CCFC Old Boys News: Congrats To James McPake On Dundee’s Success

James celebrates with his victorious team

James McPake (now Dundee manager)

Former Sky Blue James McPake (also a previous CCFPA ‘Player of the Year’ -see below) is currently manager of Scottish Championship outfit Dundee FC and under his guidance the Pars have been pushing for promotion to the Scottish Premier League all season. Two days ago the dream of the Dee’s supporters came true when they made the Premiership after beating Kilmarnock 2-1 in the second leg of the play-off Final at Dens Park (4-2 on aggregate). By all accounts ‘Killie’ were second best throughout the two games.

City signed James from Livingston on 2nd February 2009 after a pre-contract agreement between the two clubs. He had also had some games on loan with Morton. CCFPA Vice Chairman Billy Bell remembers that he traveled to Dunfermline in July 2009 to watch the Scottish outfit (the ‘Pars’) play the Sky Blues in a pre season friendly which City lost 1-0*.  Newly signed James was in the Sky Blues side that day but, sadly, before he could make his City League debut in the Championship, James unfortunately broke his collar bone late in the game and was out for 6 or 7 weeks.

Quentin Kosma(G-Casino); James; Billy Bell & Bob Eales (both CCFPA)

James McPake in the Sky Blue

The defender scored his first and only Sky Blue goal against Leicester City on 21 March 2010. James’ performances in 2009-10 led him to be named the CCFPA/G-Casino ‘CCFC Player of the Season‘ (above). Unlucky with injuries he picked up a problem with his back requiring surgery in May 2011. By the time he left the Ricoh for Scottish club Hibernian in January 2012 James had pulled on the Sky Blue first team shirt just 42 times in four seasons. After Hibs James signed for Dundee in 2014 and by the time he hung up his boots to join their coaching staff had clocked up 55 appearances and four goals for the Dee.

Billy recalls James as ‘a really good lad‘ and intends to approach him at Dundee to ask him to join us at the FPA so, hopefully, there is another new CCFPA member in prospect. Watch this space!

*a comprehensive match report for this game can be found on the Pars official website which can be accessed by clicking here.

Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.