Anyone arriving at Dens Park these days should be familiar with the Dundee FC Supporters Society volunteers, the guys in the white or pink vests who sell books, badges and memberships while helping out with the Community Initiatives and handing out team sheets prior to kick off.
This elite band of helpers, led by John Keith, give their time for no reward to help the cause, they are there to help, but also to answer any questions asked by supporters. One question recently asked was fairly straightforward to answer; "how do I become a volunteer?"
This question was asked by thirteen year old Daniel O’Shea, who was asked to provide some contact details, and two weeks later, along with little sister Shelby, he was soon donning the volunteers vest.
Daniel, Nicola and Shelby Daniel explained how he got involved, "I have been coming to games, and noticed all these people wearing the Dreamz4u vests, and wondered what they did, so I asked. When they said they were volunteers for Dundee FC Supporters Society, I asked how I could do that. They took my details, then during the week I was contacted and asked to come along and help out."
When sister Shelby heard that Daniel was coming along to be a volunteer, she was keen to become involved as well, and asked if she could tag along. At half past one the volunteers meeting then had two new recruits who, with the help of Nicola Ironside, were soon in the swing of things.
Both were put to good use handing out leaflets in the Bobby Cox stand, and with the help of all the other volunteers in the Coxy, were soon looking like seasoned veterans.
Daniel tells us he plays for Lincraig, either up front or in the goal, and has been top scorer for his team for the last three years; Shelby plays for St Vincent's as a defender, and is the only volunteer who has a fleece and hat combination that matches the colour of the pink vests, or at least the only one to admit to it!
Nicola, who was keeping an eye on Daniel and Shelby, was suitably impressed with the new recruits, and indeed young Shelby’s fashion sense, "they have fitted right in today, and for being so young, they have showed a bit of bottle, first to be asking about the volunteering, and then to turn up here and carry out their duties, and looking like they have been doing it for years. I remember my first time volunteering, and while everyone is really great, its still a pretty nerve-wracking experience to arrive for the first time.
"Daniel and Shelby have shown that even at ten and thirteen, if you just pluck up the courage to take that first step, then you too could be helping Dundee FC Supporters society, and then obviously Dundee FC."
Anyone wishing to follow in the footsteps of the two youngsters should take heart from their example, ask a volunteer, and get yourself involved. The role of a volunteer gives you the chance to give something back, while giving that feeling that in some small way, you are part of the team we all turn up to watch, and anyone wishing to help out will always be welcomed by the existing volunteer team.
Alternatively, prospective volunteers can get in touch with us via the "contact us" facility and we'll get right back to you.