JOCKY JOY AT DENS

Here's hoping the new Jocky era can bring the passion back to Dens!!

DEES AT THE SAN SIRO #2 - 1971

This was the 2nd time Dundee had played AC Milan at the San Siro, the first encounter being the semi-final of the European Cup back in 1963, in front of 78,000.
Not such a large turn-out for this UEFA Cup tie played on 24th November 1971, and although we lost the game 3-0, we did go on to beat the Italians 2-0 at Dens 2 weeks later.
The above photo shows the moment when captain Gianni Rivera thumps in their first goal. That's big Jim Steele #4, Dave (Biffo) Johnston #3, George Stewart in-between and I think that could be Ian Scott nearest to 1970 World Cup star, Rivera. Furthest away in the distance is Gordon Wallace... he always had his sleeves rolled up!

DEES AT THE SAN SIRO #1 - 1971

The date was 24th November 1971 and it was the 1st leg (round 3) of the UEFA Cup tie against AC Milan at their San Siro Stadium. Although we were beaten here 3-0 on the night, we did win 2-0 in the 2nd leg at Dens a fortnight later, which I remember being at.
The picture above shows Bobby Wilson in the air, with Ian Phillip looking on and that's Jocky Scott in the distance. The photo captures the build up to Milans 1st goal. Prati heading the ball into the path of captain Rivera, in the armband, who then goes on to thump it home.

THE ESSO TINFOIL DFC BADGE - 1970

These tinfoil badges were given away free at garages when drivers purchased ESSO petrol back in 1970. The DFC badge was just one of a series of Scottish & English crests in the collection, and there was also a gatefold folder that went with them to keep the full set in.
This particular round "red crest" was used on Dundee's strip from 1970 to 73. I remember you could also buy a cloth version of this badge from sports shops which you peeled the back off of and stuck onto the replica shirt. However, after a few washes the badge lost it's stick and fell off, so they usually just ended up on scarves and school bags.

2 VIEWS OF A GRADY GOAL

The above picture of James Grady celebrating his goal, was taken on 6th May 2000 in a game at Dens against United. The Dees won 3-0, Falconer getting the other 2.
Below are 2 clips of the Grady goal viewed from opposite angles. The first is from the main Stand enclosure, and the second from the Derry gantry. It's a really good team goal, the move starting way back at the corner flag in our own half.
Photo by DC Thomson.

DFC AT EASTER ROAD - 1963

An atmospheric evening shot from Easter Road, taken on 18th September 1963. This game against Hibs was the 2nd leg of the Scottish League Cup Quarter final, which we lost 2-0. The week before in the 1st leg at Dens we drew 3-3, so it was a full house in Edinburgh to see who would go through. We did fair a bit better in the Scottish Cup that season, reaching the final, but losing out to Rangers in front of 120,000 at Hampden.
The 2 main Dee players in the picture are, Stuart #6, with Ryden leaping up beside him.
Photo by The Scotsman.Tints by GG.

DENS PARK - 1952

This aerial shot of Dens was taken in 1952. The only cover available at this time was still just at the main stand. 1952 saw us finish mid table and our average gate for the season was 20,500....but of course we did lift the Scottish League Cup that year.

DFC POP VIDEO APPEARANCE

Well no need to get too carried away with this bit of Dee trivia, because it's a "blink and you'll miss it" feature, however, my eagle eye spotted this picture of the Dundee team (circa 1959-60) flash past in the video in a split second. The promo video is by UK's best indie band and John Peel favourite,The Fall, for the single "Kicker conspiracy" made in the early 80's. The photo crops up during a black & white archive sequence in the middle of the track. The vid itself was filmed at Burnley's Turf Moor ground.
Keeping the football / music theme going, Dundee player, Alex Hamilton, in the above photo, top left, released a pop record 20 years earlier under the name Hammy & The Hamsters. I bet Peelie never had that one in his collection..!!

DEEWOK - TIME FOR CONTEMPLATION

Here's Deewok pondering on who the next manager is going to be while keeping his seat warm for him!

ORIGINAL GILZEAN LETTER - 1964

My brother managed to get Alan Gilzean's autograph just a few months before he was transferred to Spurs. Gillie sent this photo (which he autographed on the back), along with this wee letter. Dated 9 June 1964 it reads - "Sorry to have taken so long to answer your letter, unfortunately I have fallen behind with my fan mail - thus the delay. Enclosed is an autographed photo & trust you will support Dundee in the future."
Aye...still supporting them!

ALAN GILZEAN - TOP GOAL SCORER

What a goal machine oor Gillie was. I think he tops just about every goals record Dundee has. Here's the lowdown on his statistics:
TOP OVERALL SCORER - 169 goals in 190 games.
TOP SCORER IN 1 SEASON - 52 goals in 1963/64.
TOP EUROPEAN SCORER - 9 goals.
TOP SCORER IN 1 GAME - 7 goals against Q.O.S. in 1962.
TOP SUCCESSIVE SCORER - 7 goals in 7 consecutive games.
TOP HAT-TRICK SCORER - 17 hat-tricks.
Amazing...I'd like to see someone TOP THAT..!!

DFC NAME DROPPING

Just some of the players who have lent their names to the cause.
Click on the image to enlarge, and feel free to download the graphic to do your own thing with.

INSIDE THE DUNDEE BOARDROOM

Alongside all the trophies on display in the Dens boardroom is a sizeable collection of rare, historic souvenirs showing the history of the Club.
Here below is a wee look around some of the memorabilia in the room.
They also do a rather nice fruit salad....

THE BIG SHIRT

Despite it's size, you might not notice it at first, but if you look where the N should be, the big shirt is out on display.
Click on the image to enlarge.

ALEX HAMILTON FOOTBALL CARD - 1963

Here's Dundee's Alex Hamilton making an appearance on a 45 year old football card given away as part of Tiger comic's "Star Footballers of 1963" set. The right-back is certainly worthy of the futba card treatment as he was with Dundee from 1957 to 1968, making a total of 359 appearances for the club, and as well as the impressive facts on the back of the card, Hammy is also the Dee's top Scottish Internationlist, having achieved 24 full caps.

DFC IN PERUGIA - 15 OCT 2003

5 years ago today, Dundee last stepped out on foreign territory to play in a European match. It was 15th October 2003 when Dundee met Perugia in the 2nd leg of the UEFA Cup in what was to be the teams final Euro flurry. Let's hope it's not too long before we're back doing battle abroad.
Here below is a reminder of the Dee coming out onto the the pitch at Perugia's Renato Curi Stadium. The commentary is in Italian.
Thanks to RMK for the footage.

BIFFO THE BEAR CHANT - 1970'S

The dictionary defines the word "Biff" as - "to hit something very hard", and that's exactly how Dundee fullback, Dave Johnston, got his nickname, because he had one hell of a shot on him. Despite the fact he was a defender, he would often go off on his overlapping runs down the wing and have a crack at goal. Infact, in the 1971/72 season, he thundered in 6 goals, which is pretty good going for a left-back.
Biff morphed into his nickname,Biffo, which in turn became the chant "Biffo The Bear", after the well known Beano comic star.
His "personalised" chant began when a kids pop record by Jackie Lee called "Rupert the Bear" hit the charts in 1971, and as you will find out on the karaoke video below, the song couldn't be simpler.

DFC OFF TO BRUSSELS - 1963

Here's the Dundee team jetting off to Brussels on 4th March 1963, to play their European Cup Quarter Final tie against Anderlecht. The game, played on the 6th, ended in a fantastic 4-1 victory for the Dees at the Heysel Stadium in front of 64,000.
Photo by The Scotsman.

DUNDEE FANS IN PERUGIA - 2003

5 years ago this month, around 2,000 Dee supporters made the trip to Italy to follow Dundee's progress in the UEFA Cup against Perugia. Things didn't work out so well as we were beaten 1-0, but despite the defeat, the fans managed to enjoy the experience of being with the team on foreign soil.
The supporters even made the news, as you can see on the clip below.

DUNDEE'S PENGUIN STRIP - 1972

In the days before shirt sponsors, when jerseys were just mono coloured (apart from the collars & cuffs), this was the first design to break away from the traditional single coloured top. When it appeared in the 1972/73 season, the novelty of it earned it the nickname of the "penguin strip", because of the white flash under the length of the arm and torso.
I always thought it was dead smart though, so much so that I bought a replica and wore it all the time at P.E. in school. Sadly, I was wearing it one evening just mucking aboot and I ripped it on a wire fence and had to chuck it in the bin!
Here below is a bit of action from 73 with the Dee in their penguin strip playing Ayr Utd, who are wearing the same design but in reverse.

PAT LINEY TO THE RESCUE

This moody shot was taken during a cold & frosty game at Ibrox on 9th Feb 1960. It ended 0-0. Here, Dundee keeper, Pat Liney, makes sure the Dee leave Glasgow with a clean sheet. Rangers and Dundee finished the season 3 & 4th respectively, both on 42 points.
Photo by The Scotsman.Tints by GG.

5 YEARS OF DEE4LIFE

It all started with "Blue Nose Day" and passing the buckets around Dens Park. 5 years later, Dee4Life fundraising has reached almost half a million pounds. Having also achieved a seat on the Dens board and a shareholding in the club, Dee4Life Trust have funded many projects over the years. Here below is a wee reminder of just one of them... and a big round of applause to everyone who has contributed to the cause.

JIM DUFFY IN PRIVATE EYE

Satirical magazine, Private Eye, run a column called Colemanballs. It contains examples of sentences that don't make any sense that have been used in the media, usually during a sports commentary, or in interviews. They are named after David Coleman who was always coming out with such gaffs in his commentaries.
Well here is the one when our own Jim Duffy made the sports hall of infamy, when he came out with this little ditty about Novo in 2003.

THOMSON ALLAN - 1974

It's not often goalies win awards, but here is Thomson Allan having just received the Player of the Year trophy for the 1973/74 season. Not only was he on top form for Dundee that season but he was also capped for Scotland and was in the Scottish squad that went to Germany for the 1974 World Cup.
The trophy was presented by the Dee Club.
Photo by DC Thomson.

2003 UEFA DRAW

The 29th August 2003 and Dundee are drawn out of the bowl to play Perugia in the UEFA Cup. The draw took place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Photo by Getty Images.

SPOT THE LOONEY CHANT - 1973

This chant was very popular at Dens in the 70's and always good for a laugh. A chorus of "Spot the looney" would be triggered when one of the opposition would do something stupid like miss a penalty, or when one of their supporters was seen being escorted out the ground by police. The song would also be accompanied by everyone pointing to the culprit.
The origin of the chant goes back to the 11th January 1973 when the "Spot the looney" comedy sketch was first broadcast on tv in the madcap series Monty Python's Flying Circus.
The tune used was a #1 pop hit by Chicory Tip called "Son of my father" which charted in 1972.
Here below is a clip of the original Python sketch along with a wee karaoke using the original tune.
Photo by The Scotsman.Tints by GG.

EUROPEAN PITCH INVASION - 1963

Defeated Anderlecht players leave the pitch as jubilant Dundee supporters invade it. This was the night of the European Cup Quarter Final, 2nd leg on 6th March 1963. Dundee winning 2-1 (6-2 aggregate), in front of a whopping 40,000 at Dens.
Photo by The Scotsman.Tints by GG.

TIME TEAM

Half a century of Dee players grouped together for the ultimate team photo!
Click on image to enlarge and download.

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS PROGRAMME - 1962

For all who collect Dundee FC programmes, this one is considered to be the most prized. It is of course from the day we became Scottish League Champions at Muirton Park against St Johnstone on 28th April 1962.
Probably difficult to find one for less than £100 these days.

DREAM TEAM

You'll all be familiar with the Surrealist art movement.
Well here's an example of the lesser known UREALIST art movement!

30,000 AT DENS - 1974

The last time there were over 30,000 at Dens Park was on 18th March 1974. It was a Scottish Cup Quarter Final replay against Hibs. Dees winning 3-0. I remember going in at the Sandeman Street turnstiles to go to my usual Derry enclosure spot. The crowd was so densely packed that I physically couldn't move any further than the Provie Road end, and so had to settle for watching the game behind the goal. Jocky Scott was on top form that night, but unfortunately, all 3 goals were scored at the TC Keay end..!! Some night though.
The photo above from the match shows Thomson Allan jumping for joy with all the action down at the other end of the park.
Photo by The Scotsman.Tints by GG.