As it is a very special year for our very own Julian Speroni and looking ahead to the testimonial at Selhurst Park in May, we spoke with Dan from Dundee fan group Up Wi’ The Bonnets to find out exactly how much love there still is at Dens Park for the Argentine.
Little was known of Argentine goalkeeper Julian Speroni when former boss Ivano Bonetti signed him for Dundee back in 2001.
At that time in Dundee’s history, there seemed to be a constant conveyor belt of foreign talent coming in and out of Dens Park. The signing of Speroni was one that was not really met with much enthusiasm or fanfare if I recall correctly.
It is interesting to consider that our manager at the time, Italian Ivano Bonetti, never actually saw Speroni in the flesh before signing him. In fact, he only ever saw him though the old tried and tested scouting process that involved a VHS tape. Thank goodness for that VHS!
The move to sign Speroni was held up a couple of months while he waited on his Italian passport to be processed courtesy of his parents who were both born in Italy. His debut for the Dee had to wait until early January 2002. It was in the third round of the Scottish Cup, a 1-1 draw against Falkirk at Dens Park.
Unfortunately for him, he did not keep hold of the number one spot for the next game which took place just three days later at Motherwell. After a 4-2 defeat, he was given the chance to shine in the league at home against Edinburgh outfit Hibernian. It was from this match on that he went on an incredible run of games playing for the Dee.
From this first league start against Hibernian, he became an ever present in the starting line up until his final game for Dundee against Livingston at Dens Park in May 2004.
In total he played over a hundred competitive games without losing his place in the team. The only interruption came between his first and second game for the Dark Blues when Jamie Langfield played against Motherwell in his place. Incidentally, Langfield is still playing in Scottish football and is currently on loan at Forfar Athletic from parent club Aberdeen.
The Dens Park faithful knew immediately that they had a special goalkeeper playing between the sticks. Speroni had it all. Comfortable coming for crosses, commanding in the penalty area and a superb shot stopper.
He made many fantastic saves for the club in his career but none stick in the mind more than the free kick he saved in the 2002/03 Scottish Cup fourth round against Aberdeen.
French defender Éric Deloumeaux took a free kick which deflected off the Dundee wall. The ball looked destined to hit the back of the net. With Speroni already committed to diving to his right before it hit the defensive wall, he somehow managed to change direction he was heading to palm the ball away.
Here is the incredible save courtesy of YouTube:
https://youtu.be/K-NYhdAZL6s
I have seen plenty of brilliant saves in my time following the game but hand on heart that was the best I have ever seen. It was saves like that which got us to our first Scottish Cup Final in 39 years as well as our first European competition in 29 years the following season.
Unfortunately, the 2003/04 season saw us plunge into administration and Speroni made his way down to Crystal Palace for a fee of £750,000. The transfer fee itself helped the club massively in its quest for survival but it was hard to take seeing such a tremendous goalkeeper leave for pastures new but if anything, he deserved his big move down South.
I have always looked out for Palace results since he joined and was overjoyed to see the Eagles beat Watford in the Championship Play Off Final at Wembley in May of 2013.
It was great to see him stand there with a piece of silverware in his safe hands. Something that he came within ninety minutes of achieving with us. It is fantastic to see him still pulling off the performances that we have all come to love seeing from him in the English Premier League.
Another thing worth noting is that he now features in the introduction to Match of the Day. That is when you know you really have made it!
In all, Julian Speroni played 113 times and kept 27 clean sheets for Dundee. He also played in a Scottish Cup Final and in European competition. He has achieved cult status up here and many people, including myself, see him as the best goalkeeper that we have ever seen play for the club.
It is quite fitting that he started his league career with a win and clean sheet at Dens Park and ended it with a win and clean sheet at Dens.
Many a Dundee fan will descend down to London at the end of May to see the special goalie. It is great to see both sets of fans interacting and speaking so highly of Julian though social media. There is a great deal of anticipation for the game up here and it will be a joyous occasion for everyone involved.
When it comes down to it, we will all be there to celebrate the career of one man, Julian Speroni. I for one cannot speak highly enough of him and even if I did try, I would end up rambling on even more than I already have!
SPERONI, SPERONI, SPERONI!
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