34 pictures of classic Dundee FC shirts and kit sponsors

Smiling Steve Lovell and Barry Smith with bottles of cider to mark Dundee FC's shirt deal with the firm — Steve Lovell and Barry Smith show bottle in 2004. Image: SNS.

From the classic Novafone sponsor to Crown Engineering Services, how many of these Dundee kits do you remember?

Dundee signed a sponsorship deal to have advertising on the front of their shirts for the first time with Boyle’s Solicitors in March 1985.

The Law Society of Scotland prevented the £75,000 deal from going ahead.

The void was filled by Novafone in 1987.

The 40th anniversary of the strip that never was has given us the perfect excuse to look back at some Dundee kits and shirt sponsors of yesteryear.

But which of these was the best?

Novafone

Marie Traynor, Tommy Coyne, John Brown and Jim Duffy in Dundee FC kits in 1987, with Jim sitting inside a small pedal race car — Marie Traynor, Tommy Coyne, John Brown and Jim Duffy in 1987. Image: DC Thomson.

Former Miss Scotland, Marie Traynor, joined Tommy Coyne and John Brown to celebrate the mobile phone company’s £300,000, three-year deal in July 1987.

Jim Duffy was behind the wheel of a racing car on the pitch when the new strips were shown off – “symbolising the Dark Blues’ drive for success”.

striker Keith Wright kicks a ball while warming up for Dundee FC — Keith Wright in action. Image: SNS.

Novafone brings back memories of the Tommy Coyne and Keith Wright strike partnership, which produced 48 goals in the Premier Division in 1987-88.

It was also the sponsor when Dundee won the 1988 Tennent’s Sixes.

Jim Duffy in the Novafone kit in 1989 — Jim Duffy in 1989. Image: SNS.

Dundee legends Bobby Glennie, Jim Duffy and Tosh McKinlay were among those who showcased that classic Novafone logo on the Matchwinner kit.

Kelly’s Copiers

Keith Wright prepares to kick the ball while playing in the change white kit — Keith Wright in the change kit. Image: SNS.

Kelly’s Copiers became the main sponsor in July 1990.

The Dundee firm supplied photocopiers, fax machines and computers.

Celebrating the league win in 1992. Image: DC Thomson.

Dundee with Kelly’s Copiers and Matchwinner will evoke memories of winning the B&Q Centenary Cup in 1990 and the First Division title in 1992.

Asics were kit manufacturers when Kelly’s Copiers adorned the front of the shirt for the famous 4-3 victory over Rangers at Dens in August 1992.

Steve Pittman poses for a picture on the Dens Park pitch in 1992 — Steve Pittman in 1992. Image: DC Thomson.

Among the players who wore the Kelly’s Copiers kit were Steve Pittman, Billy Dodds, Kevin Ratcliffe, Dusan Vrto and Simon Stainrod.

Sports Division

Steve Pittman playing against United in 1993. Image: DC Thomson.

Dundee started the 1993-1994 season without a sponsor.

Sports Division signed a deal with the Dark Blues in December 1993.

Dusan Vrto running with the ball while playing for Dundee FC in May 1994. — Dusan Vrto in May 1994. Image: SNS.

The sports retailer promised Dundee £25,000 if they won the Scottish Cup.

Jim Duffy’s team were knocked out the quarter-final by Kilmarnock and relegated back to the First Division after finishing bottom.

Auto Windscreens

a team photo of the Dundee FC squad for the 1994-1995 season. — The Dundee squad for the 1994-1995 season. Image: DC Thomson.

A two-year deal with Auto Windscreens was signed in August 1994.

Dundee remained in the First Division during the sponsorship but did reach the final of the League Cup in 1995, only to go down 2-0 to Aberdeen at Hampden.

Marcus Dailly in the 1995-1996 red away Dundee FC shirt — Marcus Dailly in the 1995-1996 red away shirt. Image: DC Thomson.

Auto Windscreens on the shirt harks back to players like Morten Wieghorst, Neil McCann, Paul Tosh, Iain Anderson and Jim Hamilton.

The Firkin Brewery

The official team photo of the Dundee FC squad in 1996. — The Dundee squad in 1996. Image: DC Thomson.

The Firkin Brewery signed a two-year £110,000 deal in August 1996.

Firkin Brewery will always be associated with Wedding Crashers actress Isla Fisher.

Isla Fisher at Dens in 1997. Image: DC Thomson.

Isla donned a Dundee first-team shirt and received the biggest cheer of the day when she appeared at the Dens Park open day in July 1997.

Bob Douglas with young Dundee FC fans in 1998. — Bob Douglas with fans in 1998. Image: DC Thomson.

It was cheers for the beers when the Firkin Brewery produced a Championship Ale to celebrate Dundee’s promotion back to the Premier League in 1998.

Scottish Hydro-Electric

Three young fans in the new Dundee shirts in 1998. — Young fans in the new shirts in 1998. Image: DC Thomson.

A six-figure deal with Scottish Hydro-Electric was signed in July 1998.

There were puns aplenty when the new strips were unveiled with Dundee hoping the “power dressing” would “spark success” in the Premier League.

Willie Falconer in the change kit while playing against Rangers. — Willie Falconer in the change kit. Image: SNS.

Among the players who wore the Scottish Hydro-Electric kit were Brian Irvine, Shaun McSkimming, Eddie Annand and Willie Falconer.

Ceramic Tile Warehouse

three Dundee FC players in the 1999 kit — A new sponsor in 1999. Image: Fotopress.

Ceramic Tile Warehouse became main sponsor for the 1999-2000 season.

The two-year deal was worth £100,000.

Claudio Caniggia in the classic Dundee FC red kit — Caniggia in the classic red kit. Image: SNS.

Dundee went from the back pages to the front pages when Argentine World Cup superstar Claudio Caniggia signed on a free transfer in October 2000.

Sales of replica Dundee strips began flying out the door of the club shop with Caniggia’s name and number 33 on the back.

Fabian Caballero in the away kit while playing for Dundee FC against Hibs — Fabian Caballero in the away kit. Image: SNS.

The 2001-2002 away kit was modelled on the Argentina 1990 World Cup shirt.

Jini Global

Nacho Novo runs while playing for Dundee FC — Nacho Novo in the home shirt. Image: SNS.

Burnley-based Jini Global signed a £250,000 shirt deal in August 2002.

The internet company offered a further quarter of a million pound investment if Dundee finished in the top three and won a cup.

Fabian Caballero kicks the ball while under pressure from an opposing player — Caballero in the change kit. Image: DC Thomson.

The company’s search engine was displayed on the front of the shirt.

Magners

Magners signed a deal with Dundee from 2003.

The name appeared on the shirt in the Scottish Cup final defeat to Rangers.

Fabrizio Ravanelli in action for Dundee against Motherwell. — Ravanelli in action against Motherwell. Image: DC Thomson.

The most famous player to wear the sponsor on a Dundee shirt?

Fabrizio Ravanelli pulled the shirt over his head three times in celebration when he scored a hat-trick against Clyde in the League Cup in September 2003.