Hugh Robertson

As a player Hugh Robertson enjoyed considerable success. He had been a part of Dundee’s Scottish League Championship side of 1961-62, played for Scotland, and won the Scottish Cup with Dunfermline. After retiring he became a trainer with Arbroath, before returning to Dens as a coach. and then becoming chief scout.

He had a spell as manager with the Danish club Herfolge in the 1970’s, before returning to Scotland to became a publican.

When Tommy Gemmell resigned, with two games of the 1979-80 season left, and Dundee relegated to the First Division, the club chairman, Ian Gellatly, announced that Hugh (who had been back at Dens coaching) would step in as caretaker manager. He would also remain in charge for the youth team’s  trip to Amsterdam, where they were to play AVV Zeeburgia.

The first match was against Kilmarnock, at home, which Dundee lost 2-0, the second against Celtic, also at home, which they also lost 2-0.

A few weeks after the end of the season, he turned out with former team mates Pat Liney, Andy Penman, and Bobby Waddell to play in Ally Donaldson’s testimonial match at Dens Park.

When Donald Mackay was announced as Dundee’s next manager, Hugh returned to the hospitality industry. He had a pub on Dundee’s Hilltown, before returning to Dalry, Ayrshire where he ran the Royal Hotel.

Hugh died on the 12th March 2010, aged 70.