Ex-Dundee hero Rogers regrets Dens departure

“I loved the city, loved the fans. It was naivety and the wrong decision at that time to leave.”

Championship-winning defender Dave Rogers says departing Dundee in 1999 for Ayr United was one of his biggest regrets of his career.

The bubbly Scouser arrived at Dens Park ahead of the 1997/98 season and played 40 times as the Dark Blues won promotion back to the big time and lifted the First Division trophy.

He would leave the following year, however, after an injury-hit campaign in the top flight.

And the former centre-back revealed to the Walking Down The Provie Road podcast that the decision to join the Honest Men was a poor one.

Rogers said: “I was offered a new contract by Dundee but I was misinformed and badly advised to go back and sign for Ayr United. I take a lot of blame myself as well.

“But when I look back, it was the biggest mistake because I loved the city, loved the fans. It was naivety and the wrong decision at that time to leave.

“Ayr wanted to make me captain, be their leader and get promoted, like Dundee just got promoted.

“There was talk of a new stadium so there was a three-year contract with this leadership role and ambitions to get up but I was very naive.

“I listened to the wrong information and in hindsight it turned out to be the wrong decision. I don’t blame anybody, I take responsibility.”

Now head coach at an ambitious American side, FC Arizona, Rogers would only play 20 times for Ayr in the First Division before a spell on loan at Partick Thistle in the Second Division followed.

The former Everton kid would go on to have a successful time in Ireland, winning three league titles with Shelbourne.

But it’s his time at Dens Park as a 21-year-old he looks back on with most fondness.

He said: “You’d be driving and stop at traffic lights and hear a horn go. It would be Dundee fans, showing their tattoos and everything. I love that. That’s passion. Genuine fans.

“It was so rewarding to win the First Division that season and I’ll