Dundee have signed 23 year old Nicky Ross on a two year deal from Inverness Caley Thistle, Nicky has been at Caley Thistle since he was 17 and has made 150 appearances for the highland outfit. He played 30 games last season and came on as a sub in this years Scottish Cup Final.
Young striker Craig Wighton has joined Raith Rovers on loan, it will do him a lot of good in his progress as a future main striker for Dundee FC in the years to come.
Chairman Bill Colvin has stepped down as chairman and director of the club, he has also sold his shares which will likely see Tim Keyes join the board. Bill has done so much for the club to stabilise and move to a stronger sound footing which has been lacking for a lot of years.
Dundee will play Raith Rovers on the 15th of July, the game at Starks Park will have a 19:45 kick-off.
Kostadin Gadzhalov has signed a deal to stay at Dens for next season, the Bulgarian defender joined the club in January. It will be good for Kosta to get a Pre-Season under his belt.
Martin Boyle has been offered a new 1 year deal to stay at Dens, he has been on loan at Hibernian and done fine on his loan period.
Kilmac will be the main sponsors for Dundee FC next season, with Scott Fyffe will again have their name displayed on the back of the home shirts while their sister company Metro Motors will appear on the back of the away kit. Crown Engineering will again appear as the sponsor on the shorts.
It's good that local companies are backing Dundee Football Club next season.
Dundee have signed defender Julen Etxabeguren Leanizbarrutia on a three year deal. Julen had played for East Fife last season and previously played in Spain with Real Sociedad and will join the club for Pre Season training on the 1st of July.
Dundee have signed David Mitchell on a two year deal, the 25 year old keeper had been at Stranraer for the last six years. He made over 200 games for the blues and will push Scott Bain for the No 1 spot at Dens next season.
It was a very excited Dundee fan when Julian Speroni's Testimonial game was announced the 26th of May was perfect...then the date kicked into my mind. My wife was due to give birth to our second baby on the 2nd of June with the possibility of a early arrival. As my mates were making plans on how to get to London. I had to say that it would likely not be able to go.
After about two weeks as various posts on Facebook and Twitter of cheap trains, flights...I started to look and managed to get a train deal from Edinburgh to London Bride for just £28.80 each way, I talked things over with my wife Carmie and we agreed if the baby came along the week of the game then I would not get to go. So fingers were crossed for the safe arrival of our baby and l booked holidays from work either way it would be handy if the baby did come along early.
I booked the train and booked the Euro Queens Hotel in London which l could cancel if l gave them 48hrs notice which was a handy option to have. My mate Paul Scott booked the train, hotel as well so things were good travel wise, we then got tickets for the game which were priced great for the fans.
Then bang Train strike was announced for the bank holiday Monday which would affect our travel plans, Plan B was put in place in case the strike went ahead. Meanwhile the Hospital had decided that my wife would have a caesarean operation on the 18th of May so all going well the London trip was looking on. Thankfully everything went well with our baby boy was born on the 18th of May and both Mum and baby Alexander were fine and healthy. They both got home on the Wednesday afternoon so it was good as had nearly a week to settle in at home.
Thankfully the rail strike was cancelled so l booked my train to Edinburgh and l set off on the 06:25am train from Cupar and Paul got on at Markinch and it arrived in plenty of time for the 08:00am train to Kings Cross, a few. Dundee fans including Steve Schoppler who I have known since around 1982. The journey went very quick and we arrived on time and made our way to London Bridge we used a Oyster card after this which proved very handy to get around London quickly.
We made our way to Crystal Palace train station as our Hotel was about 10 minutes walk, and thanks to Paul talking to google on his phone we got the directions quickly, we booked in and had a quick shower and then out to make our way to Norwood Junction, before that we had a quick pint in the The White Hart and it good to see a few Dundee fans going about. We arrived in good time and made our way to The William Stanley Pub which was very busy with Dundee fans and it was good to see a few well known faces. Everyone were in good spirits and it was a great atmosphere before we made our way up to the ground which was about a 10 minute walk away.
It was clear to see that the Dundee fans had travelled down in numbers as we walked up to the ground got a wristband and programme which was pretty big, but looked a great effort. Once inside the ground was rocking it was going to be a special night. Plenty old songs were being sung for the Legends who would play later in the game, Julian Speroni was given a Guard of honour onto the pitch with the home support putting on a brilliant display for their hero.
Dundee' starting line up was ; Gourlay, Irvine, McGinn, McPake, McAlister, Stewart, Tankulic, Gadzhalov, Adam, Carreiro, Wighton. Subs; Konrad, Nemsadze, John Black, Andy Black , Kerr, Colquhoun, Caballero, Sara, Carranza, Ketsbaia.
Palace started the game well and pinned Dundee back the pace down both wings were causing Dundee problems, it was no surprise when they opened the scoring after six minutes. Superb trickery by Wilfried Zaha on the right had the Dundee defence in knots. His low cross was deflected and it took a great save by Kyle Gourlay to keep the ball out. Sadly for the young keeper the ball fell for Yannick BOLASIE who hammered the ball against the keeper and into the net.
Charlie Adam, appearing courtesy of Stoke City, gave Speroni his first test with a low 20 yarder that the man of the night took comfortably. Dundee then had a good spell passing the ball around smartly in the Palace half. Greg Stewart ended a patient move with a 20 yard shot that was deflected just wide. More good play from Stewart set up Adam to crash a volley over the bar.
Gourlay saved well when Chung-yong Lee tried to chip him, but the youngster was out of luck when Zaha took a pot shot from distance. Gourlay couldn't hold the ball and LEE rolled the ball into the net. The pace and skill of Zaha and Bolasie were a cut above anything the Dark Blues have to face in Scotland, and the Palace wingers were giving an impressive exhibition of wing play. It was no surprise when the pressure led to a third goal. Dwight GAYLE worked a clever, fast move with Zaha, cut inside and smashed the ball past Gourlay.
Dundee responded with a fine goal of their own. Charlie Adam stepped up a gear to race through the midfield and slip a pass through for Dylan Carreiro to shoot past Speroni.
The goal gave the Dee a boost and Julian Speroni made the save of the match to stop Adam pulling another goal back. Adam fired in a rocket from the edge of the box that Speroni parried superbly. He then recovered quickly to keep out Tankulic's follow up header.
Palace's razor sharp raiders promptly punished the Dark Blues with a swift counter attack for goal number four when Lee raced into the penalty area to set up GAYLE for a tap in.
In the last action of a highly competitive first half Gourlay did well to hold a ferocious shot from Bolasie. Crystal Palace replaced their whole team at half time, sending on a team of old favourites for cameo appearances with fresh old faces coming on every few minutes. The Dark Blues made fewer changes and had the better of the second half.
The big travelling Dees were delighted to see their own old favourites appearing; Juan Sara, Fabian Caballero, Beto Carranza, Temuri Ketsbaia and Georgi Nemsadze all came on to great acclaim.
Juan Sara seemed to have pulled a goal back when he was sent clear and lobbed Speroni. To the delight of the crowd Julian managed to get back and make a fantastic save, tipping the ball onto the crossbar and away to safety.
The substitution that brought the second loudest cheer from the home fans was the arrival of the hugely popular Palace manager Alan Pardew. The loudest applause was of course reserved for Julian Speroni's substitution after 70 minutes. The travelling Dees responded by singing non-stop for Julian Speroni to come back on for Dundee. They were delighted when they got their wish after just a few minutes. The Palace fans also rose to applaud their hero when he returned to the pitch for the visitors.
Charlie Adam came back on for the last quarter of an hour and injected some serious intent into Dundee's attacks. After 85 minutes Charlie Adam took a pass from Ketsbaia and scored with a crisp low shot from 18 yards.
Only a minute later Cammy Kerr went rampaging down the left, cut inside and flashed home a great finish for the last goal of the night. The final score of 4-3 did not matter on the night it was a special night for Julian Speroni who is a fantastic goalkeeper and I'm glad I never missed this occasion.
The Referee was Dermot Gallagher and the final attendance was 11,509
Teams for the game and subs used were as follows Palace: Speroni, Ward, Hangeland, Delaney, Ramage, Zaha, McArthur, Bannan, Bolasie,Lee, Gayle. Second half players: Matt Lawrence, Danny Butterfield, Chris Morgan, Neil Ashton, Alan Pardew, Clinton Morrison, John Salako, Aki Riihilahti, Christian Pedercini, Ezequil Speroni, Mariano Borsalino, Lewis Price, Hiram Boateng, Sullay Kaikai, Jake Gray, Cristian Barrionuevo, John Fendley.
Dundee: Gourlay (Speroni 77), Paul McGinn (Andy Black HT), McPake, Gadzhalov (Konrad HT), Irvine (Kerr HT), Carreiro (Carranza 55, John Black 83), McAlister (John Black 61, Nemsadze 75), Adam (Colquhoun HT, Adam 75), Stewart (Ketsbaia 55), Tankulic (Sara 55), Wighton (Caballero 55)
After the game we went back into the centre but got lost after taking a wrong turn, luckily enough a couple of Palace fans gave us directions, and it was wonderful that 5 minutes later they stopped in their car and gave us a lift back down to the centre which summed up how friendly the Palace fans had been. We went for a couple of pints and met Phil Kirk and friends so it was great to meet up and have a chat about the game, the owners of the pub ordered us a taxi so we would all get back to our hotels safely which was brilliant way to finish the night. I got to my bed around half-past one so it was not too late.
Up early the next morning and had my breakfast before leaving for the journey back home, so back to Kings Cross where we had a walk about had some refreshments and met other Dundee fans including The Fife Dark Blues and some members of The Capital Dark Blues, our train left at 3pm and the journey back north was quick , in no time we were back in Edinburgh and we got the 21:08 train back to Cupar.
This was the best away trip since watching Dundee FC since likely Perugia in Italy in 2003.
And l have found out since l got home that my Son Alexander shares the same Birthday as Julian Speroni how wonderful is that.
Keeper Kyle Letheren has also left the club at the end of his contract he has been at Dens for the last two seasons and will always remembered for his wonder save against Dumbarton when the club sealed promotion to the SPFL Premiership on the last day of the season.
Young players Calvin Colquhoun, Matty Allan and Andy Black have all signed extended deals with the club. The future of this club is with the young ones.
Dundee have signed Queen of the South defender Kevin Holt on a three year contract, his fee will be decided by a tribunal after both clubs failed to agree a fee.
Dundee have signed striker Kane Hemmings on a three year deal. Manager Paul Hartley tried to get him last season before the striker chose to go to Barnsley. He has pace and can score goals he played along side Greg Stewart at Cowdenbeath.
Dundee FC have released the following players after their contracts have run out: Midfielder Kevin McBride, Defenders Willie Dyer, Kyle Benedictus, Strikers Paul Heffernan and David Clarkson. The club have come to mutual consent with Iain Davisonson and Jamie Reid.
Young players Calum Brodie, Lee Cameron, Dale Davidson and Ben Sivewright have also all left the club.
Good luck to all the players on their future and finding new clubs.
Pre-Season Games So Far........
18th July: Brechin City (Away)
21st July: Rotherherham United (Home)
24th July: Wigan (Home)
Dundee Und 3, Dundee 0, Tannadice, SPFL Premiership, 24-May-2015
Dundee lost 3-0 in their final league game of the season, Dundee started the game well and looked the more dangerous side but a breakaway United took the lead in the 8th minute a long ball over the Dundee defence caught them square and Ciftci raced clear and he managed to get passed Dundee keeper Letheren who completely missed the ball to score. Worse was to follow for the Dark Blues when Referee Madden pointed to the spot after Thomas Konrad had fouled Ciftici in the box. It looked a bit soft but the United striker made it 2-0. That was the half-time score with maybe only a Tankulic shot which forced the United keeper into a save.
Second half was only five minutes old and the home side made it 3-0 when after a good passing move put Spittal in the clear and he beat Letheren to score. This ended the game as a contest and sadly for Dundee they were just good enough on the day. We were bullied all over the park and hope Dundee add more strength to their line up for next season.
This was Kyle Letheren's last game for the club result wise he would have wished for better, Kyle will be remembered for that save against Dumbarton which sealed the championship last season.
Dundee: Letheren, Irvine (c), Paul McGinn, McPake, Konrad (Gadzhalov) 45'), Ferry (Harkins 59 mins), Stephen McGinn (Wighton 67') , McGowan, McAlister, Stewart, Tankulic
Subs Not Used: Brodie, Colquhoun, Black
Ref: B. Madden
Att: 10,812
Dundee 1, Aberdeen 1, Dens Park, SPFL Premiership, 16-May-2015
Dundee drew 1-1 with their North East Rivals in a game Dundee should have won, but a late Adam Rooney goal won a point for the Dons. Dundee had taken the lead just before half-time when good play put Tankulic clear and the striker lobbed keeper Brown to score.
In the second half Dundee had chances to make sure of the win with good efforts from Stewart and McGowan. Then in the fourth minute of injury time Rooney levelled from close range. I don't know where the Ref got 4 minutes from as there were no injuries. But that is football sometimes!
Dundee: Letheren, Paul McGinn, McPake, Gadzhalov, Irvine, Colquhoun, Thomson, McGowan, McAlister (Stephen McGinn HT), Stewart, Tankulic (Harris 81). Unused Subs: Brodie (gk), Black, Ferry, Harkins, Wighton
Ref: E.Anderson
Att: 6,434
Dundee 0, Inverness Caley Thistle 1, Dens Park, SPFL Premiership, 09-May-2015
Dundee lost again this time to a early ICT goal when Ofere headed home in the 8th minute. going by reports Dundee played a wee bit better than the last home game against St Johnstone, and were maybe unlucky not to get a draw with McAlister and McPake going close for the home side.
Inverness CT sealed European football with this win so well done to them. Something Dundee should be aiming to build for in the coming seasons.
Dundee: Letheren, Paul McGinn, McPake, Konrad, Dyer, Stephen McGinn (Wighton 75), Thomson (Harkins 81), McGowan, McAlister, Stewart, Tankulic. Unused Subs: Brodie (gk), Clarkson, Colquhoun, Irvine, Ferry
Ref: D.Robertson.
Att: 5,123
Celtic 5, Dundee 0, Celtic Park, SPFL Premiership, 01-May-2015
Dundee went down to a heavy defeat at the hands of Champions Celtic, Dundee's display tonight was way short of what is required at grounds like this in the league. It was 2-0 at half-time with Griffiths(29) heading home, Brown made it 2 nil after 36 minutes.
Second half was mainly one way traffic and Commons (71) made it 3-0 from the spot, soon after it was 4-0 when Forrest(77) scored a fine solo goal. The final goal was on the 90th minute when Bitton curled home a beauty from 30 yards out.
Dundee: Bain, Paul McGinn, McPake, Konrad, Dyer, Ferry (Heffernan 69, Clarkson 88), Thomson
Harris (Colquhoun 60), Stephen McGinn, McAlister, Tankulic. Unused Subs: Letheren (gk), Irvine, Gadzhalov, Harkins
Ref: B.Madden
Att: 44,299
Dundee 0, St Johnstone 2, Dens Park, SPFL Premiership, 25-April-2015
Dundee gave a very flat performance in this game with Perth Saints coming out well deserved winners by Two goals to nil. Dundee offered very little in the first half and were lucky to go in all square at the break.
Perth Saints did take the lead when Swanson cut inside and shot across goal beat Dundee keeper Scott Bain to open the scoring. It looked a soft one to lose and things got worse soon after when Greg Stewart got sent off for a second bookable offence. The six minutes later Bain saved well from a Swanson shot, the ball fell kindly to Wotherspoon who's shot was going wide until Iain Davidson stuck out a leg and put the past Bain and into the net.
Dundee made changes but Perth Saints were well in command and ran out worthy winners, with this result European place looks very difficult now.
Dundee: Bain, Paul McGinn, McPake, Konrad (Davidson, half time), Dyer, McGowan, Thomson, McAlister, Stewart, Heffernan (Tankulic 56), Clarkson (Wighton 64). Unused Subs: Letheren (gk), Black, Stephen McGinn, Harris
Ref: C.Thomson
Att:6,530
