THE DUNDEE FUTBA SHRINE

THE DFC TEAM BUS - 1932

2011-07-30T06:54:00.000-07:00

It's difficult to tell by the clothes they are wearing whether the squad is about to set off for an away match, or going away for a round of golf, but here are the DFC players posing beside the bus outside Dens in 1932.
Not a particularly thrilling year football wise, mid table finish and no trophies, but anyway, it's who's who time.
From left to right -
Tom Smith - Colin McNab - Jimmy Guthrie - Bill Marsh - Jock Gilmour - P.Jackson (Director) - Lew Morgan - Willie Blyth - Harry Smith - Jimmy Robertson - Alec Troup - J.Brown (Trainer).
Poking out the windows - Tom McCarthy - Andy Campbell - Peter Gavigan.
The bus itself looks almost like a modern day Hummer!

JOCKY SCOTT IN 1970

2011-06-16T13:23:00.000-07:00

"Ohhhhh Jocky Jocky - Jocky Jocky Jocky Jocky Jocky Scott."
This is Jocky Scott getting the pitch all to himself in 1970.
Still a bit young for his side-lappers to make an appearance, but by this time his many match appearances saw him well on the road to being our very own 70's superstar!

STEVE MURRAY - MIDFIELDER - 1960'S

2011-04-06T01:23:00.000-07:00

Steve Murray hooked up with Dundee at the start of the 1963/64 season.
First began playing as a right sided winger, but after a couple of years was placed in the right-half position and for the remainder of his time at the club, claimed the #4 shirt.
He managed to grab 21 goals, the majority of which were scored during his early years when playing up front.
He played a total of 240 full games for the Dee - 1963 to 1970.
The photo was taken at the tail end of the 60's.

JIMMY WILSON - 70'S WINGER

2011-03-11T06:53:00.000-08:00

What Dundee got when they signed Jimmy Wilson was, a busy wee winger - sometimes on the left and sometimes on the right.
This picture of him was taken when he first arrived at Dens in 1970.
He played a total of 123 full games for the club, right through to 1975.
The wee man also managed to bag a few goals along the way.

GEORGE STEWART - CENTRE HALF - 1964-76

2011-02-18T00:40:00.000-08:00

You can tell by the strip and his rather youthful looks, that this picture of George Stewart was taken in the mid 60's - very early on in his long career at Dens.
Although he joined the Dee in 1964, he didn't make his debut until the 1966/67 season, and then went on to play a total of 291 full games for the club, all the way through till 1976, which is pretty good going.
A typical centre half really, dependable, got stuck in, and being of tall build he'd often use his height advantage for corners and free kicks, hitting the back of the net on a few occasions too.
In fact, one of his rare goals was captured on telly, here it is below.
A 2-1 Dee victory away at Tynecastle, with big Dode getting on the end of a Biffo free kick - December 1972.

DUNCAN McLEOD - STRIKER - 1971/73

2011-02-01T02:20:00.000-08:00

Here's a DFC player to test your memory cells - striker, Duncan McLeod.
This cutting, dated Friday 14th January 1972, mentions the possibility of McLeod making his Dundee debut that Saturday as he was included in the pool to play Hearts at Tyncastle the next day.

It wasn't to be however, in fact McLeod only played one full game for the club and that was the following season when he took part in the Dees away game against Norwich in the Texaco Cup in September 72. So at the end of the day, there can't have been many Dee fans who actually saw him play for the dark blues!

Anyone go to Norwich?

Incidentally, the game at Tyncastle - we won it 5-2!

THE WEE RED BOOK - 1973

2011-01-14T00:34:00.000-08:00

Here's a reminder of how the popular Wee Red Book looked in the 1973-74 season, the year we lifted the League Cup.

Under it, Tommy Gemmell parades the trophy at Hampden with Thomson Allan alongside.

SHRINE XMAS BREAK

2010-12-19T01:05:00.000-08:00

Time for me to have a wee winter break now.
Will return early in the New Year.
Let's hope the club are still with us!
Merry Christmas.

CHRISTMAS WITH BOBBY

2010-12-16T06:48:00.000-08:00

It's festive time again, and here's a great image of Bobby Cox celebrating Christmas in 1962. Looks like a real Bobby-dazzler of a party too!!
If you want to use this image for yourself, feel free to download it and run off a few Xmas cards, or anything else you can think of.
Remember and click on the image to get the large version for a better quality copy. Just right click and do the "Save Picture As.." routine.

DUNDEE ON SCORCHER COVER - 1972

2010-12-14T00:37:00.000-08:00

Dundee made the cover of Scorcher and Score in April 1972.
The small inserts of info beside the drawings touch on subjects like the club's high profile transfers to teams down South, the 1910 Scottish Cup victory and the Dees performance in the 72 season.
Click onto the cover if you want to read the large version.

IAN SCOTT - FORWARD - EARLY 70'S

2010-12-12T00:35:00.000-08:00

Ian Scott joined Dundee in 1971. Although he was a striker, he wasn't exactly a prolific goal scorer for us. Then again, he was competing with Wallace, Duncan & J.Scott in the forward line at the time, so it was a difficult task I suppose. In his 82 games he played for the club, he managed to grab a total of 19 goals.
His final appearance in Dee colours was in April 1975.
The photo of him was taken in 1971.
When he hung up his boots, he went on to be a policeman and is now retired.

DAVE JOHNSTON IN THE 70'S

2010-12-09T00:43:00.000-08:00

Dundee's left back, Dave (Biffo) Johnston, was well known for having a power-blaster of a shot. So what you DIDN'T want to be doing was standing in the way of one of his shots.
Unfortunately, Alex Ingram of Ayr United didn't heed this warning, and took the full force of one of Biffo's thunderbolts, right in the kisser!
You can see on the footage below from 1975 how, despite appearing to have his left eye half shut from the impact, Ingram not only stayed on his feet, but he didn't even flinch!
The picture above of Davie at Dens was taken circa 1970.

JIM EASTON - MIDFIELDER - 1964-1971

2010-11-26T00:42:00.000-08:00

Jim Easton is a name I can remember from when I first started going up to Dens in the late 60's when I was a primary schoolboy.
He had been with the club a few years before my visits however, from 1964 in fact, and kept going till 1971.
He notched up a total of 202 games in the centre-half position for the Dee, so he is actually one of Dundee's longer serving players.
The photo was taken around 1969.

LAWRIE SMITH - PHYSIO - EARLY 60'S

2010-11-24T00:48:00.000-08:00

Here's physio, Lawrie Smith, tending to Dee player Bobby Seith, probably around the 1961/62 period.
Lawrie joined the club in 1959, leaving Arbroath Infirmary to take on the Dens job.
That's coach Sammy Kean in white keeping an eye on things!

MAURICE FRIEL - PHYSIO - EARLY 70'S

2010-11-19T10:24:00.000-08:00

Not sure how many years exactly Maurice Friel was Dundee Physio, but he was definitely with the club during the 1969 to 71 period, this photo taken in 1970.
It just occurred to me when I saw this image that this round DFC crest he has on, has never been resurrected like other crests from the past have. This simple design is my favourite too but has only been used on the shirts circa 1970-73. There was a blue version and a red version I remember. This was the one worn when we beat AC Milan at Dens in 71, so maybe time to reintroduce it again for newer generations to get acquainted with.

BOBBY ANCELL AS MANAGER - MID 60'S

2010-11-17T14:35:00.000-08:00

Here's a photo of Bobby Ancell when he was DFC manager, the image taken around 1967.
Bobby was boss from 1965 to 68 during which saw the Dee play in a Scottish League Cup final and reach the semi's of the Fairs Cup.
A couple of decades earlier, Bobby played left-back for Dundee, and as a defender (1944 to 50) he notched up a total of 134 games.
He was involved in one of the clubs quirkier moments in history, Bobby being in the team which in 1947, won 2 League games 10-0... 2 weeks on the trot!
While in his playing days at Dens he also achieved 2 Scotland caps.
Bobby Ancell died in 1987.

REVIVE AND SURVIVE

2010-11-12T03:41:00.000-08:00

If you think you can put this graphic to good use, click onto the image to get the large, better quality version, and feel free to download it.
Keep the passion burning and get creative!

SFL CLAMP DOWN ON THE DEE!

2010-11-11T00:37:00.001-08:00

WHEEL BE BACK..!!

RODDY GEORGESON - FORWARD - 1967-70

2010-11-10T00:35:00.000-08:00

Despite his Scandinavian looks, Roddy Georgeson was born in Egypt. However, Dundee signed him from a slightly less exotic location, Port Vale, in 1967.
His time at Dens was pretty much as a fringe player, notching up only 13 full games in the 3 seasons he was with the club. He did pop in 4 goals mind you, so at least what skills he had were of some use.
After 1970, he went on to play for a number of smaller Scottish clubs well into the 80's.

JIM STEELE IN THE 60'S

2010-11-09T00:36:00.000-08:00

I already have a couple of items up about Jim Steele's playing career at Dens, so no need to go into detail again, but I just thought I'd put up this pre-curly top image of him as a young lad.
The photo was taken around 1967 when Jim had not been at the club very long and was still a couple of years away from making his first team debut.
When Jim moved to Southampton in 1972, he was a top player by then, and I remember that same year when I was 14, I wrote asking for a signed photo of him wearing his Saints strip. However, not having a clue of the postal address of Southampton's ground, all I could muster was the name of it, so I ended up just putting - Jim Steele, The Dell, Southampton - on the envelope!
It was no surprise that I received no reply, as I suspect my letter never reached him in the first place!

MIKE HEWITT - GOALKEEPER - 1970-74

2010-11-07T01:35:00.000-07:00

Dundee were fortunate to have 3 great keepers on the go around the same era, however, this wasn't such good fortune for Mike Hewitt who found himself in the middle of, firstly, competing with Ally Donaldson in 1970 & 71, then going straight into battle for position with Thomson Allan in 1973 & 74.
Hewitt's best season was 1971/72 when he became the dominant keeper wearing the #1 jersey.
All together he played a total of 55 games in the 4 seasons he was with the Dee.
He then left Dens in 75 to play in the United States.
Not sure if he ever returned?!

DAVIE SWAN - LEFT BACK - 1966-70

2010-11-05T02:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a young looking Davie Swan with an unfamiliar crew cut, the picture taken in the late 60's.
Davie played left back for Dundee, debuting in 1966.
Although he was with the club for a few years, he only participated in 44 full games, his final outing in dark blue being in March 1970.
One of his career highlights was playing in the semi final of the Fairs Cup against Leeds in 1968, with a 24,000 crowd at Dens roaring them on.
He later opted for a sensible side parting!

A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE

2010-11-03T01:36:00.000-07:00

The present team got penance - the past teams got pennants!
This colourful little corner of the Dens boardroom goes back to the early 60's.
I've managed to identify most of the teams on the pennants, so we have - Unione Sportiva Palermo (Italy) - Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) - Uhrik Truckers Philadelphia (USA) - SSV Reutlingen (Germany) - Arsenal - Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Mexico) - KR Reykyavik (Iceland) - Legia Warsaw (Poland) - FC Saarbrucken (Germany).
Sitting on the sideboard along with the League Championship trophy are a Lisbon Lion, a photo of the 1962 champions team and a golden Portuguese Caravel in a glass case.

BOTTOM OF THE TABLE

2010-11-01T11:37:00.000-07:00

CRUMBS..!!

A WEE REMINDER...

2010-10-26T13:41:00.000-07:00

The doors at Dens haven't been padlocked yet...so here's some useful advice below!

CRESTFALLEN

2010-10-26T02:36:00.000-07:00

Recently, the club shop's bestseller..!!

IN DISTRESS

2010-10-25T02:46:00.000-07:00

When the turnstiles stop revolving...Deeterioration!!

DENSE PARK

2010-10-24T02:43:00.000-07:00

DFC are told to go stand in the corner while the SFL discuss the punishment for going into administration!

DUNDEE'S HAM-FISTED ACCOUNTING

2010-10-23T02:46:00.000-07:00

Now that those who were running the club made a complete pig's ear of the dosh, here's an appropriate new club badge design for them to wear on their ties and blazers!

DUNDEE DEBT

2010-10-22T10:06:00.000-07:00

PASS THE BUCK!

DFC IN AUTUMN 2010

2010-10-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

The Dundee laurel is not so hardy!

THE DEEFIBRILLATOR

2010-10-21T02:35:00.000-07:00

...beep...beep....beeeep.......beeeeeep............

APT ANAGRAM

2010-10-20T13:51:00.000-07:00

Who'd have thought...?!!

THE TAYTANIC

2010-10-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

THE TAYTANIC - CONTROLLED BY EXPERTS!

LET THE FUNDRAISING COMMENCE

2010-10-08T15:02:00.000-07:00

PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY..!!!!!!

I R GELLATLY - DFC CHAIRMAN - 1986

2010-09-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

Another one of the Gellatly clan - this time it's Chairman Ian Gellatly, the picture taken at the start of 1986/87 season. For some reason the photographer managed to persuade IG to pose without his shades on. Quite a rare sight!!
I don't know how many Gellatly's there have been in total at the club, but I know the family have been connected with Dundee FC since at least 1944.
I'm not so sure either if their positions as Chairmen & Directors also included "owning" the club, but they have been on the board for many decades in the past.

GELLATLY WITH THE GOODS

2010-09-10T00:37:00.000-07:00

This is DFC Chairman, James Gellatly, keeping a close eye on the Scottish League Championship trophy in 1962.
Wonder how much the club spent on Duraglit that year?!

DEE FANS OFF TO BRUSSELS - 1963

2010-09-07T08:07:00.000-07:00

Here's a bus load of Dee supporters on their way to Brussels in 1963 to watch Dundee bang in 4 against Anderlecht! It's not often games like this crop up with us, so dosh well spent I reckon!
Dickson's who ran the football specials were based in Reform Street.

CHAAAAAAAAAAARGE!!!

2010-09-01T07:50:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple of great shots of jubilant Dee fans invading the pitch.

The happy occasion took place at East Stirling on 2nd May 1981 when Dundee won promotion back to the SPL with a 1-0 victory.

The dark blues had around 5000 at the game, most of which ended up on the pitch by the look of it!

The invasion was caught on tv too, so here below is the commotion after the final whistle.

Looking forward to a repeat of it this season!!

Big thanks to JG

BILLY STEEL IN TARTAN - 1953

2010-06-27T08:04:00.001-07:00

I isolated the Billy Steel image from the 1982-83 handbook and tidied it up a bit, because this is the only photo I have of him "in action" wearing the DFC tartan shirt. The picture would have been taken on Dundee's tour of South Africa in 1953.
Don't know if it's just a trick of the light, but when I was cleaning the photo I noticed it looked like Billy was wearing tartan/argyle socks too. If it is, then that's a piece of Dee strip trivia I never knew!

DUNDEE FC HANDBOOK - 1982-83

2010-06-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

Here's another DFC Handbook, this time brought out for the 1982-83 season.
The reason there are 3 "old" pictures on the cover is because all 3 died during the course of the previous season, and so this was a wee tribute.
Top - Billy Steel, Bottom Left - Bert Juliussen, Bottom Right - Bob Shankly.
The publication itself has the same kind of content as the other handbooks, club history, player profiles, quiz and so on.

JIM DUFFY TESTIMONIAL PROGRAMME - 1987

2010-06-24T07:37:00.000-07:00

This is the programme for Jim Duffy's Testimonial that took place on 6th December 1987 at Dens.
It was actually supposed to be a game in aid of, what was thought at the time, the end of Jim's playing career after a horrendous knee injury against Rangers in September 87, but as everyone knows, he came bouncing back in 1990!
Charlie Nicholas was in Dundee's team for this game, and in fact scored one of the goals which saw the Dee come out on top over a Premier League Select side. DFC winning 5-3 to be precise.

THE BATTLE OF COLOGNE - 1962

2010-06-23T02:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a detailed account of the (in)famous "Battle Of Cologne" which took place in September 1962 between FC Cologne and Dundee FC.

Although it's chocolate coloured, once you click onto the images to get the large versions, you can read it clearly enough when you zoom in.

It was quite a nasty match but there are some amusing moments in it too.

The article comes from an early 70's weekly magazine called "Book of Football" which built up into a multi volumed encyclopedia.

DUNDEE SQUAD - 1975

2010-06-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

Another squad photo for the collection. This time from a 1975 Shoot magazine. It has quite a few reserve players in it alongside the more well known faces, although in the names listed, it has Ian Gordon when it should be Alan Gordon!
Click on the image to view the large version.

DFC HISTORY IN THE MAKING

2010-06-03T01:40:00.000-07:00

If anyone wants to put this graphic to good use, t-shirt, mug or whatever, feel free to download it.
Remember and click onto it to get the better quality large version.

DFC GOALS v AC MILAN - 1963

2010-05-29T08:07:00.000-07:00

I've put a few items up on the Shrine relating to Dundee's games against AC Milan in the 1963 European Cup semi final, so I won't bother going over the match details again.
Instead I thought it was about time to show the Dees goals.
First is the Cousin goal in the San Siro ; followed by Gilzean's goal at Dens.
Lap it up!!

BILLY SEMPLE - 1972 & 73

2010-05-25T00:42:00.001-07:00

Here's Billy Semple, before and after the mouser!

Although he played for Rangers before moving to Dens, he only ended up taking part in a handful of games for the Dees in the 1972 & 73 seasons.

SPRUCING UP DENS - 1989

2010-05-21T03:58:00.000-07:00

A bit of restoration to the main stand, some repairs, a few licks of paint, and a wee bit of ground work, all going towards making sure everything is shipshape for the 1989/90 season to commence.
If you knew any construction workers, joiners, painter & decorators who worked on Dens back then, you may even be lucky enough to spot them on the footage below!

CANIGGIA IN THE RAIN - 2001

2010-05-18T00:46:00.000-07:00

I can't help laugh at this picture!
Here he is, Argentinian glamour guy & soccer superstar, Claudio Caniggia, stuck at the side of a training pitch, in the pissin' rain, in Dundee, wondering what the hell he has got himself into!!

TOMMY GEMMELL - MANAGER - 1977-80

2010-05-10T09:16:00.000-07:00

Tommy Gemmell was already a legend by the time he came to Dundee because of his playing days at Celtic and with Scotland, but he also became a bit of an instant hero at Dens when he signed in 1973 and promptly lead the team to League Cup success as captain that year.
When he hung up his boots in 1977, he got the job as Dee boss. His managerial highlight was probably getting Dundee promoted to the SPL in 78/79, but it was swiftly followed by relegation the following season, and so ended his time in charge.
Before he departed, he did manage to squeeze out a famous victory against his former team, Celtic. A 5-1 drubbing at Dens. However, even this amazing scoreline, with just 2 games remaining in the 79/80 season, wasn't enough to keep the Dee in top flight football, and down we went!
Below, are the goals from the game, which took place on 19 April 1980. It is then followed by an interview with big Tam after the match.

SOLAR DEECLIPSE

2010-05-06T11:12:00.000-07:00

Astronomers at Mills Observatory in Dundee recently captured the first ever total Deeclipse of the sun.
The remarkable footage below contains the actual time-lapse photography the moment the magical event occurred!

JOHN BROWN GOAL - 1986

2010-05-03T11:28:00.000-07:00

John Brown expresses his satisfaction after banging in a goal against Aberdeen in the Quarter Final of the Scottish Cup played at Dens on 8th March 1986.
Over 13,000 were there to see the 2-2 draw, with Graham Harvey being the Dees other scorer.

DFC JERSEY - 1998/99

2010-04-26T12:10:00.000-07:00

This is the shirt Dundee wore for the 1998/99 season.

With sponsors Scottish Hydro-Electric on the front...and a reminder of who the team is on the back!

DEE PLAYERS ON SCOTSPORT - 1963

2010-04-22T12:17:00.001-07:00

Here's a cutting from a 1963 Sporting Post, featuring a young Arthur Montford discussing the top football story of the day, with guests - Davie Wilson & George McLean of Rangers and Dundee superstars, Alan Gilzean & Alec Hamilton.
Thanks to NP.

DEE FANS AT MUIRTON - 1962 #4

2010-04-17T00:33:00.000-07:00

Party time!!
Dee fans gather around the players tunnel at Muirton, celebrating the moment the team became Scottish champs!
Photo by DC Thomson

DEE FANS AT MUIRTON - 1962 #3

2010-04-15T03:09:00.000-07:00

It's the final whistle and we're Scottish champions!!
Photo by DC Thomson

DEE FANS AT MUIRTON - 1962 #2

2010-04-14T02:03:00.001-07:00

Dundee supporters run onto the pitch to celebrate. I think this may be for the 3rd goal rather than full time.
Photo by DC Thomson

DEE FANS AT MUIRTON - 1962 #1

2010-04-13T07:37:00.000-07:00

There were 26,500 at Muirton to see Dundee win the title in April 1962 against St Johnstone, and probably 20,000 of them were Dees.
Here's a section of these Dundee supporters making plenty noise, cheering the team to victory!
Click image to enlarge. You might just spot someone you know!
Photo by DC Thomson.

THAT'S LIFE!

2010-04-08T03:18:00.000-07:00

gene - The basic unit of inheritance, consisting of a sequence of DNA that occupies a specific position on a chromosome. It is the means by which one or more specific characteristics are passed on from parents to offspring.

DUNDEE FC SQUAD - 1970-71

2010-04-02T00:49:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo featuring a few of the unsung guys I recently featured, sitting alongside the first team players in 1970/71.
Dundee finished 5th that season, one place behind Rangers, and as a consequence, were rewarded with a UEFA Cup spot.
The team also took part in the Texaco Cup that year, and (hush hush) won the Forfarshire Cup!

DAVE SOUTAR - FULL BACK

2010-03-31T01:20:00.000-07:00

The last, for now, of the lesser known Dee players is, ex Clyde full back, Dave Soutar. He seems like an old pro compared to the previous players in the sequence, as he managed to notch up 9 full games for the club during the 1970/71 season, when this photo was taken.

IAN SMITH - OUTSIDE RIGHT

2010-03-30T00:37:00.000-07:00

This photo of right winger, Ian Smith, was taken in the 1970/71 season.
He did actually play in 1 full game for the first team on 21st October 1972 against Killie, and so was obviously on Dundee's books for at least 3 seasons.

DAVID HENDERSON - CENTRE FORWARD

2010-03-29T02:00:00.000-07:00

This is David Henderson, centre forward in the 1970/71 season, although no sign of him having had any first team action.

GRAHAM ROBERTSON - FULL BACK

2010-03-28T01:23:00.001-07:00

This one is Graham Robertson, full back for the Dee reserves in the 1970/71 season.

RAYMOND STEELE

2010-03-26T04:48:00.001-07:00

No info on Raymond Steele other than he was at Dens in the late 60's.

ROBERT PRENTICE - OUTSIDE LEFT

2010-03-25T01:28:00.000-07:00

This is Robert Prentice, who played outside left in 1970/71.
I also have a photo of him with the full first team squad from the same season, but there is no account of him having played with them, so I can only assume his time at Dens was with the reserves.

CHARLIE McVICAR - INSIDE FORWARD

2010-03-24T02:12:00.000-07:00

Another one of the Dees mystery men was Charlie McVicar, inside forward in the 1970/71 season.

GEORGE FALCONER - INSIDE FORWARD

2010-03-23T02:05:00.000-07:00

At least I have a wee bit of info on George Falconer. He was a forward, previously with Raith Rovers, and as far as I've been able to establish, he has played only 1 full game for the Dee, that being in the 1970/71 season against Killie.

MICHAEL CAIRNEY - INSIDE FORWARD

2010-03-22T03:21:00.000-07:00

The 3rd of the fringe players from the past is Michael Cairney, an inside forward in the 1970/71 season.

COLIN LOWE - WING HALF

2010-03-21T02:01:00.000-07:00

This is Colin Lowe, wing half for the DFC reserves, 1971/72 season.
If you have anymore info, drop it into the comments.

MICHAEL HORNE - GOALKEEPER

2010-03-20T02:00:00.000-07:00

So, do you reckon you know everything there is to know about Dundee FC?
Well it's not a claim I'd like to make about myself, but I've got a batch of photos coming up next which I'm pretty sure will test your knowledge of DFC to the limit!
What it is, is I have a set of images of fringe players, some who only played in the Dees reserves and a couple who played only 1 or 2 games for the full team.
I must admit, the players I will be putting up on the Shrine over the next few days, I have never heard of, so it will be interesting to find out if any of you know anything about them. Were they local lads? Did they move on to play for another team?
The only the details I have are their names, position, and season.
See how you get on...starting with this chap here - Michael Horne, who was a goalie in the 1971/72 season.

DUNDEE SQUAD - 1969/70 SEASON

2010-03-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

Here's the team getting ready for the start of the 1969/70 season at Dens.
Those of you needing player ID, check out the photo of the same squad I put up in the March 2009 archive. Just put "Conga" into the search box!

HUGH ROBERTSON - R.I.P.

2010-03-13T04:16:00.000-08:00

HUGH ROBERTSON : 1939 - 2010
Dundee FC : 1957 - 1965

BOBBY COX IN ACTION

2010-03-01T08:36:00.000-08:00

The Shrine has been suffering from computer gremlins the past couple of weeks, hence the lack of posts. I'm still trying to sort it out.
Meantime, here is a photo of Bobby Cox striking a pose at Dens.

ALAN GORDON - R.I.P.

2010-02-20T09:10:00.000-08:00

ALAN GORDON : 14/5/1944 - 19/2/2010
Dundee FC : 1974 - 1976

BOBBY COX - R.I.P.

2010-02-20T08:22:00.000-08:00

BOBBY COX : 24/1/1934 - 20/2/2010
Dundee FC : 1956 - 1969

THE UNION JACK CHANT - 1970'S

2010-02-19T03:37:00.000-08:00

Back in the early 70's, when fan rivalry included the odd bout of bigotry in the banter, Dee fans sometimes borrowed ideas from the Gers when it came to singing chants on matchday.
As well as flaunting Union Jacks at matches (which was copied off Rangers), the Derry used to burst into the "Born Under A Union Jack" chant, a well known Gers song, but obviously, Dundee's version having a tweak to the wording. The original tune, by Lee Marvin is called "Wandering Star". Here below is a wee reminder of that very tune, with sing-a-long lyrics!
I wouldn't be surprised if it's outlawed now!!

THE DUNDEE DOLL

2010-02-14T08:50:00.000-08:00

On a recent trip to Prague, my brother spotted this Dundee FC Russian doll on display in a shop. He first took a picture of it on the shelf in the shop (top photo), then he decided to buy it and so brought it back with him. The other picture is it back home in Dundee, separated into it's segments, with the added bonus of there being different players names on their backs.

Those who made it to the Prague Doll Of Fame were - Antoine-Curier, Paton, McHale, Malone and McMenamin.

COUSIN'S GOAL AGAINST ANDERLECHT - 1963

2010-02-09T07:53:00.000-08:00

40,000 were at Dens to see this European Cup Quarter Final against Anderlecht.
We won it 2-1, with the above panorama showing the moment the celebrations started after Cousin grabbed a goal late on in the match.
Thanks to GK

DUNDEE SKWAD - 1980-81

2010-02-04T02:40:00.000-08:00

The Dundee team huddled together for a photo opportunity at Dens in the 1980-81 season.
None of them camera shy it seems anyway!
Thanks to GK.

JOCKY SCORES AGAINST HIBS - 1974

2010-01-27T07:35:00.000-08:00

Jocky Scott on target in a game against Hibs at Easter Road on 9th March 1974.
This was the Scottish Cup Quarters and we ended up drawing 3-3 in Edinburgh in front of a crowd of 28,000.
We famously went on to do the biz at Dens (3-0) in the replay the following week in front of an even larger crowd of 30,000!
Thanks to GK

1st DIVISION CHAMPS - 1998

2010-01-21T00:51:00.000-08:00

This is the kind of image we're all hoping to see repeated in a few months time - a Dundee player holding the 1st Division Championship Trophy aloft.
On this occasion, it is Barry Smith flaunting the silverware back in 1998.

DFC'S USA TRIP - 2003

2010-01-18T02:17:00.000-08:00

Dundee took part in an "International Soccer Series" in North Carolina - USA, in July 2003.
This is the programme cover for the tournament.
There were 4 teams who participated, with the Dee playing 2 games - the 1st against locals, Raleigh CASL Elite in which we won 5-0, and the 2nd match against a team from Honduras called CD Marathon, a 1-1 draw.
All the games were played at SAS Stadium in Cary.

GOAL CELEBRATION AGAINST UNITED

2010-01-14T08:53:00.000-08:00

Celebration time as George Shaw is joined by Neil McCann, Neil Duffy and Jim Hamilton in a game at Tannadice in 1995 in which the Dee came out on top with a 3-2 victory.
Photo by DC Thomson.

HIT THE BAR

2010-01-09T01:55:00.000-08:00

Not sure if this bar of chocolate was made by Cadderry's or Rowndee's, but let's hope it leads to a 2010 with the sweet taste of victory rather than sweet FA..!!
Happy Blue Year!

FESTIVE BREAK

2009-12-18T09:29:00.000-08:00

Time to shut shop now for a mid winter break.
All going well, the Dark Blues will still be on top, or even further ahead, when I get back to the Shrine in the New Year.
Anyone new to the Shrine can catch up with all the past items by clicking on the dates in the Archive down the right-hand side of the layout. They will open up to display previous posts.
So to wish you all a Merry Christmas, here below, is a rare recording of a tune you will all recognise, taken on location at a church somewhere in Dundee.
Well the do say football is a religion!

2 OLD SCHOOL DEE SCARVES

2009-12-17T02:06:00.000-08:00

You will have spotted the scarf the Major was wearing in the DJ photo a few posts ago. Well here is that very one, in all it's 70's glory!
You can click the image to enlarge it if you want to zoom in to view the period patches.
The scarf on the right is a genuine original from the 60's, and has to be my all time favourite.
An iconic classic!
Big THANKS to Jock.

DUNDEE'S BRACES STRIP - LATE 70'S

2009-12-15T00:29:00.000-08:00

This is the short sleeved version of Dundee's braces shirt the team wore in the 1976 - 79 era. Still looking pretty smart too!

Admiral made the original official strip back in the day, but you can still grab a replica top from retro sportswear outlets these days.

The photo underneath it is Jimmy Johnstone wearing the full kit in 1977.

Jinky was at the tale end of his career when he signed for DFC, and consequently only managed to play 2 full games in the Dee colours. I, however, saw him play a couple of extra games, because I used to go watch the reserves play too in this era, and I can tell you he actually played better in the reserves than he did in the big team. Not the wee wizard he once was, but still managing to run rings 'round the youngsters at times.

Thanks to JF & GK.

JOCK FERGUSON AKA HANNIBAL

2009-12-14T02:05:00.000-08:00

Here's Jock flaunting a Dee scarf in the middle of the desert in Egypt.
The date is 26th November 1995, the day of the Scottish League Cup final v Aberdeen.
Work commitments meant that Jock couldn't get through to Hampden for the game, so when he was playing Hannibal for an American TV documentary about ancient civilisations, he managed to brandish the blue & white club colours while having a bit of fun during an outtake sequence, just to remind everyone his thoughts were elsewhere!!
Big thanks to Jock.

JOCK FERGUSON AKA ROBERT THE BRUCE

2009-12-13T01:18:00.000-08:00

Jock has been known to enjoy a bit of dressing up now and then, sometimes for fun, but mostly to accompany his ideas, and here he is here as Robert The Bruce, a character who has performed at Dens Park.
One of the times Bruce entertained the Dens crowd was an appearance at a Dundee v Rangers game. He, along with the Dee-Lites, did a song called "The Man Who Would Be Disco King", but unfortunately, some members of the crowd didn't appreciate the free entertainment that was laid on and expressed themselves by pelting them with coins!
Bruce also appeared on the Dens pitch at a game against Hamilton. On this occasion though it was to show off his football skills! All that got hit this time was the back of the net!!

JOCK FERGUSON AKA MAJOR LONGHORN

2009-12-12T00:45:00.000-08:00

This candid shot of Jock Ferguson's alter ego, Major Longhorn, was taken in the hi-tech surroundings of the DJ room at Dens in 1979.
He was the DJ for 2 full seasons, but also did the odd stint up to around 1990.
There was a noticeable change in the music blasting out of the tannoy at Dens when the Major took charge, the most obvious one being introducing the sounds of punk & new wave, with bands such as The Clash, The Cure & The Damned, a selection that often lead to complaints for being too loud! There was one occasion when a fan heard The Dead Kennedy's booming from Dens, when he was halfway down the Hilltown!
He would also spin a quirkier set from time to time with the likes of Nellie The Elephant, The Laughing Policeman and Jimmy Shand, an act who always got the crowd in the stand stomping their feet!
We do, however, have the Major to thank for being the chap who revived the Hector Nicol gem from 1962, "The Dundee Song", the scratchy old record played when the team run onto the pitch.
Other Dens duties included reading out the half time scores, and on the occasions when United were losing, he would keep that till last, giving it a big build up!
He also had a go at doing the commentary at Dens when there was an under 16 World Cup tie being played, and was struggling to pronounce impossible Chinese names!!
Other Major output was as contributor to the match day programmes, writing his own columns, accompanied at times with a cartoon or two.
A few years later, Jock helped put together the DFC cd "It's my Dundee", featuring the updated version of "Johnnie Scobie", another tune that still gets belted out at Dens.
Finally, some of you may recall the Dee related tales of Bandy Conacher on the net, well yep, that was also one of Jocks creations.
Anyway, that was just a brief introduction to Jock and the Major, there will be more to follow.
Thanks to Jock.

BILLY PIRIE - GOAL GETTER

2009-12-10T08:12:00.001-08:00

Centre Forward, Billy Pirie, was something of a goal machine for Dundee.
In the 4 seasons he was at Dens - 1976 to 1980 - he scored an impressive 106 goals in 137 appearances, and was the Dees top scorer 3 years on the trot!
The picture is of Billy, typically going for goal, in a game against East Fife in 76/77, his debut season which had him bang in 44 in total!
Photo by DC Thomson.
Thanks to GK.

COUSIN ON TARGET - SAN SIRO - 1963

2009-12-08T11:53:00.000-08:00

This is the magic moment Dundee's Alan Cousin finds the back of the net against AC Milan in the semi final of the European Cup at the San Siro, in front of 78,000.
April 1963.
Thanks to GK

RAVANELLI'S HAT TRICK - 2003

2009-12-06T01:36:00.001-08:00

Although Fabrizio Ravanelli only played 5 full games for Dundee in the 2003/04 season, he managed to grab 3 goals, all of which were against Clyde in a League Cup game that took place on 29th October 2003. The match ended 5-2, with Novo & Wilkie scoring the other 2.
The above photo of Rav & Novo was taken at that very match.
Thanks to GK.

DUNDEE SQUAD 2004-05

2009-12-03T01:19:00.000-08:00

The official DFC team photo for the 2004/05 season.
It's so formal and symmetrical, even the 2 balls have been posed to match exactly!!
Photo by DC Thomson.

ALEC CALDWELL IN ACTION - 1977

2009-11-30T08:42:00.000-08:00

Alec Caldwell taking control of the situation in a Scottish Cup tie at Dens against Aberdeen on 26th Feb 1977, with 17,000 in attendance. The score here was 0-0 but we managed to win 2-1 in the return leg at Pittodrie.
Caldwell was at Dens from 1973 to 1980 and played a total of 137 full games.
He was the only Dee player I can remember, who around 1973/74, had a Bowie haircut..!!
I think that is Davidson beside him, a Don who later became a Dee.

THOMSON ALLAN CAUGHT IN TRAFFIC

2009-11-25T01:53:00.000-08:00

"Pull over" shouted the traffic police.
"£10 fae Markies" Thomson Allan replied.

This picture of Dundee's ace keeper was taken in 1972. The motor in a safe pair of hands.

DEEFAX

2009-11-23T08:38:00.000-08:00

It doesn't happen very often so thought I'd capture the moment of the Cup Final score on view on BBC's text service.

THE DFC BIN AT DENS

2009-11-22T00:42:00.000-08:00

What do you think of the opposition so far?
RUBBISH!!!

BOBBY COX - 1965

2009-11-19T00:38:00.000-08:00

Here's Bobby Cox projecting a confident, but rather intimidating pose, back in 1965.
Glad he was on our side!!