Untitled Document

AN EMOTIONAL DOO

Saturday 11th December was an emotional day for all connected with the Highland Dark Blues SC. We had scheduled our Christmas Party Night at the Crown Court Hotel to coincide with the away fixture at Ibrox rather than a home match.

But before the day had even started,we were to discover that HDB stalwart Phil Harper and his wife, Karen, had decided to move back to Cumbernauld. A difficult decision but, with baby Sammi now 5 months old, the time was right to move back nearer their parents. All HDBs appreciate and admire their strong sense of family, but they will be missed from their ‘family’ in the North.

On top of that news came the afternoon’s results – both from Ibrox and Tannadice – which meant Dundee had slipped (temporarily) to the bottom of the SPL! So it was only to be expected that the HDBs turn up for their Party Night more than a little subdued. But it takes more than that to keep us down!

as special guests, and also one or two surprises in store. After a beautiful meal, the HDBs had a small free raffle with Sandra Knight winning the first prize of a bottle of vodka. Not sure if that was a surprise or not! After the rest of the prizes were claimed,Our Toastmeister, Garry Hopkins presented surprise awards to Alan MacLeod for his splendid work with the HDBs website, and to Derek Steel

who had spent days and weeks putting together a Dee-V-Dee with highlights of matches from the past plus additional clips of the HDBs in action!

A great Party Night then followed but there was one further surprise was in store, however. Our President, John Huband, reached his 50th birthday, once the clock passed midnight, and the DJ pounced to make the announcement so all could sing him happy birthday – much to John’s embarrassment!

A stomping finish to the Party Night and thenwe retired to Chairman Mark Kerr’s abode nearby, for some light refreshments.

And the surprises continued. John Huband was presented with his birthday card and a Dundee FC mug.

No expense spared then, John? Then it was fitting that George Knight presented him with a framed signed Dundee FC replica top that the HDBs had purchased for just this occasion!

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house! Some speeches followed, including one from Phil Harper’s dad, Adam, who spoke highly of the way the Highland Dark Blues had looked after his ‘wee boy’!

It had been one of those emotional rollercoaster days that only comes from being a Dundee supporter. But it was left to Big Arnie – usually shy and retiring – to conclude the evening’s speeches. “We don’t support Dundee FC because we win trophies or league championships,” he said, “we support Dundee FC because we love this club!”