Two of the guests in the Boardroom last Saturday at the Morton game were John and Marilyn Burke, invited as guests of Society Chairman Scott Glenday, who sets the scene...
"John and Marilyn Burke really are a remarkable couple; to say they belong to a family of Dundee fanatics would be no understatement. I’ve known them both for a long time and had dealings with John throughout my time with the DSA, Dee4Life and the Society. They really have been most supportive and have gone to ridiculous lengths with acts of kindness, willingness, commitment and generosity over the years.
"They recently donated the motorbike that was raffled, not just a motorbike, but a classy bike with a first class paint job – looking great in Club colours, beautiful crest and all. I remember standing at the top of the stairs in the Derry with my bucket during the first period of admin and John arriving with sixty pounds in his hand. On putting it in, I asked him what he was doing, he replied that ‘it was his Birthday’ – summed him up really.
"They’ve been known to come up with giant banners for dinner auctions, hired equipment for ground maintenance projects, produced shirts, badges, ties and offered the help of several generations of their family on a day when we needed volunteers. John and Marilyn actually have their own Supporters Club – the Barry Smith Dark Blues, a tribute to our Manager. They are the only fans I know that felt the need to visit him when he played for Valur (John, Marilyn and daughter Trish travelled to see him); Barry made them most welcome throughout their stay and it’s fair to say he was very pleased to see them. John has ‘Blue Room’ at home and I can only imagine the treasures he keeps in there. One of his most famous efforts was the giant Dee4Life banner that sat in the centre circle and occasionally now sits in the Shankly, it made a lot of money, raised the profile of the Trust and was a really well made piece of work that I personally thought was very special.
John and Marilyn are very close friends of Club legend Doug Cowie, in fact Mr Cowie (John's own words) and his late wife Elizabeth were guests at their wedding. I’m going to finish this piece by mentioning someone else we all know and love… Their Auntie Rachel. A real ‘well kent’ face at Dens for several generations sadly no longer able to attend away games, they still get her along to home games and keep her up to date with what is happening when the Dees are away from home as best they can. John, Marilyn Burke and family, it’s been a privilege and pleasure knowing you all those years – if there is another family like you that attends Dundee games, I haven’t met them yet! Great people and a lovely family that we’re very lucky to have at our Club."
John thanked the Society for their kind invite "We both enjoyed our day and although we have been on a couple of occasions before, there is a distinctly different atmosphere, far more accommodating to the ordinary fans like ourselves.
"Pre-2003 we tended to just go to the games and returned home keeping ourselves to ourselves. That changed with administration the first time round and you don’t know how much something means to you until someone wants to take it away.
"One fantastic outcome from these troubled times is the number of friendships we have made through various fund raising functions with the DSA, the Supporters Society and the DFC fans in general. We have enjoyed every minute of it and thanks to everybody's efforts we will hopefully be supporting our team with the rest of our family for years to come."