Thursday 27 January 2011

GREACEN JOINS UP AT DENS ON TRIAL

Former Greenock Morton captain Stewart Greacen has joined Dundee on trial. The 29 year old will join for three matches as that is the maximum a trialist can play.

Dundee are also hoping to give a trial to former Aberdeen midfielder Gary Dempsey. The 30 year old is currently without a club after a spell with Irish side Bray Wanderers.

Monday 24 January 2011

AU REVOIR LEIGH! A TRIBUTE.

With the impending transfer of Dundee star striker, Leigh Griffiths, to Wolves for an estimated £150,000, Dark Blue Forever would like to pay tribute to the 20 year old in his exploits as a Dundee player.


June 2009 saw the arrival of a young, raw and talented striker, his name was Leigh Griffiths. His prize tag of an estimated £115,000 sent shockwaves through Scottish Football as the intent of Dundee FC to buy the best players they could was there for everyone to see. Leigh Griffiths was the then manager Jocky Scott's top target and after a few weeks of chasing, Dundee finally got their man. He arrived on the back of an outstanding season with Livingston.

More to follow.....

DUNDEE BEAT FALKIRK TO CONTINUE RUN

Dundee 1-0 Falkirk,  Report by Anthony Marshall.
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Dundee extended their unbeaten league run to 12 after a battling and spirited win against Falkirk at Dens on Saturday. A goal courtesy of Craig Forsyth meant Dundee extended their fantastic unbeaten league record and also extended the number of clean sheets they have claimed in a row, which now stands at 7.
Another statistic is that Dundee haven't been beaten at home in the league this season, which is remarkable.

Dundee started the game full of purpose and attack and peppered the Falkirk goal early on with a deflected free kick from Gary Harkins superbly saved by Robert Olejnik. Minutes later Craig McKeown had his headed effort cleared off the line. Dundee were sniffing blood and surely a goal was forthcoming? It arrived in the 7th minute courtesy of a fine cross from Gary Irvine on the right into the and Craig Forsyth was lurking with intent at the back post where he headered the ball past the keeper and into the far corner of the net. Dundee deserved the goal.
Dundee looked intent on grabbing that crucial second and Griffiths had a great chance but his shot was tipped over by Olejnik.
Falkirk looked very toothless in terms of attack but kept the ball fairly well when in possession. Midway through the first half and Falkirk thought they should have had a penalty. A Burton O'Brien throughball caused Dundee's defence problems allowing Stewart to reach the ball the oncoming Rab Douglas and attempted to lob the Dundee keeper. Weston managed to clear the ball and Falkirk players protested furiously that Douglas had fouled Stewart after the lob and that they should have had a penalty.
Falkirk then had a chance from a free kick with McLean headering a shot at goal which Rab Douglas pushed behind for a corner. Things didn't improve attacking wise for Falkirk and attempted attacks before the break resulted in frustration ending in offisides or over hit passes.
Shortly before the break however, Dundee should have got the second that they were craving for when a mistake from the Falkirk defender Khalis allowed Griffiths the space to run into and was in a one on one situation with the oncoming Falkirk keeper but his lob over the keeper beat him but hit the bar. Desperately unlucky for the Wolves bound Griffiths.
The second half resulted in frustration for Dundee as their slick play ultimately prematurely broke up before any real cut chances on the Falkirk goal. Each and every single player in Dark Blue were playing out of their skins for the cause and Harkins and O'Donnell in midfield were excellent. Falkirk had a bit more possession but didn't really look like troubling the Dundee goal apart from a chance in the Dundee box which resulted in Gary Irvine bravely putting his head in the firing line to block the shot which then drifted out for a corner. That block saw the Dundee fans stand and applaud in sheer appreciation. Falkirk were reduced to 10 men late on when a Finnigan rather needlessly punched the ball into the net from a corner and with him being on a yellow card,  the referee had no option to show him the second yellow followed swiftly by the red. Trialist, Tom Brighton, who put in a great shift alongside Griffiths up front, was replaced by the young Leighton McIntosh in the 90th minute for a short run out.
Final whistle came and the players were rightly applauded and cheered off the pitch, a scene which epitomised the spirt and bond between the supporters and the players at this moment in time. The last Dundee player to leave the pitch was Leigh Griffiths. The Wolves bound youngster made time to acknowledge the support by taking a lap of honour in front of the main stand, Bobby Cox Stand and South Enclosure which resulted in a huge standing ovation of thanks from the Dundee fans who will never forget the efforts and goals from a player that they have taken to heart ever since entering Dens Park in 2009.


DUNDEE:

Douglas,
Irvine, McKeown, Weston, Lockwood*
Riley* O'Donnell, Harkins, Forsyth
Brighton (McIntosh 90') Griffiths

Unused subs: Gibson, Benedictus, Stewart, Rennie

Goal: Forsyth 7'

FALKIRK

Olejnik
Mitchell (Duffy 46) Khalis,* McLean*, Twaddle
Murdoch (Compton 46) O'Brien*, Millar* (Higginbotham 77), Flynn
Finnigan**, Stewart


Unused subs: Barclay, Scobbie.

Key : *Booked ** Sent off.

Monday 17 January 2011

LEIGH TO RETURN FOR ONE MORE MATCH!

It has been confirmed that Leigh Griffiths will return to the Dundee team for Saturday's home tie with Falkirk as he looks to say farewell to the Dens Park supporters and in turn allow the Dundee fans to show him the appreciation that he deserves in his 18 month stint as a Dee.

Sunday 16 January 2011

DEES EARN WELL DESERVED POINT

Dundee earned a valuable point in a hard fought battle with Dunfermline atEast End Park to extend the Dark Blues 10 game unbeaten run in the league to 11 and their sixth clean sheet in a row in the league.

Friday 14 January 2011

LIVI MAKE CLAIM OVER "UNPAID GRIFFITHS TRANSFER"

Chief Executive of Livingston FC Ged Nixon, has claimed in an interview with the BBC that Livingston are owed money from the transfer of Leigh Griffiths in 2009. He claims that both clubs had agreed that the transfer would be paid in two parts and Nixon claims that whilst the first payment was paid into Livingston's bank account, the second payment was not paid into Livi's account but that of a private individual.
"It's a football debt because the agreement is between Dundee and Livi" claims Nixon.


 For full interview go to : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/livingston/9362640.stm

DUNDEE FAIL WITH SFA APPEAL

Dundee have failed in their bid for their 25 points deduction to be reduced and for the lifting of the transfer embargo that was placed on the Dark Blues due to the club entering administration in October 2010. Rod McKenzie, top sports lawyer, was charged in breathing life in our appeal to the SFA but ultimately failed to overturn the decision in the court, presided over by Lord Carloway and a three man SFA panel. The result of the appeal sees Dundee plunge from second in the league with 32 points to bottom with 7 points. Harry MacLean, Chief Executive spoke of his disappointment to BBC Sport.

"Our initial reaction is severe disappointment but we don't want to go into it too deeply at this point"
MacLean further added: "We've been to the Scottish Football League, we've been to the SFA and as things stand we're just probably going to abide by the decision, pick ourselves up and get on with it"
Bryan Jackson, Dundee FC administrator spoke to Dundee FC online tonight too and expressed his views of the outcome.
"Whilst I did not expect the points deduction to be overturned, I did believe that there was a valid case for a significantly smaller deduction than has been imposed. Rod McKenzie, of law firm Harper Macleod, made an excellent case and we did win one of the points. This is that the date of the 31st March when further sanctions could be implemented by the SFL was rejected and, as a result, we received our financial deposit back which at least vindicates our decision to appeal"
Jackson further added:
"We were advised that we will receive a written explanation of the judgement in due course which will, hopefully, provide some answers about why our appeal was rejected. Whilst the sanctions are an unfortunate obstacle the main objective remains the continued survival of the club.”

Bryan concluded his statement by saying: "I shall be continuing with the planned Creditors Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) and the next stage of that has a provisional date of the 4th February for a CVA meeting. Until then the job of keeping the club going continues"
Although a huge disappointment, there was a slight boost in that further sanctions will not be placed upon the club if we are still in administration in March as the SFL clause has been overturned.

Dundee take on Dunfermline at East End Park tommorow and the best way to start to get over this decision is for the boys to take all three points as we march on our way to survival in the First Division and as a football.


Sources:
http://www.http//news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee/9300503.stm
 
http://www.thedees.co.uk/

Wednesday 12 January 2011

FROM ONE DEN(S) TO THE WOLVES DEN.



It looks increasingly likely that star striker Leigh Griffiths will be departing Dens Park after it emerged a £150,000 deal has been offered from English Premier side Wolves and it is expected the 20 year old will join the Molinuex club within the next 24-48hrs pending a medical. The Edinburgh born striker has been with Dundee for the last 18 months after his switch in the summer of 2009 which saw Livingston bag a cool £115,000. The striker played in Dundee's defeat to Motherwell at Dens in the Scottish Cup on Sunday and was later sent off and it seems likely that that game was his last in a dark blue shirt.

We would like to wish Leigh all the best for his future career down south and would like to thank him for what all he has done for Dundee FC.


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





Tuesday 11 January 2011

DIRE DUNDEE CRASH OUT OF CUP.

DUNDEE 0-4 MOTHERWELL

A dismal performance  from Dundee saw Motherwell come away from Dens with a convincing 4-0 victory and passage to the 5th round of the Scottish Cup. Goals from Sutton (2), Murphy and Jennings eased the Steelmen through against a Dundee side, which was unbeaten in 10 games, which looked dire, tired and unmotivated. The only consolation for the Dark Blues is that we can now concentrate on the league but will be missing Leigh Griffiths who was sent off for a reckless and idiotic challenge which will mean he will miss the next three Dundee games.

Saturday 8 January 2011

£200,000 BARRIER BROKEN

The amount raised by the fantastic Dundee fans has broken the £200k barrier. In a superb effort of fundraising since the club was plunged into administration in October 2010, the fans have raised £206,022. All Dees should be very proud of this fantastic achievement.

DUNDEE V MOTHERWELL, SCOTTISH CUP 4TH ROUND

Dundee FC welcome Scottish Premier League side Motherwell to Dens tommorow in the 4th round of the Scottish Cup. Dundee have a full squad to chose from apart from injured Nicky Riley who will be replaced by on loan Hearts midfielder Johny Stewart, whereas Motherwell welcome back Steven Jennings but lose striker Nick Blackman who has returned to Blackburn Rovers after a loan spell with the Steelmen.

The game should be on after volunteers helped clear the pitch and South Enclosure at Dens today but the club have asked for volunteers for 9am tommorow to help clear the rest of the snow.

Tuesday 4 January 2011

TRANSFER EMBARGO RE-INSTATED.

Although Dundee FC are appealing the decision of the SFL to deduct us 25 points and a transfer embargo for entering administration, the SFL have successfully appealed to the SFA to re-instate the transfer embargo upon Dundee FC, even though all penalties should be temporarily removed as DFC have decided to appeal the decision.

Monday 3 January 2011

THE ROOF CAVES IN AT DENS.......

Dens Park sustained some damage last week when burst pipes led to a part of the roof inside the main stand collapsing resulting in water damage to the treatment room, kitroom and dressing rooms. Also, due to the bad weather, part of the guttering on the Main Stand had to be replaced.

DUNDEE 2-0 ROSS COUNTY

Dundee maintained their great run of form with a 2-0 home win over Ross County. 4725 turned up at Dens to witness Dundee's 10th game unbeaten and 5th win on the bounce, courtesy of goals from Matt Lockwood and Gary Harkins.

Full report please go to:
http://www.dundeefc.co.uk/news_detail.asp?newsid=1409