WE'LL ALL STAND TOGETHER.....................

Never in the history of this club has there been such a feeling of sheer togetherness. The sense of injustice, the sense of siege mentality has worked in our favour after being handed out a servere and over the top punishement by the SFL for entering administration. It can be argued that there was a great collectiveness during the last time we were in administration in 2003. Yes there was, but not to the same extent as there is today. For a start, we weren't docked points for administration and neither was there a transfer embargo placed upon the club. The fundraising was fantastic but this time round, we have all united in the cause for the greater good and the evils that be that have tried to put us out of buisness altogether.

The stands at Dens are now filled with anticipation and excitement as Barry's army continues to battle on in their superb run of form, which now stands at 17 games unbeaten in a row. A phenomenal achievement given the fact we are down to the bare bones in terms of squad members and that we are having to rely on trialists to bolster our squad as we aren't allowed to sign anyone until we formal exit administration. The fans are giving the players 100% support. The players are giving the fans 100% commitment and passion for the cause. The two parties are together in the fight.

The fans have been through a lot in the clubs 118 year history. It has reached the dizzy heights of the League win in 1962 to the semi finals of the European Cup in 1963. Along the way there has been cup finals and semi finals, but also there has been crises and periods of time for concern for the future viability of the club. This proud club of ours has now endured the embarrassment of entering administration twice due to severe financial mismanagement by the powers that be at Dens. The fans have been tremendous in their reaction to adversity. They have dug deep both in terms of financial backing and also that of emotional backing. There has been tears shed amongst the Dark Blue fans at the thought of liquidation and there has been smiles shown at the tremendous and unbelievable fight that the players have shown.

Never have I felt so close to the team as I do just now. Never have I felt so close to the fans as I do just now. In this period of anxiety and waiting for the official start to the exit of administration, we have a glimmer of hope for the future. We have a nucleus of a team that is prepared to battle right to the end. They have given blood, sweat and tears in their efforts to propel this club forward and now we are in touching distance of staying in the division and also staying alive as a football club. But lets' not just rest on our laurels. We realise that their is a long and winding road full of battles ahead of us, but let us also be thankful we have this chance for recovery and also for the chance to build this club into a community club, run by the fans. Let us say no to the clowns who have the daft airbrain schemes to try and win promotion and who splash the cash without worrying about the consequences. Lets say no to the chancers who are looking to Dundee to try and make a fast buck and to try and make a name for themselves. We now have to move forward as a club that is connected with the community and a club that has to live within its means. We need a sense of reality in the sense we are not the club we once were. We need to rebuild our reputation, a reputation that has been dragged through the hedge by certain people who are no longer involved with the club.

Directors, owners, players and staff will all come and go but the supporters will remain fiercly loyal to the core and will always be there. We should enjoy this fantastic feel good spirit between the fans and the players as it may not last forever. Dundee FC are here to stay and for that, we should be thankful.

STALEMATE AT DENS AS UNBEATEN RUN CONTINUES

Dundee 1-1 Greenock Morton

It may have been two dropped points but Dundee's magnificent unbeaten continues. Dundee are now unbeaten in their last 17 games and also are unbeaten at home since January 2010. Sean Higgins goal looked set to seal another win for the Dees in the 26th minute but a spirited Morton side dampened the Dens crowd as they equalised midway through the second half.

BRIAN FERME.

Dark Blue Forever were saddened to hear that lifelong Dundee supporter Brian Ferme died in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Wednesday. The 57 year old collapsed on 12th February after the Dundee v Raith Rovers match at Dens Park. He was taken to Ninewells Hospital and was later transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where he sadly passed away. We would all like to express our sincere condolences to Brian's family at this very sad time.

ROVERS TITLE BID DENTED AS DEES DEFY CRITICS YET AGAIN!

Raith Rovers 1-2 Dundee

It was strongly reckoned by many that this game would spell the end of the unbeaten run that Dundee were enjoying. Starks Park is a tough place to get any points, especially as the hosts were enjoying fine form in the league and were sitting pretty at the top of the First Division. However, it seemed that Dundee had not read the script.
Dundee were down to the bare bones in terms of players and drafted in former Lochee United player Craig Robertson to draft in at central midfield. There were also four teenagers on the bench and Johny Stewart deputised at right back for the suspended Gary Irvine.
Dundee took the lead in the 34th minute courtesy of a Sean Higgins finish after a fantastic through ball from Forsyth saw the pint sized Dee striker run clear and slot the ball under the keeper and into the net.
Raith Rovers quickly restored parity in the 50th minute when an Ian Walker free kick dropped into the Dundee net.
The parity didn't last long as 4 minutes later, Dundee regained the lead.  A forging run by Harkins allowed him to gain territory into the Raith half. He passed the ball out onto the left to Forsyth who whizzed a cross into the box, hitting the hand of a Raith player in the process but the ball fell to Higgins who flicked the ball home from close range. Cue Dundee pandimonium.
Dundee would later see a shot cleared off the line and a few efforts saved by the keeper as they comfortably saw the game out and earned another three valuable points in the process.

HIGGINS SECURES AT FORTHBANK

Stirling 0-1 Dundee

Sean Higgins secured a hard fought victory for the Dark Blues at Forthbank. His 35th minute strike was the difference as Dundee move 7 points clear of bottom placed Stirling Albion. Dundee had to endure the last 20 minutes of the game with 10 men as Gary Irvine was sent off for a rash challenge. But although Stirling huffed and puffed, Dundee held out for the three points.

CAN HE DO IT? YES HE MCCANN!

DUNDEE 2-1 RAITH ROVERS,

An old fans favourite arrived back at Dens to help Dundee out as a trialist. The person in question was Neil McCann. The evergreen 36 year old, who is currently working with Sky Sports as a analyst, answered Barry Smith's call and joined the club on trial. He hadn't played since 2009 for Falkirk in their defeat to Rangers in the Scottish Cup Final and had since retired from playing but agreed to help Dundee out.

Raith Rovers came into the game with confidence and were the only unbeaten side on their travels in the whole of the UK. Dundee on the other hand were on a 13 game unbeaten run and were unbeaten at Dens for over a year. Something ultimately had to give....................

In what was a fairly nervous first half, Dundee edged Raith Rovers in terms of possession, but in terms of shots on goal, Raith were ahead on that count. Having said that, neither teams had the cutting edge in front of goal in the first half and the half petered out quietly without either keeper being seriously tested.

Second half and the game livened up a bit. Dundee's Craig Forsyth had the earliest chance when he was put through on the left by a fantastic Harkins pass but his touch was heavy and the angle was very tight but he did well to lob the Raith keeper but the ball lacked any real pace and it was cleared easily before it troubled the goal.

However, with 50 minutes on the clock, Raith had a corner. The ball was swung into the Dundee box and a hesitant and undecisive moment from Big Rab Douglas allowed for Grant Murray to head home for the visitors. It was a goal they didn't really deserve to be honest.
The goal though for Raith gave them fresh impetus and they searched for a killer second goal. Only last minute defending managed to keep them scoring. Raith looked fairly dangerous from corners and it was another corner that troubled the Dundee defence yet again which Baird glanced just fractionally over. Moments later, slack defending from Lockwood and Weston allowed Tade to nip into the box and his pass found Weir whose shot was comfortably saved from Rab Douglas. Weir then tried his luck again with an audacious 20 yard effort which Rab stretched to palm onto the post and out for a corner. It seemed only a matter of time before Raith would double their lead.

Jonathon Stewart was replaced by Neil McCann midway through the second half and this allowed him to go up front with Higgins and allow Harkins to drop back into midfield. Dundee then started to find their feet again as Raith began to sit deeper and deeper. A rasping shot from Craig McKeown beat the Raith keeper only for the ball to hit the outside of the post.

With 84 minutes on the clock, Dundee won themselves a free-kick 30 yards from the Raith goal. Up stepped Harkins who fired the shot into the top left corner of the goal which sparked scenes of sheer delight from the Dundee support and the South Enclosure went absolutely beserk with joy. Fantastic scenes and a fanastic goal.

Raith now lost impetus in the game and were content to try and see the game out and earn a good point but their time wasting efforts after they scored their goal would come back and haunt them. In the build up, McNeil the Raith keeper decided to pick the ball up from a pass back from a Raith player. The Raith players continued to argue and that allowed McCann to take the free kick and and allow O'Donnell to roll the ball into the empty net, only for the referee to rule it out as the free-kick was taken too quickly. When the free kick was finally taken from the penalty spot, Harkins shot was deflected for a corner. The corner was taken by Forsyth and his corner was cleared only as far as Lockwood who delivered the ball high into the box. Forsyth rose to knock the ball down to McCann who then expertly spun and knocked the ball over McNeil from 12 yard into the net. Cue delirious celebrations from McCann, the players and the supporters as in the 94th minute it was the trialist that came to help Dundee out score to win the match in extrodinary circumstances for the Dees and a goal that will live long in the memories of those Dundee fans that were there at Dens that day.


DUNDEE: 

Douglas,
Irvine,McKeown, Weston, Lockwood,
Riley, Stewart (McCann 57), O'Donnell, Forsyth,
Higgins, Harkins
Unused subs: Gibson, Smith, Rennie, Bartlett

Goals: Harkins 84, McCann 94

Booked: O'Donnell, Higgins


RAITH ROVERS:

McNeil,
Wilson, Murray, Elis, Dyer, Walker,
Davidson (Williamson 77), Simmons, McBride,
Tade (Wales 84), Baird (Weir 69)
Unused subs: McGurn, Ferry

Goal: Murray 50

Booked: Dyer, Murray, Davidson, Simmons

Referee: George Salmond

Attendance: 5,105


Photo (c) http://www.thedees.co.uk/



DUNDEE V RAITH PREVIEW.

After an eventful week for the Dark Blues off the field, this Saturday is a chance to concentrate on playing matters when we welcome Raith Rovers to Dens Park. Raith have been performing well this season and find themselves top of the league, 5 points clear of nearest challengers and bitter Fife rivals, Dunfermline Athletic.
Raith Rovers helped Dundee last weekend with a 3-1 win at Stirling, which enabled Dundee to leapfrog Stirling into 9th with our win over Queen of the South at Palmerston.

Dundee should welcome back Stephen O'Donnell this weekend after he served his one match suspension at Palmerston last week. Tom Brighton has left the club after his trial period elapsed, but the squad should include other trialists including Stewart Greacen and Gary Dempsey. More to follow........

ADMINISTRATOR STATEMENT.

Dundee FC Administrator Bryan Jackson spoke of his relief to thedees.co.uk after the CVA was agreed. Speaking to the website he said:

Bryan Jackson, PKF corporate recovery partner and joint administrator of the club, explained: “Obviously I am very happy with this result. The fans, the club’s directors and the wider Dundee community are the ones who have worked extremely hard to get us to this point and without their support I have no doubt that we would not have had the result which we have had today. They should be proud of what they have achieved over the last few months.”
“There is still a lot of work to be done but the decision today is clearly an important step toward the ultimate goal of the club coming out of administration. I think that, at this stage, it is important to focus on the future rather than the setbacks that have occurred during the last four to five months. The next task is to start paying the creditors. Whilst this result is good news for the fans of the club it is important to remember that this situation has resulted in many creditors losing a lot of money, not least the public purse in the form of HMRC. We should also remember that nine players and four non-players lost their jobs as a result of this administration.”
Bryan concluded: “We also need to ensure that the new management team which will be put in place is ready for the considerable challenges that all clubs in Scotland face in the current economic climate. However, I am very pleased that the great name of Dundee FC will continue in the years to come and that we have had a positive outcome to what was a most difficult set of circumstances.”


Source: http://www.thedees.co.uk/

photo (c) http://www.thedees.co.uk/

CVA IS AGREED.

The future of Dundee FC looks a lot brighter after the Creditors Voluntary Agreement (CVA) was agreed yesterday at a creditors meeting at Dens Park. 81.6% of the creditors voted in favour of the 6p in the £ offer, made by Administrator, Bryan Jackson, whilst three parties voted against, including the HMRC. This move represents a huge step forward in the process of exiting administration but it must be stressed that there is still a long way to go until Dundee FC are out of the woods. In fact, there now stands a 28 day period in which creditors can appeal the decision but must find grounds to appeal. If however there is no appeal, then hopefully by the start of March, the club will officially start the process of exiting administration.


photo (c) http://www.thedees.co.uk/