Memorable Dee Pre-season Friendlies

[Cobra]

Any stand-out for you?

Anyone on here go down to Grimsby and witness that breathtaking Georgi strike in the flesh? 

 

[Billy Campbell's Ghost]

Dundee v Arsenal, Strachans debut. When he was subbied he got a standing ovation from fans and players of both sides. He became a good friend of the late Alan Ball who applauded the young Strachan off that day.

[Prince Buster]

9 minutes ago, Cobra said:

Any stand-out for you?

Anyone on here go down to Grimsby and witness that breathtaking Georgi strike in the flesh? 

 

I was there, don't remember much about it though - The Leaking Boot was well used that day.

[Cobra]

Just now, Billy Campbell's Ghost said:

Dundee v Arsenal, Strachans debut. When he was subbied he got a standing ovation from fans and players of both sides. He became a good friend of the late Alan Ball who applauded the young Strachan off that day.

This is why I start these threads. Great story. Cheers BCG.

I grew up watching Strachan on the telly for Aberdeen, Man Utd and Leeds. Can't imagine watching the wee man turning and twisting in a dark blue shirt from the Derry.

[Billy Campbell's Ghost]

4 minutes ago, Cobra said:

This is why I start these threads. Great story. Cheers BCG.

I grew up watching Strachan on the telly for Aberdeen, Man Utd and Leeds. Can't imagine watching the wee man turning and twisting in a dark blue shirt from the Derry.

I met Gordon in an airport recently and he was amazed I remembered that game. I told him all that were there remembered it. Outstanding display. We also chatted about the cup tie at Gayfield (still on YouTube, and his first Dee goal that I saw at Tynecastle. I described it to him and he replied....” it wisnae that good”! It was.

[Cobra]

19 minutes ago, Billy Campbell's Ghost said:

I met Gordon in an airport recently and he was amazed I remembered that game. I told him all that were there remembered it. Outstanding display. We also chatted about the cup tie at Gayfield (still on YouTube, and his first Dee goal that I saw at Tynecastle. I described it to him and he replied....” it wisnae that good”! It was.

Will need to take a look at that clip.

I used to be annoyed thinking that Dundee let such a good player go to Aberdeen on the cheap. I assumed we didn't appreciate his talent but I learned in recent years that the bank forced our hand so maybe we had no choice. One Dee did suggest a ball-player like him couldn't survive in the aggressive second tier. How do you remember us losing wee Gordy?

If I ever met Strachan I'll ask him about his views on players needing to big lads. I was baffled when he said Griffiths couldn't play for Scotland because of his size when GS himself reached the very top despite his small stature.

[Billy Campbell's Ghost]

It was Tam Gemmell who sold him. Yes, we needed the money which was not much, around £50k plus Jim Shirra in return. I think Big Tam was quoted as saying he could not cope with the hurly burly of the 1st Division which was nonsense. Simply, he was our most valuable asset and the Dons got the bargain of the season, and many others!

we as a club have never realised players value in the transfer market unlike our rivals across the street. Bosman has now almost killed transfer fees from clubs of our stature. As players just run down contracts, likely on advice from agents.

[Cobra]

Aberdeen pilfering Dundee's good players over the years is maybe a bit like Dundee taking Raith's best players like Wright and Novo.

It was annoying to lose guys like McKimmie and Connor but if that's where we find ourselves in the pecking order we just need to deal with it.

One thing I do like about the (mostly negative) changes to Scottish football in the last 25 years is we no longer sell our best players to Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen, as they can't afford it.

Dodds to St Johnstone was possibly the hardest to take. Losing your best player to a smaller club down the road is a real kick in the baws.

[WoodStein]

22 minutes ago, Cobra said:

Will need to take a look at that clip.

I used to be annoyed thinking that Dundee let such a good player go to Aberdeen on the cheap. I assumed we didn't appreciate his talent but I learned in recent years that the bank forced our hand so maybe we had no choice. One Dee did suggest a ball-player like him couldn't survive in the aggressive second tier. How do you remember us losing wee Gordy?

If I ever met Strachan I'll ask him about his views on players needing to big lads. I was baffled when he said Griffiths couldn't play for Scotland because of his size when GS himself reached the very top despite his small stature.

It was definitely pressure from the bank, Cobra. They were threatening to 'call in' the club's growing overdraft, which might have tipped the club into liquidation (there was no 'administration' process in those days). The Board reluctantly asked Gemmell to make enquiries about getting offers for any marketable player(s), and he knew Billy McNeil was impressed with Strachan. Although he hated having to sell Strachan when he was clearly a rising star, he felt he could get what the Board needed, and also talk McNeil into including a player in the deal. That player was Jim Shirra, who inevitably suffered (as with many new Dees before & after him) from comparisons to the departing star. I wonder how many times we've done this, sold great players/prospects when forced to by debt, rather than by an offer too good to refuse?

Re Strachan's size....that Griffiths comment was astonishing (& so wrong)....but your comment reminded me of one of Strachan's classic moments of humour. World Cup Finals, 1986, in Mexico....our group game with West Germany. It had become fashionable for goal celebrations to see players hurdling the advertising boards, and running along in front of the crowd. After 18 minutes, a great pass on the right gave Strachan a chance & he squeezed his shot in at the near post...the crowd erupted, Strachan headed for them....put both hands on the waist-high advertising board, jumped up & down, turned, and lifted his leg up to show he could barely get a foot on top of it. One of our biggest games in our 4th WC Finals in a row, and he thinks of doing that when he gives us the lead against one of the favourites. 

Strachan's goal is 2min into this youtube video....it's 9 minutes, and worth watching to remember how good that squad was....some great saves from Leighton, so many opportunities to score, and a 'classic' Souness midfield tackle (about 3:30). 

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXs146gznCE

 

[Valentke]

2 hours ago, Cobra said:

Any stand-out for you?

Anyone on here go down to Grimsby and witness that breathtaking Georgi strike in the flesh? 

 

Yep, went down with my wee brother and a couple of died in the wool Dees. Madness to go all that way but the excitement made you dream big!

[Cobra]

1 minute ago, Valentke said:

Yep, went down with my wee brother and a couple of died in the wool Dees. Madness to go all that way but the excitement made you dream big!

Yeah it was good to dream. I was at Fir Park for Bonetti's first game, shaking my head and laughing at how absurdly good we were. I felt the same at Rugby Park when we scored 4 scoring on 10 under Hartley. For a week or so you are left to reflect on the fact that Dundee have produced a performance worthy of a title-winning team and you get carried away about what's possible.

You are quickly brought back down to earth but just the thought of Dundee winning a major trophy is preferable to buying a Celtic scarf and watching them winning another treble. If the Dee win a major trophy in my lifetime it's going to be some celebration.

[Valentke]

9 hours ago, Cobra said:

Yeah it was good to dream. I was at Fir Park for Bonetti's first game, shaking my head and laughing at how absurdly good we were. I felt the same at Rugby Park when we scored 4 scoring on 10 under Hartley. For a week or so you are left to reflect on the fact that Dundee have produced a performance worthy of a title-winning team and you get carried away about what's possible.

You are quickly brought back down to earth but just the thought of Dundee winning a major trophy is preferable to buying a Celtic scarf and watching them winning another treble. If the Dee win a major trophy in my lifetime it's going to be some celebration.

That day at Motherwell was one of my favourites watching DFC