Almost 2,000 Dundee fans made the trip to London to honour club legend Julian Speroni in his testimonial game.
The 36-year-old Crystal Palace goalkeeper has been with the English Premier League outfit for more than a decade now, but Dark Blues supporters have a special place in their hearts for the goalkeeper who spent three memorable seasons at Dens Park between 2001 and 2004.
It seemed only fitting then that Paul Hartley’s Dundee side should provide the opposition for Palace on Speroni’s special night, and the Scottish club and their fans more than played their part on a great evening at Selhurst Park.
In front of a superb atmosphere, Speroni was given a guard of honour prior to kick-off, and both clubs started with many first team regulars or fringe players in the first half.
Dundee-born midfielder Charlie Adam was a familiar face starting for the Dark Blues however, and there were to be plenty of other guests from past and present on the pitch throughout the 90 minutes.Click here for a photo galleryOther Dundee legends from what was a golden era at Dens Park appeared in the second half, including Beto Carranza, Fabian Caballero, Juan Sara, Temuri Ketsbaia and Georgi Nemsadze, while current Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew was also one of those who made a surprise appearance as a Palace player on the night.
Palace ran out 4-3 winners in the end, having led 4-1 at half-time thanks to goals by Yannick Bolasie, Chung-Yong Lee and two from Dwight Gayle.Dylan Carreiro had reduced arrears at 3-0 for the visitors, and the Dark Blues made a fist of things late on when Adam and Cammy Kerr netted.
However, on a night to pay tribute to the Argentine keeper who ended up playing for both clubs on the night, the scoreline didn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.
For more, see Wednesday’s Courier.