While the rain may have dampened some spirits on Saturday you may have noticed a young man on the pitch with the biggest grin on his face and his hands in the air. 16 year old Eathan Falconer who suffers from extreme autism and hasn't spoken since he was 2 led the team out as part of a dream made true by the Dundee FC Supporters’ Society, Dreamz4U and Dundee FC as part of the ongoing community health initiatives.
Eathan made quite an impression on everyone at Dens, with no-one who came across him untouched by his smile. Club secretary Laura Hayes commented on how lovely Eathan and his family were while Stadium Manager Jim Thomson said, "I met Eathan earlier in the week when he came for a familiarisation tour and got a high five and a cuddle! It was quite humbling really! The Club were happy to work with the Society and Dreamz4u to make this wee lad’s day. It's yet another way that football can touch people’s lives and have such a positive effect."
Eathan had quite a fan club with him on Saturday and while he and his Dad Kenney, Mum Ann Marie and Granddad George were treated to the Captain's Lounge, the rest of his support sat in the main stand to cheer Eathan onto the pitch including Gran Norma. While Eathan can't tell us how he felt, his family were in no doubt and take up the story of Eathan's special day.
Mum Ann Marie said, "The whole day was amazing, and I can't believe how well Eathan coped with the whole thing, he just took it all in his stride. The hospitality at the club was fantastic, they couldn't have been nicer or done any more for us if they tried. Eathan was so excited from the moment he got up because he know something was going to happen. He had a lovely breakfast at the Riverside Inn and enjoyed spending time with Jimmy Etchels’ son Bradley. (Jimmy is a trustee for Dreamz4U and co-ordinated this particular dream).
"When we got up to the football club and he got the strip to put on he got so excited and the smile on his face when he met the players and got to go out on the pitch was priceless. I have never seen him so happy and we all felt very proud of him. Everyone that has been involved in the whole process from Jacqui Robertson and Billy Shepherd and the support I've had from Jimmy has been amazing. I can't thank you all enough! The whole day was amazing! Seeing the smile on Eathan's face was amazing! I know he was loving every minute of it. It is a day we will always remember. Eathan's school today said he came in very excited and was trying to tell them all about the football, but because he can't speak and only has limited vocabulary on his talker, its difficult for him to express himself. I'm going to make him a scrap book of all the cuttings from the paper, the programme and all the photos that were taken on the day so that he will always remember it and be able to show other people."
Dad Kenney was just as delighted with Eathan's day as the pictures taken by everyone throughout the day showed and he said, "What an amazing day Eathan had. It started off with him being presented with a full Dundee FC strip which he loved then meeting with the players who were brilliant with him, especially big Rab Douglas. After meeting the players it was then off onto the pitch for a kick about and a penalty kick, which Eathan put in the back of the net followed by his own scoring celebration which was caught on camera. I can't wait to see that picture. After some more photographs Eathan enjoyed a kick about with Alex (the other mascot) and DeeWok. Finally the time had come for the big event, his run out with the team and Eathan waited with anticipation for the teams to come out of the dressing rooms. When they did he was so excited and he totally enjoyed the moment as he ran out onto the pitch to the cheers from his family and the fans. He enjoyed the game in spite of the result, as nothing could stop his beaming smile this day. 
"At home waited his last surprise, a signed Dundee FC shirt hanging pride of place above his bed. When he saw it he was so delighted that everyone got a huge hug from him which rounded the day off perfectly. I'd like to thank the following people without whom this day for Eathan would not have happened, Jimmy Etchels (Dreamz4U), Mary Sneddon (Braes Riding School), Billy Shepherd (Dundee FC), Jacqui Robertson (Dundee FC Supporters’ Society) and finally to the players and officials of Dundee FC who could not have done more for Eathan"
We spoke to Granddad George, a lifelong fan, before the big day, and the look of pride on his face on Saturday was absolutely priceless. Following on from his chat about Eathan prior to Saturday, George describes how the day felt for him and his constant football companion, his grandson. "It has been excellent, it has been brilliant, he has had a great time. He has been out on that park, scored two or three goals and scored a penalty kick at Dens. That makes him the first member of the family to do that.
"The hospitality was very nice, brilliant in fact. No-one could have any complaints about it that’s for sure. I would like to thank the Supporters’ Society, Jacqui, and all the boys that gave her a hand, and all the guys in the Boardroom and obviously everyone at Dreamz4u - everyone has been brilliant, and made this a great day. It has been brilliant, and amazing to see Eathan standing there with that trophy in the boardroom - he has obviously had a great day as well."
When we told Rab Douglas what Dad had said he told us, "It was great seeing Eathan come in, his excitement at meeting the players. I hope that he thoroughly enjoyed his day and will never forget it, apart from the result!"
Eathan is presented with a signed ball and top from Dundee FC Chairman Stuart Murphy as (l-r) Jimmy Etchels, Jacqui Robertson, dad Kenney and mum Ann Marie look on
Billy Shepherd, who looks after the mascots for the Club, said "It was a pleasure to have Eathan as a mascot on Saturday. I’d done a bit of work with him beforehand, familiarising him with what to expect on the day and, whether it was that or simply that he is so good natured, he sailed through it and we all had a great time. I love working with the mascots as it lets me show off my Club to the next generation of supporters and it’s really rewarding to see how much they enjoy it. Working with Dreamz4U was also easy as we were all focused on Eathan’s day, and I think the Society Health Initiatives as a whole are an excellent idea as they do an important job in raising the profile locally of very deserving causes."
Society Community Director Jacqui Robertson was also delighted with how Eathan's day went and said, "What an absolutely rewarding experience for everyone involved. I've spent the last few weeks getting to know Eathan's family and working closely with Jimmy at Dreamz and Billy Shepherd who looks after the mascots, and both could not have been more helpful, giving up much of their spare time to make sure every part of Eathan's day was perfect. There was a lot more behind the scenes than I could have imagined as Eathan's condition makes it really important for the day to be structured for him to cope with. The guys made this happen along with everyone at the Football Club that Eathan and his family came into contact with, so I can't thank them all enough. I have to admit to being close to tears when I finally came face to face with Eathan on the pitch at half time, but nothing could have prepared me for the massive smile I got and a cuddle. Thank you to Eathan and his family, I hope it was very special for him. I'd also like to thank Neil Matthew for making sure the signed top made it onto Eathan's bedroom wall and to Grant Cook for all his help."