Dear Members,
‘Rollercoaster’ perhaps doesn’t do justice to the slings and arrows of Dundee’s fortunes since the turn of the year.
The highs of Scottish Cup triumphs over the lot down the road and Airdrie alongside a vital away win over St Johnstone as well as near wins over the Old Firm at Dens were wiped out by the lows of deflating heavy defeats to Hearts at home and Celtic away and then a disappointing loss to recent visitors Aberdeen. It’s hard to know what to make of the variation in performances from pushing Celtic all the way at Dens to crumbling to a resurgent Hearts on the same pitch a couple of weeks later.
The team has shown some great ability and effort on the one hand and worrying frailties throughout the pitch on the other. I know many fans were disappointed not to see a striker signed in the transfer window but Aaron Donnelly has been impressive since his return and we have to hope our latest Mexican addition, winger Victor Lopez, can make a difference to the goals for column. It was also extremely heartening to see several players return from injury including the Club Captain big Joe Shaughnessy after a long time out. We wish him well and his experience could be crucial in the crunch games to come.
Away from the field, there was sad news this month with the loss of a Dundee great and one of its best known supporters. Billy Pirie was indeed a legend at the club. His tally of 106 goals in 138 games in the late 1970’s says it all about a special player who was the club’s leading goalscorer for three consecutive seasons. The Hall of Fame member will be greatly missed by all Dundee fans.
More recently we were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Paddy Barclay. One of the UK’s best known football writers who covered World Cups, Champions League and Premier League football, Paddy’s heart was always at Dens. A font of knowledge about all things Dundee he was a friend to many, many Dark Blues fans and will be a huge loss. Our thoughts are with Billy’s and Paddy’s families.
AGM
Dee4Life held its AGM on 1st of February 2025, which was postponed from 23rd of November 2024 due the adverse weather that day. The meeting in the Dundee Social Club was reasonably attended with active participants in the room.
I delivered the report from the Chair setting out events over the reporting period to 31st May 2024 and the final accounts for the year were presented for information and comment.
There were no additional directors appointed at the meeting though three existing directors were reappointed: George McIrvine, Grant McGregor and Mary Coyle. Mike Woodcock’s place on the Board was also confirmed.
The minutes and reports from the AGM are available in the members’ section of the website.
Following the AGM there was a question-and-answer session which raised a number of points and issues over the development at Camperdown and the ongoing use of Dens Park.
We were asked about relations between Dee4Life and the Club, ideas for engagement with Dee4Life members and the broader fan base and possible actions from the action plan compiled at the board strategy day in August 2024. We received a number of helpful suggestions from the floor which will be followed up.
Junior Dee draw winner
I’m also delighted to announce the winner of our Junior Draw at the AGM:
Mya Hanlon!
Congratulations to Mya who joined in November 2023. She wins £30 of vouchers to spend in the Dundee FC Shop. We would ask Mya’s parent or guardian to email us at contact@dee4life.com so we can arrange delivery of the vouchers.
I will close with a reminder that the Board is a team of volunteers and is working hard to build and develop Dee4Life so it can fulfil its role and support the club but we can’t do it alone.
We need you as members to engage with us and share your ideas and opportunities so we can move forward together. That’s why the AGM was so refreshing but there’s no need to wait for a formal meeting to give us your ideas and views.
Please follow us on X and Facebook and feel free to contact us any time at contact@dee4life.com.
As we look forward to some key league matches and the prospect of a Scottish Cup quarter-final against Hearts at Tynecastle let’s get behind Tony Docherty and the team and hope that we can add some consistency to the undoubted potential of such a young team and make the most of the business end of the season.
Best wishes,
Keith Winter
Dee4Life Chair
Dee4Life 