The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
James McPake charged by police over weekend incident in Dundee pub
COURT: Dundee FC manager to appear alongside former Dens hero Gary Irvine
Dundee Football Club manager James McPake and Forfar player Gary Irvine have been charged in relation to a weekend incident at a Dundee bar.
Police Scotland confirmed two men, aged 35 and 34, had been charged in connection with a disturbance at The Braes public house on Perth Road in Dundee at around 11.30pm on Sunday.
A spokesman for the force said: “They are both due to appear at Dundee Sherriff Court at a later date.”
The Courier understands the two men charged by police are former Hibernian and Coventry City player McPake and ex-Dundee star Gary Irvine, who currently plays for Scottish League One side Forfar Athletic.
In a statement on Tuesday, Police Scotland confirmed officers were called to The Braes after receiving reports of a disturbance at the venue “which resulted in a man sustaining a serious injury”.
A spokeswoman for the pub also confirmed an incident had taken place that evening.
McPake joined Dundee Football Club from Hibernian in 2014 and went on to make 50 league appearances for the club.
He announced his retirement from the game in January 2018 but went on to take up a coaching role in Dundee’s academy system.
He was then appointed as caretaker manager of the club, following the departure of former Dunfermline Athletic boss Jim McIntyre on May 12.
He took control for the final game of the 2018-19 season against St Mirren and was appointed as the manager of the club on a full-time basis weeks later.
Gary Irvine joined Dundee in 2010 and went on to become a club legend, making more than 160 league appearances and forming part of the “Dee-fiant” team who came together as the club faced administration in 2010-11 and were deducted 25 points.
He stayed with Dundee and signed a new deal in 2012 despite relegation and reported interest from a number of top division sides.
His ability to play in a number of positions helped make him a vital firstteam player and he went on to become vice-captain during his tenure at Dundee.
When he left the club to sign for St Mirren in 2016 he was the last remaining member of the famous 2010-11 team. Gary Harkins, who was then the club captain, also played a part in the heroics but had already left and returned.
Forfar Athletic Football Club confirmed it was aware of the situation but declined to comment as it is now a matter for the police.
Dundee Football Club are also aware of the incident and declined to comment.