Saturday, December 23, 2006

Friday, December 22, 2006

Joe Strummer R.I.P



Remembering Joe Strummer today who died 4 years ago, I was lucky enough to see The Clash 4 times and The Mescaleros 3 times. Joe is the best front man I have seen and no one get's close. His music will live for ever.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Statement From The Club.

Following the disciplinary problems at Clyde FC on the 16th of December regarding our player Andy McLaren, the Club and the player have held frank and open discussions regarding the matter, and it has been mutually agreed to terminate Andy McLaren’s contract forthwith. Whilst the Club won’t condone such indiscipline, it does though respect the player’s willingness to accept that his actions have brought the Club into disrepute, and we sincerely wish him well for the future.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Clyde 2 Dundee 1, Broadwood, 16/Dec/06

In what was a vital game for both clubs, Dundee again lost away from home. In a tight first half Clyde scored on 35 minutes when poor defending let Arbuckle to score from 8 yards. Worse was to follow when Jay Shields gave away a penalty and it was 2-0 at the break.

Dundee tried hard to get back into the game in the second half, but like so many times this season we can't play the simple ball. We did get a wee lifeline with 5 minutes to go , Alex Rae was fouled in the box and Gavin Swankie made it 2-1. What was to follow was total madness from Andy McLaren, he first got booked when he tangled with the goalkeeper, then got send off after clashing with Eddie Malone, then got a second red card in the tunnel after the linesman spotted Andy punching a Clyde player when leaving the pitch. Then he got a third Red Card for kicking a hole in the Ref's door.

Andy might not play for the club again and he will get hammered by the league. Dundee will decide Andy's fate on Wednesday.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Boy Kill Boy



Going to Dundee tomorrow night to see Boy Kill Boy at Fat Sam's, should be a good gig for this up and coming band. And it's the last date of the tour, and it's sold out.

Rumors

Rumors have been circulating around Arbroath websites that Dundee are interested in signing Bryan Scott in the summer when he is a free agent. Bryan signed for Arbroath in the summer and before signing for Arbroath, he played for junior side, Scone Thistle. He is a striker and in his first game for Arbroath against Queen's Park at Hampden, he scored 2 and set up 1.
Bryan is quite tall, at a height of 5 foot 11 inches and has scored 5 goals for Arbroath so far this season and has also picked up 5 yellow cards.
He will be a free agent in the summer when it is understood Dundee intend to sign him. A couple of Arbroath sites have suggested this move may happen but only time can tell.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Perth and The Build-up for Clyde

Dundee lost 2-1 at Perth on Saturday, losing two soft goals in the first half. Gavin Swankie scored a good goal in between. We changed things in the second half and pushed the Saints back and Derek Lyle should have scored, after a great flowing move. Jay Shields played the second half and looked very much the part.
Czech trialist Ondrej Novotny scored on his debut for Dundee in a bounce game against city rivals Dundee United, we won the game 3-2 and Alex rae had 7 trialists in his squad. Gary McKenzie scored as well, the young defender is on his comeback after being injured for the last two and a half months.
Former Dundee midfielder Darren Magee has been found dead at his parents’ home in Glasgow. My thoughs are with his family.

Dundee's Tennent's Scottish Cup cup tie v Queen of the South will be played on Saturday 6 January 2007. Dundee United will play on the Sunday. Great I can have a beer now.
Brian McGinty will return to St.Mirren after his latest injury, the on loan striker has not been able to play enough games to really impress.

Novotny impresses in Dens trial

CZECH TRIALIST Ondrej Novotny made a promising initial impression on Dundee yesterday, scoring for them in a 3-2 win over neighbours Dundee United in a hastily arranged bounce game at Dens Park.
And the 18-year-old FK Jablonec front man last night revealed his hopes of following fellow countryman Jiri Jarosik and Libor Sionko into the SPL.
“I’ve watched Jiri Jarosik since he came to Scotland,” said Novotny, who hopes to join the Dark Blues on loan for the remainder of the season. “I saw him play very well against Man United in the Champions League when Celtic won and that tells me that Scotland is a very good place to come and play and, of course, I would like to.
“Jarosik is quite a big name in Czech football—maybe not as big as Pavel Nedved—but he’s still well known having played in the Premiership and now at a big club like Celtic.
“There is obviously Libor Sionko as well at Rangers who scored for them in their last game.
“What I’ve noticed about Scottish football is that it’s very fast, physical and there’s a lot of hard tackles.
“But I like that style of play. I think I could handle it and it would make me a bigger, stronger player.
“That was what struck me after watching the St Johnstone v Dundee game last weekend.
“I enjoyed the game against Dundee United. It was competitive like all derbies and that’s something I like.
“I’m here on trial until Sunday so we’ll wait and see what happens after that. It will be up to my club and Dundee if something is going to happen.”
The friendly was put together after United’s planned reserve fixture with St Mirren and a closed doors game the Dark Blues had organised at Stirling Albion fell victim of the weather.
Meanwhile, news that Steve Tosh is being released by Gretna has provoked interest at Dens

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Eagles in Great Escape

Cupar Eagles entertained Six Regular Guys in their last game of the season needing to take at least a point and hoping Kemback would lose to escape relegation.
Eagles were well up for this and confidence was at an all time high with a three match unbeaten run going into this last fixure. Beachope was first to threaten the Regular Guys goal with a rasping shot that flew inches over the bar and Pryde was unlucky with a snap shot as Eagles came out of the traps quickest. The first goal duly arrived for the Eagles after interlinking play involving Pryde and Beachope before Halley swivelled inside the box where he unleashed an unstopable shot past the keeper. McLuckie came on for Mullen midway through the first half. Regular Guys equalised soon afterwards but the Eagles went back in front when McLuckie beat two defenders and laid the ball to Halley where he made no mistake from six yards out to regain the lead. Marshall came on for Syme but the Regular Guys replied swiftly before the break to level matters once again.
In the second half play was bogged down into a midfield battle and with the wind getting up chances for both teams were restricted. Eagles made their final substitution with Martin coming on for Pryde. A great ball out of defence by Syme and Marshall was on it like a flash were he quickly found the unmarked Halley with a delicate chip over the Regular Guys defence where the yougster brought the ball down and scored with a glorious lob over the stranded Regular Guys keeper to the delight of the Eagles following. Parity was restored when a Beachope pass back was intercepted and although McGregor got a hand to the ball it found its way into the back of the net as the game finished in a three all draw.
With Kemback beaten the realisation of the great escape from relegation soon became apparent with joyous scenes within the Eagles camp.
Final Score: Cupar Eagles 3 Six Regular Guys 3
Eagles line up:
1. Roy McGregor
2. John Mullen
3. Ally Syme
4. Gary Pryde
5. Andrew Beachope
6. Craig Halley
Subs:
7. Greg McLuckie
8. Tommy Marshall
9. Walter Martin

Friday, December 08, 2006

Xmas Night Out




If you fancy something of a change, then head down to Ferraris, Dundee. For The Ferraris Dark Blues Xmas Rock Fest.
For just £5 it's the bargain of the season.

St.Johnstone Build-up.

Meanwhile Brian McGinty will miss Saturday's trip to Perth after injuring his hamstring again and Jon Boggan has went down with a unknown bug. Alex Rae is hoping Gavin Swankie and Brian Griffin will be fit.

Meanwhile, fellow centre-half Greg Strong is mulling over an offer to extend his stay at Dens.The former Livi man’s contract expires at the end of the year and the Dark Blues would like him to extend that deal until the end of the season.However, while Strong has admitted he is enjoying himself at the club, he has asked for a week to weigh up his options before giving an answer.

Gavin Swankie, Danny Griffin and Jon Boggan should be fit for this weekend, it's great that Alex Rae has just about a full squad to pick from.

Dundee's Callum McDonald has joined Peterhead on loan until middle of January. Coming to Dens on loan is Hibs youngster Jay Shields, his brother Dene plays for Gretna.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Dark Blues line up Czech duo

Dundee are to welcome two highly-rated young players from the Czech Republic to Dens next week with a view to possibly taking the pair on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
Dark Blues chief executive Dave MacKinnon has struck a deal with Czech side Jablonec which will see striker Ondrej Novotny (18) and midfielder Pavel Patka (19) arrive at the club on Monday, along with a coach.
“They are coming over for a week to see what they think of us and we think of them and if everything is okay we’ll hopefully arrange to keep them here on loan for the rest of the season,’’ said MacKinnon.
“Both players are keen to come to Scotland because they believe that will assist their development and we feel this is definitely an avenue worth exploring.’’

Dundee 3 Ross County 1, Dens Park, 2-December-06

Dundee came back to beat Ross County on Saturday, in what was a game we should have won in the first half. It was well into the second half when Robertson put County ahead against the run of play. Robert Campbell did hit the post with a good strike.But in the final 15 minutes we scored 3 times, the first when player-boss Alex Rae finished with a well placed shot from the edge of the box, then a few minutes later Derek Lyle pounced on a mistake by County keeper Samson to put us 2-1 up. And then Andy McLaren scored the goal of the game running onto a long ball from our keeper Ludovic Roy taking a great first touch and cooly scoring with a classic strike. Kevin Mcdonald should have made it 4-1 right on time but put the ball over the bar from a great position.
A great 3 points and good as Gavin Swankie, Danny Griffin did not play.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Cupar Eagles Latest Match Report

Cupar Eagles fresh from their friendly 6 v 3 victory at the weekend over The Seagulls, took to the pitch against the champions elect Elvado. With the 8 v 1 defeat fresh in the minds of manager Marshall the last time these two teams met, it was with relief that he was able to field his strongest possible starting line up. Eagles started the brighter of the two teams with some slick passing play in evidence with the ball zipping from left to right as the Eagles went in seach of the opener. A shot from a fine angle from Halley almost produced dividends for the Eagles but the opposition keeper was alert and palmed the ball out for a corner. A move straight from the training ground saw a Pryde shot deflected onto the post and the chance was gone. A sad sight for the Eagles supporters was their Captain Mullen forced to leave the field through injury to be replaced by McLuckie after only 10 mins. It was against the run of play that Elvado took the lead, a speculative long ball was headed away by Syme only as far as the edge of the box where the Elvado striker lurked and a fortuitous shot just sneaked in at McGregors far post. The injuries continued for Eagles as Syme who had been strapped up to play succumb to his calf injury to be replaced by Marshall. Eagles pressed on for the equaliser and although chances came the Elvado keeper was in fine form and the half -time score read Eagles 1 v Elvado 0. The second half started as the first ended with more pressing from the Eagles, Marshall continued to dictate play from defence and this finally paid off, a ball out of defence was helped on its way by Halley to Pryde who burst through the Elvado defence to despatch the ball past the keeper for his first goal of the season. Eagles now had their wings spread and the game was there for the taking, then as so often this season, the killer blow, Elvado had the break of the ball from a McLuckie run, the ball zipped out to the right winger who then cut the ball back and suddenly the Eagles were behind. Marshall then made his final substitution, on came Martin, who although carrying a knee injury instantly made himself the hero as the big target man held the ball up long enough for Halley to arrive and then carve out the chance for Beauchop, who finished with gay aplomb. Chances continued by Elvado hung on for the draw. This season is now going the same as last with the Eagles finding form too late to match a significant tilt at the championship, and their supporters left to wonder of what might have been. Man of the Match Beauchop, next up for Eagles their final league fixture of this campaign against Six Regular Guys.Eagles:Roy McGregor, Ally Syme, John Mullen, Gary Pryde, Andrew Beauchop, Craig Halley.Subs:Greg McLuckie, Tommy Marshall, Walter Martin, Colin Clive