gags, with the occasional poem thrown in!

Tuesday 14 April 2009

DFC FANZINE #2 - IT'S HALF PAST FOUR... AND WE'RE 2-0 DOWN

This Dundee fanzine had been on the go for a year by the time this issue above, dated Easter 1990, came out.
Contents include concern over the Dee's relegation battle, reviews of other fanzines, amusing pieces on Ross Jack, Vince Mennie & Albert Craig, an interview with ex Dee Terry Christie, match reports, music, letters and the usual bundle of funny articles & gags squeezed in.
This particular issue also includes the first "Hall of Fame" poster, namely, Billy Dodds, who was top scorer that season.
The cover depicts the return of Jim Duffy to the team after having been away at Falkirk for a while.

Monday 13 April 2009

DFC FANZINE #1 - DERRY RUMBA

Along with your colours, the other essential a football supporter needs to carry around with them is a sense of humour, especially when your team isn't doin' the biz on the pitch!!
D.I.Y. fanzines are a great way for fans to display their humour, as well as chuck in the occasional serious point now and then. In the main though, having a laugh was usually the name of the game, whether it be satirical write-ups, amusing opinions, cartoons, or of course, just putting the boot into your rivals!
This one above, Derry Rumba, is dated Feb/Mar 1989, and features Dundee's short-lived manager, Dave "Coco" Smith on the cover.
In addition to the funny stuff available inside, there is also Derry Rumba merchandise on offer, with badges & T-shirts on sale.

Thursday 9 April 2009

MISSING GOAL - FOUND

I'm sure all Dee fans will have bought the DFC "Official History" dvd by now and have given it pride of place in your collection.
On it there is a match featuring highlight footage of Dundee winning 4-1 against United at Tannadice played on 12th September 1964. The coverage starts with Dundee's 2nd goal, by Waddell, followed by 2 Jocky Scott goals. Missing is the Dundee opener, a fantastic lob by Alan Cousin. The above photo showing the moment the ball finds the back of the net.
Well, I have found that lost goal, and here it is below for you to see what you've missed.
Worth the wait, I'm sure you'll agree!!


Wednesday 8 April 2009

KEEP SOLDIERING ON

When the going gets tough!!!!
If anyone can do something creative with this graphic, feel free to use it.

Monday 6 April 2009

JIMMY JOHNSTONE - 1977

I remember one evening, drinking down at the Tay Centre, in walked Tommy Gemmell with this wee chap by his side. After the whole pub did a double-take, we all realised it was Jimmy Johnstone. They had just got off the train and Dundee manager, Tommy Gemmell, was about to sign him. That was in the summer of 1977. Rubbing shoulders with the Scottish legends down in our local was pretty neat!
Unfortunately, Jimmy was nearing the end of his career and as a result only played in a couple of games for the Dee. He is responsible, however, for me going up to the reserve matches at Dens that summer, specifically just to see Jinky in action!

Saturday 4 April 2009

ISLE OF MAN - INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL FESTIVAL - 1987

Dundee FC took part in this football festival in the Isle of Man, held on 26th July to 1st Aug 1987.
The teams involved were - Isle of Man - Wigan - Oldham - Dundee - Galway Utd - Bury & Stoke.
Dundee were in Group B, and the scoring went as follows -
Dundee 1 v 0 Oldham Ath
Dundee 0 v 0 Bury
Dundee 11 v 0 Galway Utd
Being winners of Group B, Dundee went on to meet the winners of Group A, Stoke City, in the final.
The Potters won 1-0, the game was played at The Bowl in Douglas.


Thursday 2 April 2009

JOHN PRENTICE WITH PLAYERS

Here's manager John Prentice during a training session at Dens in 1969.
George Stewart in the foreground having a bit of a laugh and Dave Johnston sitting forward.
Not too sure who the others are, possibly fringe players that didn't make the first team.


Wednesday 1 April 2009

JOHN PRENTICE - MANAGER 1968-71

John Prentice became Dundee FC manager in September 1968, a stint that lasted up to the end of 1971. During his time as boss Dundee finished 9th in the League in 1969 - 6th in 1970 and 5th in 1971. Despite the Dee's progress while he was manager, which also included a UEFA Cup run against the likes of Cologne and AC Milan, Prentice became disillusioned with football and retired after a total of 144 games in charge.
One match I remember being at while he was boss was a local derby at Dens. The score - Dundee 6 v 4 Dundee Utd. That was some game, and it was also on Sportscene that Saturday night too! Wouldn't mind watching that encounter again.
The above photo was taken in 1970.