We started with 11 like-minded souls at our inaugural meeting, and finished the season with 17 paid-up members. Due to the geographical spread, not all the members can make all the meetings and we usually had a hardcore of 7-10 members for most nights.
These take place on the first Monday of the month at the Heathmount Hotel in Inverness from 7.45pm. The meetings are anything but formal. Club news and forthcoming events are discussed - which usually means 'who's going to the next match?' and 'who'll be playing?' After that it becomes a general football discussion interspersed with the latest jokes - and some old ones!
We have made some progress as a Club - we opened a bank account! Hopefully, next season will see us swelling the bank balance with advanced contributions towards our first away match in Europe in season 2003/2004! Although numbers at the meetings seemed to be linked to our success on the pitch, there have been some highlights.........
One of the highlights was when the Dundee Legend Bobby Wilson gave us his pearls of wisdom at one of our Meetings. For those who couldn't make it here's what transpired.
Signed in 1966 by Bobby Ancell, he played under John Prentice - who he rated very highly as a manager, then Davie White. He recalled the USA Tour of 1967 when they beat both Chelsea and Man Utd - Best, Charlton and all - by 4-2.
He mentioned some specific matches like the game against Sporting Lisbon in 1971 and the cup run of 1973, drawing 3-3 with Hibs and then beating them 3-0 in the replay. As for his scoring prowess, he recalls he used to be verbally abused by managers for sneaking into the box and leaving his right-back position vulnerable. Well, we didn't hear anyone complain when he popped up to score THAT goal against FC Cologne in the 4-2 victory of 1973!
Best Keeper he played with? Thomson Allan. Best Player? Well, that had to be Charlie Cooke, but the other name he came up with might surprise a few - Alex Kinnonmonth!
Bobby finished his Dundee career in 1976, and finished his football career by managing Highland League side Ross County for 9 years from 1984. He built an excellent team but, more importantly perhaps, he put in place a youth development programme which led County to more and more success.
Our evening continued with members questioning Bobby on all aspects of football including the current set up at Dundee. His links to football continue with son Barry playing in the current Livingston side. We finished off the evening with a small momento for Bobby as a thank you for taking the time to entertain us. Bobby Wilson - a gentleman on and off the park.
Events which have occurred during the Highland Dark Blues Season will be posted over the next few weeks. The Motherwell Last game day out including the DSA End of year Dinner so keep posted to see how those events went and read about what you may have missed.
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Here's to next season!!!