Dundee FC Show True Colours

Last updated : 28 November 2004 By Kevin Smith
Okay, so we drew 2-2 at Dens Park today, and Rangers moved to first place in the Scottish Premier League. This article would have been written no matter what the outcome of today's game was.

Last week at Ibrox, we were subjected to listening to the tripe that is Rangers' pre-match, half time and post-match music selection, that consisted of The Dambusters, Rule Brittania and similar nonsense, including a flute band playing a version of Follow Follow. This has been played for several years at Ibrox but we expect it from them.

There was much said about the choice of music on various phone-ins, messageboards and websites. The music reminded me of the final night at the Proms and it was embarrassing to listen to.

Now, I am not going to sit here and say that non-football songs should not be played at football grounds. Prior to our home games, we hear the likes of Fields Of Athenry, You'll Never Walk Alone and Roll With It - non-football songs, but songs which are not offensive to anyone apart from Gerry McNee.

I am not writing this article to criticise Rangers last week, because as I said before, I do not expect anything else from them. I am writing it in total disgust of Dundee FC today.

I arrived inside Dens Park today just after the game had started, so I cannot comment on Dundee's pre-match entertainment. Celtic were down 1-0 at half time, and I could not believe what I was hearing coming from the tannoy system.

I do not know the name of the song which Dundee play when they score, but it is a common tune, sung by many clubs. This was played followed by a version of The Great Escape which consisted of snare drums, bass drums and flutes. You would have been forgiven for thinking an Orange Walk had descended in the centre circle.

Now I am not too clued up on music played by Orange bands and I do not want to get involved in anything to do with them. But the choice of song today must have been chosen from some sort of flute band CD.

I have no objection to The Great Escape tune. It is not a sectarian song, but it is sung by England and Rangers supporters, who mix in a few words of their own when singing it. We have no objection to the particular song, but there are other versions of it available.

The tune was repeated at the end of the game, which Celtic drew 2-2. The Celtic support shook their heads in disgust. Several complaints were made to Tayside Police who didn't seem too bothered. Surprise surprise.

I await the backlash of 'get your own house in order' and all that garbage about pots and kettles. However, this is nothing to do with our support. It is to do with the choice of song played over Dundee's tannoy system at the game today.

May I also add that several Dundee fans were marched around the pitch after being arrested at the game today. I seem to remember last season, a few of the same bunch were thrown out for making racist and bigoted chants.

In Scotland, we hear, almost every day how sectarianism and bigotry is a problem which exists in the West Of Scotland. For anyone who believes this, take a trip to Dens Park the next time Celtic play there - maybe it will open up your eyes.