THE HDB'S FIRST "HOME" GEMME
And so the 16th April 2005 finally arrived , the day the HDB's had been waiting a lonnnnnnnngg time for.Nae early starts,nae 280 mile drive,nae snow,rain,fog or ice to contend with just get up, go to the Chieftan Hotel ,drink some beer and watch Dundee pick up another 3 points on their stroll to premier league safety!!!If only life in a dark blue shirt went as planned eh?
Derek and myself were up and about sharp to get the screen and projector, sound system, DVD's etc tested and working prior to the arrival of the invading Dee's,a ahort while later Mao,Jabba,Iain,John and the others started arriving to get flags and posters in place to give the Cheiftan a Dundee "feel".At 10.30 the first thirsty Dee's started arriving,"Bar open yet lads,thats some drevh eh!"(like we didnae ken!!)after checks with the hotel that 200 pehs were on a slow heat and Magners was chilling time to get things started
Mao organises the organisers
Derek happy selling DVD's
The pre match Caley Swalley gets underway
Toastmeister Garry Hopkins made a welcoming speech to the traveling hordes,welcoming them on their first visit to Inverness on league business,along with a few well timed comments as to why the Pehs were late!!!(Ewe all know why).Next up, we were treated to a superb piping performance by Gordi Straube,which helped set the highland tone for the day,Dereks DVD went down a storm and copies were selling like proverbial hot pehs,talking of which.......
Tickets were sold for the Raffle which was due to take place with Dee legend Bobby Wilson kindly turning up to do the business of presenting prezzes
Gordi performs for the Dee's
Toastmiester and Oor Bobby
Prez winner wi Bobby (Cahirman gets intae every fotee)
With the Swalley now in full swing, ahbody was in great form, the craic was good and the beer was flowing,time flew by, the pehs arrived and were devoured in record time,kick of time was looming and time for the Dees to move en- masse to "Tulloch's" Stadium
Pre Caley Swally in full swing
Highland Dark Blues take their seats
Dee's end fills up
And so the gemme got under way,unfortunateley, like many games this season the tremendous efforts and endeavours of the supporters was not matched by those piad to do the job and a dissapointing display ended with a slightly flattering 3-2 scoreline,but taking Soutars 2 ,(well 3 actually)superb penalty saves the deficit could have been worse!!!
Being a HDB doesn't allow long for wallowing in self pity and with Phil and Karen Harpers going away doo still to come it was hame for a quick scrub and back to the Chieftan for mair swalley's........On arrival at the Chieftan the Dee's who were staying over for a Stag night were already ensconnsed in the lounge in hawaian attire and with there own "pre Stag " entertainment in full swing!( I wont go into detail but suffice to say Innes will be able to miss a couple of biology lessons and Cahirman was last seen lying down in a darkened room)
As the Stags headed into town Phil and Karens doo carried on with Derek performing admirably on the decks again and toaster was once more on his feet doing the needful,Phil, having earlier in the day handed over a new flag to the HDB's was presented along with a qaiuch, flowers for Karen and Agnes, Dee's romper for Sammi and a wee something for Adam, along with the HDB's flag signed by all as permenant reminder of all his comrades in the Heilans
Little and Large
Phil and Karen
Phil and Cahirman with the fishul signed flag
HDB's and flag say farweel tae Phil
Drinkin,Dancin and Kerryin on went on for the rest oh the night and a great time was had by all despite the result of the day,as Garry mentioned, you kinda get used to it being a DEE,maks the odd good times even better,ah well now for an" interesting" run in eh!!!