Dundee's run to the European Cup semi final in 1963 was fairytale stuff.

Dundee won the league the previous year on the final day of the season. I saw every home league game that season (I was young!) and was taken to Perth to see the last game of the season against St. Johnstone. Dundee needed to win to guarantee themselves the title – if not Rangers could overtake them – and St. Johnstone needed a win to avoid relegation. Dundee won 3-1, took the league title for the first and only time in their history while St Johnstone and a young centre forward called Alex Ferguson (yes the same one) were relegated.

The following year West German Champions Cologne (a pre-tournament favourite) were drawn in the first round and Dundee thrashed them 8-1 in the first leg. The Cologne keeper had to leave the game with an injury at half time but even so Dundee were already 5-0 up. In the return league – surprise, surprise – the Dundee goalie Bert Slater was kicked in the head and left the game in the first half injured. He eventually returned to play in the goal in the second half although Cologne won 4-0.

Next up was Sporting Lisbon and the first league was won by the Portuguese champions 1-0. Dundee won the second league 4-1. In the quarter finals Dundee was drawn against Anderlecht who had become only the second team in European Cup history to beat Real Madrid over two legs. The first league was in Brussels and Dundee won 4-1 – I think Alan Gilzean may have scored a hat trick. The second leg was foregone conclusion and Dundee won 2-1. The other teams in the draw for the semi final were reigning champions Benfica (61 and 62), AC Milan and Feyenoord who were as big a surprise as Dundee at the time.

The first leg was in the San Siro and was evenly balanced at half time with the score 1-1. The roof fell in the second half and Milan won 5-1. Dundee won the return league 1-0. Milan went on to win their first European Cup when they beat Benfica 2-1 at Wembley. It was an odd final in that it was played on a Wednesday afternoon.

Jose Altafini, Rivera, Maldini (Paolo’s Dad), Trapattoni were all part of that Milan team. The next year the Dundee team began to break up with Ian Ure moving to Arsenal, Gordon Smith retiring and Alan Gilzean signing for Spurs. Gilzean’s replacement was Charlie Cooke who was fantastic for the year or so he was at Dens and then Tommy Docherty signed him for Chelsea.

Noted Scottish football historian Bob Crampsey is on record as considering the early 60's Dundee side as the finest footballing side Scotland has ever produced, superior even to the Celtic side that did win the European Cup in 1967.

Five years later Dundee also made it to the semi final round of the UEFA Cup (called the Fairs Cities Cup at that time) and lost to a great Leeds side 2-1 on aggregate.

I would be amiss not to include Dundee United’s European Cup adventure in 1984 when they also reached the semi final and were even closer to reaching the final. They drew Roma – a team with the likes of Falcao, Cerezo and World Cup winner Bruno Conti. United won the first leg 2-0 before losing the second leg 3-0. I was in Canada by that time and communication was difficult. I remember having to call Dundee in order to get the scores. Roma also hosted the final that year but lost on penalties to Liverpool.

I can’t think of a smaller city in Europe that has provided two different European Cup/Champions League semi finalists – but I stand to be corrected if anyone else can come up an example.

Latruth - Ask Jeremy about meeting Charlie Cooke at the convention. I introduced them and I'm sure Charlie would gladly be interviewed for the show (particularly by a countryman). He is a regular viewer.

Bobby - It is funny that you should mention that. Just before the broadcast of “Centre Circle”, I took a quick wander around the trade show hoping that I might bump into Charlie. I only had about 15 minutes and the trade show was so large that I doubt I covered even one quarter of the booths.  Not that he would have recognized me anyway. 

After all, I was just one of a bunch of kids who used to play football on the street outside his house when he lived in Dundee.  Two of my best friends while at primary school (elementary in North America) lived close to him-one next door and one across the road.  His home became a natural magnet for any budding player who harboured the typical dream that somehow he would be discovered.  I remember that when Charlie received a cap for Scotland (under-23 against Wales, I think) he gave his Scotland top to my friend of course who brought it to school to show everyone. 

Charlie was signed from Aberdeen to replace Alan Gilzean when Gilzean moved to the Spurs. He didn't stay at Dundee too long-under two years, I think-and moved to Chelsea.  He was an incredible player - the type of player who could destroy any defense in the world and still have the opposition's supporters applaud him.

After he had left Dundee I remember going to Hampden Park in 1968 to see Scotland versus England. The game finished 1-1 though Scotland was the better team -or more to the point Charlie dominated the game with an magical performance that few could have replicated.

I managed to get a copy of his recent autobiography from the UK but have not had a chance to read it yet as I passed it onto my father first.

Hopefully, I can make it to Baltimore next year for the 2008 NSCAA Convention and get to meet him and have him sign the book.

Henry14 - l will have to disagree with you about the Beckham, issue, people forget that Madrid wanted him to stay and he refused, so l feel Capello had to start to prepare for life without Beckham, and l feel that as much as Wenger did with Cole before the move to Chelsea l feel Capello should do the same way, due to the commitment reasons.

Venti_Vidi_ Vici – How can you say Capello's reaction appears petty? First of all it wasn't Capello's sole decision, but that of the technical committee, and I'm sure the decision was made carefully. Beckham announced this deal publicly before even informing Real Madrid, who had already tabled a two year extension offer. I think Capello and Mijatovic have displayed considerable restraint given the circumstances. How do you think Sir Alex or Jose would've reacted?

Bobby - It seems that Real Madrid wanted Beckham to stay so much that it took them over a year to offer a contract and then we find out from President Calderon that Real Madrid did not want him anyway - “our technical staff were right not to extend his contract.”

We also have to consider that Real Madrid leaked the story to the press before Beckham signed for LA that three players were dispensable-Beckham, Ronaldo and Cassano. From my perspective Real Madrid has nothing to complain about. Essentially the technical committee is blaming Real Madrid's recent performances on three players who have hardly spent any time on the park this season. You are right it is not petty - it is much worse it is downright dishonest.

In a ruthless business everyone has to take care of themselves - something that Real Madrid has never hesitated to do. Real Madrid's self preening is nauseating at times. And to cap it off this is the same Fabio Capello who signed a contract with Milan while he was with Real Madrid in the 90s.

Numerous other coaches have had to deal with the same situation-players agreeing to move to other clubs after the conclusion of the season-and have managed the situation quite nicely. But of course Real Madrid is different.

As for how Sir Alex or Jose would react I expect that they would look at what was best for team performance and not get involved with rubbish about insulting the institution.

The last word to Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard - "you always have to look to the interests of the team – everyone wants to win things, and if a player has a contract he can still keep on working."

AlexMorph - Given that Arsenal and Man U turn over their youth talents quickly--bringing in new ones, selling others, developing a bunch--are there any players who it surprises you do not get shipped off?

Bobby - Not particularly. On the other side of the equation I was surprised when Arsenal sold Matthew Upson a couple years ago. 

Atleti female – It’s a bit surprising to me that Villa hasn’t been involved in any major transfers so far. Someone told me that O'Neill was known for his last-minute transfers at Celtic, which unnerved many supporters. Is anyone familiar with Celtic to confirm this?

Bobby - Your information is correct, Martin O'Neill has always been a bit of a last-minute Charlie as far as the transfer market is concerned.

Djnima - A question regarding Ronaldo (el gordo) to Milan. It's clear they need goals but do you think he still has some phenom left in him?

Bobby - I think Ronaldo can still score goals.  Perhaps the question really is does he want to anymore.

Finally, as for predictions, it is not really my thing. Let's face it, you have a one in three chance of being right.

I try to keep predictions to a minimum and generally only when I think there could be a real surprise or when I am lost for anything else to say!!

In Canada the Saturday EPL matches are broadcast on Sportsnet and they do weekly predictions. It is riveting stuff…… Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal to win - how unusual!!!