Dundee 1 Morton 0, Dens Park, Division One, 08/August/09.

A big crowd is inside Dens for the opening game against Morton, the game got underway and Dundee nearly got off to the perfect start when striker Colin McMenamin turning swiftly to fire in a snap-shot which keeper Bryn Halliwell did well to smother.It was never going to be easy and they faced the kind of obdurate opposition some would rather avoid at this stage.Peter Weatherson's flashing header as the first half simmered along proved that, with deputy Dark Blues keeper Tony Bullock relieved to see it flashing wide from Stevie Masterton's whipped corner.Then Jim Lauchlan was yellow-carded for rather crudely pulling back Weatherson before defensive partner Gary MacKenzie joined him in the referee's book for tripping Jim McAllister.McMenamin had another opportunity within minutes of the restart. Richie Hart's cross was near-perfect but despite his best efforts he couldn't connect at the far post.Sean Higgins, another close-season recruit, was denied by the outstretched hand of Halliwell in 55 minutes when you sensed a breakthrough wasn't far away.That arose in 56 minutes. Harkins' precise pass found Paul McHale whose centre picked out Higgins for him to cutely tuck the ball into the far corner of the net.The sense of relief simply spread. Scott's sides have never been known to go for the jugular although they did have openings in which they could have extended their lead, notably substitute Griffith's header from Harkins' angled cross going just a matter of inches wide before the end. Gary Harkins also hit the post after beating 4 men, he looks a great player and the steal of the season on this form.

Dundee: Bullock, Paton, Malone, McHale, MacKenzie, Lauchlan, Hart, Cameron (Kerr 75), McMenamin (Griffiths 68), Higgins, Harkins (Forsyth 87). Subs Not Used: A Trialist, Casement.
Att: 5,449
Ref: C Boyle

Good win for Dundee, and sets up the visit to Raith Rovers on Saturday, Gary Harkins was my MOM.

Lastest From Dens Park...

Colin Cameron has signed a new 1 year deal, after proving his fitness to manager Jocky Scott, Cameron’s deal will not be the last of the business done at Dens, with the manager keen to add two new defenders. Scott is in talks with a left-back and a centre-half. Its looks like Rab Douglas will miss the game v Morton, but Eric Paton should be fit. Really looking forward to today's game and the season in general.

Dundee 3 Royal Antwerp 3, Dens Park, Friendly, 03/August/09

Dundee lost a bad goal after just six minutes as a simple pass from Emmanuel Kenmogne, in behind Jim Lauchlan, released midfielder Marcos Roberto Rocha to lift the ball over the diving Tony Bullock and into an empty net. Front man Leigh Griffiths missed an opportunity to level when shooting straight at keeper Vincent van Trier while Gary MacKenzie looked to have equalised when powering in a header from Brian Kerr’s corner only for Bas Vervaeke to clear off the line as the Dark Blues pushed for parity. They really ought to have achieved it midway through the first-half when Mickael Antoine-Curier did well to steer the ball low across goal, taking out van Trier in the process. But with the goal at his mercy, Craig Forsyth, arriving just beyond the far post crashed his finish off the upright. Forsyth quickly made amends though, picking out Griffiths with a superb low cross that the former Livingston striker fired into the roof of the net. Antwerp, somewhat against the run of play, got their noses back in front on 31 minutes when Matthias Trenson finished off a fine overlapping run by picking out Darko Pivaljevic who rose above Forsyth and headed home via the inside of the post. But Dundee squared again within three minutes after Antoine-Curier, off a Gary Harkins feed, finally forced the ball home after his initial close-range finish came back off the woodwork. 2-2 at half-time it was a very lively friendly, with plenty goal mouth action.However the second half did not match , until the last 15 mins or so. Another terrific Forsyth delivery should have resulted in the Dark Blues taking the lead for the first time in the game but Antoine-Curier somehow failed to apply the neccessary finish. And Griffiths was thwarted by a decent block from Van Trier.
However, Antwerp always offered a threat and on 82 minutes Emmanuel Kenmogne poked a Geoffry Hairemans cross past Bullock. With a minute to go, though, substitute McMenamin slotted the ball past van Trier to save his side from defeat. A great move and right at the death only a terrific save from the Belgian keeper prevented Colin Cameron from snatching a victory.
Dundee:Bullock, Casement (Cowan 74), Malone (McMenamin 80), Kerr, MacKenzie, Lauchlan (Benedictus 65), Forsyth, Young(Cameron 87), Curier, Griffiths (Clarke 74), Harkins (Hart 46). Subs:Geddes, Higgins.
Att: 1,426
Referee:Matt Northcroft.

My MOM goes to Leigh Griffiths, he looks such a huge talent, and will score goals with his pace , movement and teamwork. The future looks good and really looking forward to this Saturday's game v Morton at Dens. Also a mention for The Antwerp fans, who backed their team well, hope they had a good time in Dundee. Heard some made Fat Sam's...

Dundee 5 Stranraer 0, Dens Park, Cis Cup, 01/August/09.

Dundee won 5-0 with goals from Sean Higgins(23),Gary Harkins(29), a double from Colin McMenamin(47+57) and a penalty from Leigh Griffiths(67). By reports Gary Harkins was outstanding..
Dundee: Bullock, Paton (Casement 49), Malone, McHale, Benedictus, Lauchlan, Hart, Cameron (Kerr 68), Higgins, McMenamin (Griffiths 55), Harkins. Subs Not Used: Forsyth, Geddes.
Attendance: 2,345
Referee: W Collum
Match report below..
http://www.thedees.co.uk/news_detail.asp?ID=2805

Forfar Ath 0 Dundee 1, Station Park, Friendly, 28/July/09.

Dundee won 1-0 at Forfar thanks to a Gary Harkins goal in the 75th minute, the midfielder scored from a free kick. Match report : http://www.thedees.co.uk/news_detail.asp?ID=2799 I missed the two last games due to work.

Arbroath 1 Dundee 1, Gayfield, Friendly, 27/July/09.

Dundee were held to a 1-1 draw against Arbroath at Gayfield last night. Paul Lunan gave the Lichties the lead after 63 minutes.However, their advantage was short-lived as Mikael Antoine-Curier netted for the visitors shortly after and despite some heavy pressure Arbroath hung on for a deserved draw.
Dundee: Bullock, Casement, Forsyth, McHale, Benedictus, Lauchlan (Timmons), Hart, Paton, Higgins, Cameron, Curier. Subs not used: Gray, Stark, Webster, Geddes.

Match report : http://www.thedees.co.uk/news_detail.asp?ID=2796 Meanwhile striker Bryan Deasley has went out on loan to Forfar for the rest of the season.

Dundee 1 Aberdeen 1, Dens Park, Friendly, 25/July/09.

Aberdeen got off to a belter of a start. Pace is the one thing the Pittodrie boss says the current squad has in abundance, so it was fitting that they were so quick off the mark. Only 13 seconds had elapsed when Stuart Duff played in Sone Aluko and he slotted the ball beyond Rab Douglas.If it was a bright start, it was also a bit of a false dawn. The game didn't exactly fizz into a frenzy. As is so often the case at such an embryonic stage of the season the play struggled to find any kind of urgency and a European tie seemed a million miles away. Dundee played their way back into it, putting the Aberdeen defence under pressure in the 21st minute. Andrew Considine could not get the ball cleared and having obstructed all-comers as he sought a lifetime to clear from the edge of his own box was eventually penalised, the referee awarding an indirect free-kick on the perimeter of the 18-yard box. Richie Hart touched it into the path of Eric Paton and he drilled it low into the bottom corner. Aberdeen had the opportunity to move ahead again a couple of minutes before half-time when Lee Miller was brought down in the box. But the striker's penalty was poor and Douglas saved.The second half started with Dundee manager Jocky Scott demonstrating the strength and depth he now has after a summer of transfer activity. He made nine changes, leaving just Eddie Malone and Hart from the starting line-up, and it allowed for a little bit of history with the Young brothers lining up against each other for the first time. Derek had begun the match for Aberdeen and was marshalling the same midfield area as his brother Darren after the interval. Dundee later switched Hart for Mickael Antoine Courier, while Aberdeen also shuffled things around. Darren Mackie got to stretch his legs, while Faoroese defender Rogvi Holme was also given an outing along with youngsters Sammy Stewart and Scott Ross.The changes gave the home side greater impetus and what little goalmouth action that came along after the break was courtesy of the First Division side. Craig Forsyth, cutting in from wide left of the Dundee midfield, bore down on Jamie Langfield's goal but the keeper was out to cut the angle and block the shot.It is a warning for the rest of the First Division and adds credence to the Dens Park side's status as one of the early favourites for promotion. But it is also a gentle warning for Aberdeen. They have bigger things to focus on this week and will have to raise their play accordingly.

Dundee: Douglas, Paton, Malone, McHale, McKeown, Benedictus, Hart, Kerr, McMenamin, Desley, Harkins.

I thought all the new players done well, and it's great we were able to field 2 different team nearly, I'm looking forward to the new season.

Borussia Monchengladbach 2 Dundee FC 0, 22/July/09

Dundee lost 2-0 to German side Borussia Monchengladbach, manager Jocky Scott was happy with the way Dundee played. 

FC Augsburg 2 Dundee FC 0, 21/July/09

Dundee lost 2-0 to German side FC Augsburg, the game played in Austria. 

Latest From Dens Park..

Dundee will play Royal Antwerp at Dens Park to finish their pre-season buildup.The Belgians will visit Dens Park on Monday, August 3. Royal Antwerp narrowly missed out on promotion to the Belgian First Division last season. Having finished third top of division two they safely negotiated the knock-out stage of the play-offs. But with Belgium’s top flight being reduced to 16 teams this term there was then a four-club round-robin competition for just one place and they lost out. Late news: Goalkeeper RabDouglas flew back to Scotland yesterday in search of a cure for an achilles tendon problem. Douglas left Dundee’s training camp in Uttendorf at lunchtime, aiming to make a hastily arranged appointment with a specialist in Edinburgh late last night. It’s not thought the complaint is serious but the Dark Blues decided to move swiftly in dealing with it in order to minimise the extent to which the players’ preparations for the new season might be disrupted. Meanwhile Dundee’s line up for the match v FC Augsburg will be: Bullock, Cowan, Malone, MacKenzie, Benedictus, Kerr, McHale, Young, Hart, McMenamin, Forsyth.
Tonight’s opponents are from the second Bundesliga, where for the past two years they have only narrowly avoided relegation.

Austrian Update...

Dundee arrived safely in Austria and got good training session's in on Friday. But torrential rain and thunder and lightning storms swept the Alps, Saturdays game against FC Hallwang was cancelled. With the downpoar the Dark Blues could not do the training they had planned. But the good news is on Monday they are back to their schedule. And now they will play in a glamour clash with top German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday. There will be plenty of opportunity now for the players to see action, and tomorrow’s clash with FC Augsburg means there will be two games in 24 hours before the squad fly home on Thursday to make ready for Aberdeen’s visit to Dens on Saturday. After his injury problems, defender Chris Casement will not be ready for either of the two midweek outings, but he has resumed full training and that’s a bonus. Goalkeeper Rab Douglas is feeling a calf and that’s restricting his work, but he is not causing concern.

Pre Season Games

Dundee will play FC Augsburgh in Austria on 21st of July, followed by games v Aberdeen at (Home) 25/July. Then Arbroath (Away) 27/July, followed by Forfar (Away) 28/July.

Dundee Sign Gary Harkins

Dundee FC have completed the signing of midfielder Gary Harkins from Partick Thistle for a fee of about £150,000. The 24-year-old, who scored 11 goals last season, had a year of his contract to run with the Glasgow club. Gary has signed a three year deal, it's a very good signing for the club, which will get the fans excited about next season. I'm really looking forward to next season.

Dundee Sign Brian Kerr...............

Dundee have completed the signing of former Inverness midfielder Brian Kerr on a free transfer. The 28-year-old left the relegated club at the end of the season after a short-term deal. Kerr trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Monday as they began their pre-season regime. He is the sixth summer addition to the Dens Park club after Leigh Griffiths, Chris Casement, Richie Hart, Sean Higgins and Pat Clarke. Kerr began his career at Newcastle, going on loan to Coventry and Livingston, before landing a permanent deal at Motherwell in 2004. His appearances at Fir park were limited due to a nine-month lay-off with a cruciate knee ligament injury. In 2007, the player moved to Hibernian and was a regular under John Collins, but he fell out of favour with the manager's successor, Mixu Paatelainen, and his contract was terminated in September 2008. Looks to be a good signing for the club.

Dundee Sign Leigh Griffiths

Great day for Dundee FC, they sign Leigh Griffiths on a 3 year deal, and reveal new Home ans Away strips , with new sponsors. Not too sure of the new strips, but will get my season ticket tomorrow..

Dundee Sign Chris Caseman

As expected Dundee have completed the signing of defender Chris Casement this afternoon. The 21 year old right back or centre half joins up on a three year contract after being released by Ipswich Town. Hopefully more signing this week, and if so it will build up Jocky Scott's squad quite nicely. I will get my season ticket this week. 

Lastest From Dens Park.......................

Dundee are being linked with Chris Casement, who has just left Ipswich Town, also the club are in talks with Livingston about long term target Leigh Griffiths, also linked with a move to the Dark Blues is exHibs, Motherwell, Inverness Caley Th midfielder Brian Kerr. Next week will see if these deals happen. 

Dundee Sign Pat Clarke....

Dundee have signed Pat Clarke on a three contract, the striker will give manager Jocky Scott more options next season. Welcome to Dens Park Pat, also reports say we are close to signing Brian Kerr. Ex player David O'Brien has signed for Ayr United.

Why I Started Doing This..............

It was because of changed shifts at my work..I had more days off in the month, also the 5 asides i used to play has broken up after about 20 years. So I decided to start cycling as a way to get some exercise, and also spend some time out in the summer weather.

Latest From Dens Park........

Reports say that DUNDEE have won the race to sign Gary Harkins for a fee of £100,000. The Partick Thistle midfielder is expected to put pen to paper before the week is out. Meanwhile, the Dens men will head to Austria next month for pre-season training. They will be at the Obertraun complex near Hallstatt from July 16 to 23 and hope to fix up one game.