“One day the Dark Blues will win the precious prize….”

Building on our first ever attendance at the Players’ Dinner in 2002, eight Highland Dark Blues made, what was to be, a rather long round trip on Sunday 25th May, firstly to the game against Hearts and then on to the Dinner at the Hilton Hotel Dundee. Last year’s stalwarts at the Dinner of John Huband, Mark Kerr, Billy Watson, Iain Addison, Garry Hopkins and Grahame Couttie, were joined this year by Colin Arnot and Derek Steel.

Appropriately dressed in Highland attire, these hardy (some would say ‘sad’) souls, packed into 2 luxury limousines (company cars, actually) for the road south.

As ever, the first pit stop was to be Bacon Mountain at Ballinluig. Unfortunately, the Old Firm fans from the North also made this their stop enroute to their respective matches, but after 5 minutes or so we managed to outnumber them!

During this stop, our Chairman ‘Mao’rk Kerr handed out the special ‘Scottish Cup Final’ badges which he had managed to obtain from a ‘secret’ source. The badges show the Saltire, with the DFC badge in the middle and smaller flags along the rim of the nations represented by players of Dundee FC. Even Venezuela makes an appearance! No doubt these will become collectors items in the years ahead. The profits from these badges were to go to the Youth Development Fund.

Heading on to Edinburgh, we parked near the ground and made our way to ‘The Sample Room’ where some of the Capital Dark Blues had reserved a space, and we consumed some medicinal water prior to kick-off. Making our way down to the ground dressed in our kilts and tops, we were met with some admiring glances from the locals – and that was just the men! At this point Big Arnie was beginning to doubt the wisdom of his attire in Gorgie Road. Well at least they expect to see some kilts in Edinburgh – last year it was Motherwell!

Onto Tynecastle and we were met with a rather laid back constabulary – who refused to frisk us - and a rather thin looking turnstile. Indeed, I had to turn side-ways to get through – and then immediately thought of Arnie. As everybody but Arnie filtered through, it was left to security to open the side gate to allow him to enter. Well done, Arnie. Of course, it was the sporran which got in the way!

I could now fill pages describing the match that followed, a flowing, end to end, hotly contested affair, with near misses, penalty claims, tremendous saves, shots hitting the bar and post. Instead, I’ll tell the truth. A mildly entertaining end of season affair. Our players no doubt had their minds on the following week’s Cup Final, and the Hearts players had their minds on their 2 weeks holiday at Saunton Sands!

On then, to Dundee, and the main event – the Dundee Supporters Association Player of the Year Dinner. Staged again at the Hilton Hotel, Dundee, with the Highland Dark Blues having arranged overnight accomodation. There was time for a small refreshment before smartening up for the evening’s entertainment.

This year, the HDBs had with them two trophies to present – for the Player of the Year and the Young Player of the Year. It was also at this time that Zura Khizanishvili was making the headlines. With his contract running out at the end of the season, it seemed he was destined for Ibrox and The Evil Ones of Govan. Hoping to affect a change of heart at the last minute, the HDBs had brought with them a poster with the words, “Zura Don’t Go!”

which was proudly displayed on the wall behind their table. We even managed to get a photograph of the player and the poster. Another collector’s item?

We were pleased to see that our table was ideally placed for a view of the stage and the presentations – and also quite close to the bar! To complete the table for 10 were 2 fellow Dees from Coupar Angus. I don’t think they knew what was about to hit them, but give them their due, there was no hesitation in donating to the kitty!

Obviously, there was an added edge to the Dinner this year, with the Scottish Cup Final less than a week away. George Knight, Chairman of the DSA made a welcoming speech and stressed the importance of getting the evening under way as there was full programme including 27 clubs’ trophies to present! We were disappointed our friends from the Bermuda branch weren’t there – not heard of Easyjet over there, Davie Kerr?

At this point, Jim Duffy was asked to say a few words. I was a little surprised, having only heard him on TV, by the manner in which he spoke. Here was a person who was in control. He spoke firmly about getting the evening under way, and about us – the supporters. It was at this point he referred to words written on the evening’s menu from Chairman, Jimmy Marr, and I make no apologies for repeating them here.

“……I hope it’s been an enjoyable season for the supporters. Never forget that it’s you the fans who are the most important people at this club. Players, managers, directors – and even chairmen – come and go, but a club is nothing without it’s loyal supporters. You’ve been fantastic for us this season and I’m looking forward to seeing you all back at Dens next season for Europe and another challenging SPL season.

Enjoy the night and savour the Final when it comes – you deserve it!”

Who’d be a club chairman these days? Maligned for the state of the Scottish game, putting their finances first, and having to make some difficult decisions. But these words seemed to sum up the feeling of all in attendance, and what’s more they came from a supporter!

Jim Duffy then made his own statement on the coming Cup Final and I seem to remember him saying they would not be going there “to make up the numbers”! At this statement, the assembled fans just about took the roof off (you may remember something similar happened last year – must have been repaired!)

Then the evening’s special guests were introduced, Eric ‘Sinky’ Sinclair, Bobby Geddes, the famous Doug Cowie and, of course, Bobby Cox. Who would deny that these players, in their time, wouldn’t look out of place in the current Dundee team?

The meal dispensed with, it was on to the presentations. Our ‘Toastmaster’ Garry Hopkins made the presentation to our Young Player of the Year, Zura, and Colin Arnot handed over the quaich to the HDBs Player of the Year, Fabian Caballero! I don’t know what our guys felt presenting these trophies on our behalf, but I felt quite ‘chuffed’ that the Highland Dark Blues in only our second full season, had been able to participate, and hand over two beautiful (non-returnable) silver quaichs.

Although our trophies went to the players mentioned, voting had been close, and there wasn’t much to choose between the winners and Lee Wilkie, Julian Speroni, Georgi, Dave Mackay, Lee Mair and Barry Smith. It was good to see that most of these players received awards during the night from various member clubs. However, the Player of the Year on the night was Fabian Caballero! On numerous occasions he came forward to collect a trophy, pose for a photograph and was then encouraged to make a speech. After what seemed like a dozen such awards, he eventually took the microphone to say a few words. Through his broken English it was clear his thanks went to the fans for voting for him and encouraging him during the season and as he struggled to complete his speech he had to stop to wipe away the tears! Now that must be a first. And the supporters responded with a standing ovation. Later that evening, he and his fiance were presented with gifts for their forthcoming wedding - you remember, the one that was postponed because of a certain Cup Final?

The evening included such awards as Blooper of the Season – and this was jointly won by Dave ‘to you Julian’ Mackay and Julian ‘I’m over here’ Speroni for that headed own goal against United!

The evening continued with comedian, Joe - “Doctor, Doctor, I think I’m a moth. You should really see a psychiatrist. Och I know, but I just saw your light on!” - Cammie and then the Grand Raffle. But not before Gary Joiner had forked out £750 for a new top, signed by all the players in an open auction. Well done that man!

Our team from the North didn’t go away empty handed with first Grahame Couttie collecting a framed photographic print of manager Jim Duffy, followed swiftly by a similar print of Billy Steel won by our Chairman, Mark Kerr! As the formal part of the evening finished, it was on to autographs and photographs of players past and present. A mad scramble doesn’t ably describe what followed, but as always the players found time to sign all manner of things (including my dressed shirt – thank you, Zura and Georgi) and to pose for photographs. It was then that we saw Jim Duffy in a different light. Conscious that the players were leaving, he stayed to the very end posing for photographs, including with the HDB contingent, although we were to learn later that he was supposed to be attending a family function!

As the night drew to a close, all that was left was to thank our hosts, the DSA Committee for another fabulous night, and then retire to the bar.
A ‘final’ nightcap for some, lasted well into the small hours, whilst others headed for bed – a cup of tea and piece of shortie beckoned! One of our number couldn’t sleep – apparently due to some noise akin to a pneumatic drill – and at 5.00 in the morning found himself scoffing a mince roll up the Law hill watching the sun rise. You can take a Dundonian out of Dundee, but………..!

The next morning we had decided to head for the shop at Dens to see if we could obtain the new Dundee top in time for the coming Final. With lists of orders from members who couldn’t make the trip, we seemed to fill what space was left in the car boots and headed west to the Horn at Errol for an eggy roll. It was here we couldn’t resist donning our new tops and getting a passer-by to take our photo.

The last part of our journey home always seems to be the longest part – unless of course Dundee win! Well this journey must have made a new record. A meat lorry had caught fire just south of Dalwhinnie on the A9 and caused a 2-3 hour hold up! Had we known what the consignment was we could have had our own burgers for lunch!

Arriving home in Inverness at last, tired but happy, with thoughts of the Cup Final ahead – just 5 days to go! Now wouldn’t that just top a fantastic season……….?

Grahame ‘Jablonski’ Couttie
Secretary
Highland Dark Blues