Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Defender Dave has savours Dark Blues title memories
never forget the following we had at Raith Rovers that day. That’s why Dundee is still in my heart and always will be.
“I look back on it and it was the best decision I made (to join Dundee). What a squad of players and what a club to come and play for.”
Described as a Dundee cult hero in some quarters, Rogers rejects that tag, saying there are more deserving ‘heroes’ for fans at Dens Park.
“I’m a modest guy, I’m no cult hero for Dundee,” he added.
“Bobby Cox was a legend and a hero. I remember when I signed the great man came along to training one day. Bobby came over to shake my hand and it sticks with me.
“He said ‘Scouse! Welcome to the club, mate, great to have you!’ then he added ‘but you’ll never have a left foot as good as mine! To hear that from an actual legend, to make me feel welcome the way he did and the way everyone did, it’ll live with me forever.”
And seeing the fans flock to Stark’s Park on April 11, 1998, where Dundee only needed a point to clinch the First Division title with four games to spare, was one of Rogers’ best recollections in a memorable time at Dens Park.
“We knew we had a squad of players capable of winning the league,” he added.
“We knew the expectations, the fans and the club needed to be back in the Premier League. We knew we had what it took but we never let ourselves get carried away.
“We got to Raith Rovers and only needed a point – I think the celebrations went on for four days after that! It was phenomenal and great memories.
“We saw the support that day and were thinking to ourselves ‘let’s put it to bed, do it today’ after seeing the support behind the goal.
“We got the point and sent everybody back over the Tay Bridge celebrating. It was an unbelievable experience.”