The transfer window may be shut, but the Tele has pulled off a major signing coup.
Dundee legend Barry Smith has joined the team as a sports writer, replacing the departing Liam Kennedy.
Barry was keen to launch a career writing about the game he’s graced as player, coach and manager for the past 25 years.
Following the kind of secret negotiations he’d have been proud of when signing a new player, we’re delighted to announce he’s put pen to paper.
For Barry it means a change of perspective after a career that saw him play more than 500 games and go on to include successful spells as a manager north and south of the border with Dundee, Alloa and Aldershot.
With him he brings vast experience and a deep knowledge of every aspect of how the professional game works.
It will further enhance the blanket coverage of Dundee and Dundee United the Tele now brings you six days a week.
And, as anyone who worked with him will testify, he’ll also provide the honesty and frankness he’s gained a reputation for over his long career.
His name is, of course, synonymous with the Dark Blue half of the city.
His time as a player included leading Dundee out as captain for the 2003 Scottish Cup Final and, as gaffer, steering them to First Division safety in 2011 when all looked lost after a 25-point deduction for falling into administration.
Barry’s iconic status at Dens Park, however, won’t mean any bias in favour of his old team or against old foes United.
His assessment of the city clubs’ performances will be fair and accurate.
That’s something the man himself is at pains to stress.
“For me the great thing about football is everyone is entitled to their opinion and joining the Tele means I’m getting the chance to give mine,” explained Barry.
“When I do, it will be an honest assessment of how I feel a team or player has performed.
“It’ll be how I’ve seen a game — but that doesn’t mean I’m definitely right, so managers, players and fans can disagree with me.
“When that’s the case, I don’t expect them to be happy but what they can always know is I’ve given an honest opinion.
“And, having played and managed, I feel I can bring an understanding of how games develop.
“I’ll be trying to get across to readers why certain things have happened.
“Is a player having a bad game because he’s not comfortable with what he’s been asked to do or is he just not playing well?
“Is a victory or defeat down to the manager’s tactics, or is it in spite of them? When you’ve played the game, you get a feel for all that and my aim is to bring that to the paper.”
As for his relationship with the Tangerine half of the city, for Barry it’s always been just fine.
“I’ve had a lot of friendly banter with United fans on an off the park down the years,” he continued.
“Of course, beating United in derbies was always a highlight and losing was a low point.
“But as a player the one thing you always wanted was the two teams to be in the same league.
“Yes, the aim was to finish above them in the table but you always wanted your rivals in the same league.
“When I signed in 1995, both clubs were in the First Division. My first two derbies ended in defeat and then United got promotion, so I had to wait a couple of years until we joined them to get another derby.
“Getting up so we could be playing derbies again was a big motivation.”
After spending the last six years in management, Barry’s looking forward to swapping the dugout for the press box.
“This is going to be a challenge,” he enthused.
“It’s one I’m looking forward to and I’m grateful to the Tele for giving me this opportunity.
“It’s totally different from the side of the game I’ve been on but I like to think as a player and a manager I always respected people had a job to do — and that won’t change!
“In terms of my future, I don’t believe I’m finished with management or coaching but I am looking forward to becoming a member of the press.
“It means I’m still involved in the game and I see it as another valuable part of the learning process.
“And, in this game, you never stop learning.”
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.