Ex-Dark Blues coach says academy is crucial for club

time, the youth set-up at the club was first class.

“We had so many players come through and play for the first team, making their debut for Dundee.

“There was a great youth team at that point and I think we had seven or eight boys alone one season go up to the first team.

“There’s such a long list came through during my time. Let’s see, there’s Jamie Langfield, Dave Mackay, Lee Wilkie, Graham Bayne and guys like Scott Robertson, Steven Robb, Gavin Beith, John Elliott, Steven Milne – there are loads of them and I’ve forgotten to mention a few there.

“That’s the most enjoyable thing about working in the youth set-up – seeing kids come in at a young age and develop into first-team players. It’s your job to deliver that, that’s what the club wants and you get satisfaction from that.”

He added: “It’s so important for football clubs to have a good youth academy. Back when I was there it was Kenny Cameron who had set it all up and then we had good backing from Jocky Scott when he was manager.

“Stevie was brought in and we had a really good team of coaches at the club and that’s what you need.

“I don’t know exactly what the set-up is now because I’ve been away for a while but it sounds like they’ve been building that at Dundee.”

Former players like Barry Smith, Scott Robertson and Robbie Raeside are among those back working at the club.

Raeside this week revealed to Tele Sport he had offered to give up his time for free to continue coaching the U/15s to help the academy can survive beyond the current crisis.

To ‘Jinky’ that sort of attitude isn’t a shock from someone like Raeside.

“That’s no surprise that there are coaches willing to give up their time for free for the kids at Dundee – it is a surprise to hear that come from a Fifer like Robbie, though! That’s a first!” he joked.

‘Jinky’ is now working for the city council as a Resource Worker for youngsters but still keeps a hand in the game as assistant manager to George Shields at Lochee United.

He added: “I enjoy it at Lochee, there’s no pressure there and they have a great set-up. We’re hoping to be back training at the end of July and, hopefully, playing again in October. It’ll be good to be back out on that training pitch.”

Dave Mackay and Scott Robertson were among a swathe of young players who came through the youth ranks at Dens Park.