Capital Dark Blues

The CDB committee have in previous years been fortunate to host visits from an array of managers, players, directors and chairmen, including Jim Duffy, Jocky Scott and the late Ron Dixon.

It was decided to approach DFC management with a view to continuing this trend and accordingly it was arranged for Ivano and Claudio to visit us in Edinburgh on 26 October last year. Visits from previous DFC staff invariably took place in the establishment of the time which hosted our monthly meetings (generally somewhere licensed to sell alcohol!). However, this time it was agreed to arrange something more in keeping with the heritage and background of our guests, and an evening at Bar Napoli in Hanover Street, Edinburgh, was chosen.

Each attendee paid £10/head for a specially-devised three-course Italian meal and the pleasure of IB's company. CDB members arrived in small groups and those of us getting there early donated DFC tops to our waiters for the evening.

Bar Napoli is a split level restaurant due to the gradient of Hanover Street, and the lower section's (which accommodated us) combination of low ceiling, dimmed lighting and CDB banner draped behind the top table generated a real intimacy and togetherness. Eventually, around 50 of us gathered there for 8pm, prior to IB and his entourage arriving. And what an arrival! With a piper at their head, the DFC group made their way downstairs to the strains of their national anthem, thunderous applause and an outpouring of goodwill from us.

Of course, everyone was looking for Claudio and we learned with understandable disappointment that extra training commitments had prohibited his attendance.

MC for the evening was the inimitable Willie Tanner, who formally welcomed the DFC group (which included Ivano, Dario Magri and Marcello Marrocco) to Edinburgh as guests of the Capital Dark Blues. They occupied the top table at the head of the room. Grace was observed by the Rev John McGregor, who reminded us to spare a thought for those less fortunate than ourselves, "...and we think particularly of our neighbours at this time...!". The room exploded with laughter, and not for the last time that night.

Dinner was served soon after, and the beer and wine eventually flowed once the staff realised the level of demand they had on their hands! At one point a surprised diner from the upper level wandered downstairs and was immediately greeted with "Caniggia, Caniggia" chants due to his long blond hair.

An insight into the accessibility required of a manager with international connections was given by the constant ringing of Dario's mobile phone, which certainly didn't bother us nor Dario or Ivano. Maybe its just my memory creatively filling in the gaps but I seem to remember a wag commenting that it was "...Maradona wanting a game...". It was certainly noted that the omission of Humble Pie from the sweet trolley meant that Steven Boyack was unlikely to join us.

With a that "all's well with the world" feeling that one gets after a good feed in great company, Ivano rose to take questions. It was to his immense credit that he shirked none of them, even when Brian Gavine's version of Anglo-Dundonian floored Dario Magri's otherwise formidable interpretative skills, and also when subjects of controversy such as the aforementioned Boyack were aired. Ivano stuck with it for about an hour or so until Scott Swankie, our monthly magazine editor, called time.

My impression of Ivano was of a man who has clear ideas of his aims and preferred methods for achieving them, and that DFC were deadly serious about aspiring to the highest possible position. He recognised the part that the fans had played and assured us that the players very much appreciate the support they get from us.

Indeed, Ivano praised the unity which characterised the relationship between club and fans. On more practical matters, he noted disappointment at certain results which had cost us points, a theme he was to reprise in the coming months. Regarding players, he stated that nationality wasn't a factor as much as ability and "mentality". In fact, Ivano's reference to "mentality" permeated most of his discourse, and it obviously forms a major part of how he judges players' worth to the club.

The evening ended with Ivano & Co. heading back to Dundee, while we went next door to continue the lubrication. An excellent night, and all credit to those who organised it on behalf of the CDB, and of course to the DFC (or should that be FCD?!) entourage who attended despite what must be a diary full of other commitments.