Saturday 30th January 2010
The third annual Dundee United Hall of Fame dinner took place last night and for the third year running, it was sponsored by ArabTRUST.
The night's proceedings got underway with an address from DUFC Chairman Stephen Thompson who spoke of the difficult financial times that 'football is not immune to'.
Following dinner, the raffle (which included the star prize of match day mascot together with Executive Level Hospitality worth £450) and comidian John McKelvie, the serious business of the Auction got underway.
With all proceeds going to United's Youth Development, bidders were not shy when it came to items such as a limited edition of 100 bottle of Centenary Whisky #83 signed by Jim McLean going for £725. Lorraine Kelly was taken enough with a Five Star Borrusia Moenchengladbach Massacre frame to win it for £850 whilst matchball sponsorship plus full hospitality for Rangers this April went for £1,100. The biggest bid of the evening was £2,200 for the number 17 squad number for next season.
Up next, it was Gary Robertson with his superb Hall of Fame poem for the 2010 inductees which included some affectionate yet hilarious swipes at some of those being 'honoured' in it!
Before it was time to induct the Class of 2010, it was time for a surprise honour. Alistair 'Breeks' Brodie has been in charge of merchandise for ArabTRUST ever since its formation in 2003. Along with his wife Stella, Breeks has also run the ArabTRUST Tangerine Trading Post in the Lower George Fox for 7 years. At the next ArabTRUST AGM on February 27th, Breeks will be standing down from the Board as he and Stella 'retire' from their ArabTRUST duties.
Breeks has raised over £75,000 for ArabTRUST and to recognise this massive contribution, Breeks was presented with a bottle of Centenary Whisky by Stephen Thompson and an invitation to be match day guests before chants of 'speech' meant that Breeks had little choice but to take to the stage to say a few words. For a man who was unprepared, he immediately broke into a passionate and articulate address about the importance of ArabTRUST and was keen to impress just how much we do for United. He was on fine form and delivered the best speech of the evening. He rejoined Stella back at the ArabTRUST table to a deserved applause becoming of a man who has given an immeasurable amount of his time, effort, passion and skill to ArabTRUST. We are sad to know that we will soon be losing him and Stella, it was very appropriate for them to be recognised in such a way by Dundee United.
It was now down to business, the Magnificent Seven were inducted into the Dundee United Hall of Fame by the BBC's Brian Taylor - Stewart Fraser, the late Ian Mitchell, Billy Hainey, Paul Sturrock, Davie Dodds, John Clark and Dave Boman.
All were presented with their Hall of Fame shield by Catherine Thompson before Brian Taylor himself was honoured for being host at the last 3 Hall of Fame dinners as well as the 25th Anniversary of winning the league dinner, 30th anniversary dinner of winning our first cup and the Centenary dinner. He was presented with a specially made frame of all of those events.
The evening was rounded off by comedian Bert Allan before the Magnificent Seven took to the stage once more to rapturous applause.
Happy 22nd brithday to ArabTRUST member Kylie Anderson too!
See more photos from the night on our Facebook and Bebo pages.
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