A Dundee FC fan who raised almost £40,000 for his beloved Dark Blues will be joined by club legend Pat Liney to fly the flag for the cash-strapped club at Dens Park on Saturday.
Dee fanatic Graeme Brymer (47) has produced a flag bearing the names of well over 1000 Dundee fans from around the world and it will be unveiled at half-time during the home clash with Queen of the South.
The initiative raised £38,600 after he struck upon the idea of asking fellow supporters to pay £30 each for the privilege of having their names printed on a flag to fly at Dens Park.
After launching the appeal on the Dundee Mad website, Graeme was inundated with inquiries and before long was in the position to offer a massive boost to Dundee FC Supporters’ Society’s fighting fund.
He is certain to receive a warm round of applause at half-time as he makes his way to the flagpoles situated at the south side of the ground to unfurl the fruits of his labour.
Graeme will be accompanied by Liney as he unveils the 6ft x 3ft flag made and designed by Carnoustie company Prime Signs.
He said the idea came from a determination to do his bit for the club he loves, and added the initiative had raised far more than he had originally envisaged.
“I was just sitting going over the situation we were in one night and thought that if we had a flag that people could pay to get their names on then that might raise a few quid,” he said. “I posted on Dundee Mad and got something like 40 responses within 15 minutes.
“I made some calls and emailed a few people and it all started from there. The club’s chief executive Harry MacLean was a big help, as were a lot of other people.Help”I know I wouldn’t have managed it without their help, but I especially need to thank John Falconer of Prime Signs who did a lot for me. He helped me out with the flag and it was him who did all the artwork, put the names on to the flag etc.
“He also arranged for the flag to be made and paid for that himself so there was no extra charge. In total there were about 1120 names on the flag. When you add in donations that people made we raised £38,600, which is amazing for what was just a 10-second idea.
“We even had people sending their names from Sweden, America, New Zealand from all over the world. I really was overwhelmed by the response.”
Acting on a further fund-raising idea initiated from the club’s commercial department, Dundee Mad posters chipped in to thank Graeme for his work by paying for him and partner to watch January’s visit of Falkirk in hospitality.
The idea proved such a success that a second flag for businesses to put their name to has been launched.
The supporters’ society have been contacted by several companies and other organisations asking about the possibility of creating a DFC business flag in a similar manner. Five of these organisations have already paid £300 each to have their name emblazoned on the flag, which will be displayed at Dens Park alongside the fans’ equivalent, for years to come.
DFCSS director John Keith praised Graeme for everything he has done and said he hoped fans gave him a great reception.
Anyone wishing to have the name of their company added to the business flag should contact Maurice Kidd on 07789 264027 or email maurice_kidd@hotmail.com.