“It’s always a concern coming in to preseason, how many new faces are going to be in to replace the retirees?” General Manager Charlie Campbell candidly said. “This year, we’ve seen a large influx of new talent and this has fused very well with the returning crew.”

Week by week, the rookies have found their feet and are in the running for starting berths for the upcoming season. With depth across the squad high, it’s a welcome dilemma for Head Coach Ross MacPherson to deal with. “As recently as two seasons ago, we were playing players out of position and both ways just to field a squad. This year, we have the option and opportunity to rotate the positions to keep fresh personnel on the field. Sure, come the first game some will feel disappointed not to start but everyone has pushed very hard for spots and they will all get their chance to shine.”

With the first game being followed by 3 weeks of training, the chance to quickly fix and implement new things within the team will be there. When asked how he felt about his young squad going in to the new season, MacPherson stated “I haven’t felt this good going in to the first game of the season for a long time. This squad is young, but it is hungry and ready. We will go in to this season prepared and up for the challenge!”

The Dundee Hurricanes first game is at Dawson Park, this Sunday 15th April with a 2.30pm kick off. A big crowd is anticipated and preparations for the year are under way.

Although the previous season saw a number of retirements on both sides of the ball, including defensive captain Lars Halford and talismanic running back Mahamadou Niakate, a well-received trials day in December and a successful recruiting campaign saw the ranks swelled by a welcome influx of rookies. They were quickly put through their paces by the coaching team and introduced to the physicality of the sport by the more experienced players, many quickly showing flashes of talent.

The newcomers will learn their trade in the Northern Conference of the BAFANL Division 2, where the ‘Canes will compete for the second straight year after last year’s 7-3 campaign saw them miss out on play-off football by the narrowest of margins. It was the team’s first winning season for three years after competing at the higher Division 1 level in previous seasons. A largely Scottish division, the season will take in two trips to the west to take on the Glasgow Tigers and Clyde Valley Blackhawks, a day out in the capital against the Edinburgh Wolves and a single raid across the border for a date with the Carlisle Border Reivers.

“What impressed me most about the Div 2 teams was their level of organisation,” commented offensive lineman Stephen Tosh, a veteran of the club’s final season in Division 1. “They were uniformly well drilled and they hit just as hard.”

Whilst widely tipped as favourites for the title, this year’s Hurricanes are taking nothing for granted, knowing that hard work and discipline are the main keys to success. The first signs will come on 1^st April as they take on last year’s division champions, the West Coast Trojans, in a scrimmage practice at Dawson Park. Come on down and show your support!

One particular change to the usual proceedings, however, sees the Canes supporting a very special cause.  Half the proceeds from the night will be donated to local charity “Brooke’s Dream”.  Brooke’s Dream is a charity set up to help fund local youngster Brooke Ramsay to have pioneering treatment for her Cerebral Palsy and the aftercare she will need.  The Dundee Hurricanes are very proud to be able to support such a cause and hope the turnout will help raise a substantial amount for the charity.

So come along to the Dundee Union this Sunday starting from 8.30pm.

Hurrricanes Head Coach Ross MacPherson spoke of his delight at securing an opportunity to view his new look side in action ahead of the 2012 campaign.  ”Last season, we didn’t have a chance to play a game before the season got underway which meant we were trying out new things in competitive action.  This will give us a chance to bleed in some of the new rookies who have joined the club, and also ensure all our preparations are on pace.”

The game will be hosted at Dawson Park at the end of March.  Time and date will be confirmed when we have the information.

With Head Coach Ross MacPherson at the helm, the Canes took to the outdoors at Dawson Park this past Sunday.  The team has a very multi-national feel to it, as is the Hurricanes way, with players from a number of countries including Scotland, England, Ireland, France, America and Canada.  Depth is on display across all areas, which has encouraged the team coaching staff.

“I’m very happy with the way things are shaping up” said General Manager Charlie Campbell.  ”There is some raw talent in amongst the rookies, while we are seeing a number of last season’s team returning looking fitter and stronger.  With the Uni players from Edinburgh still to arrive back, we are very encouraged by the start to 2012.”

There is still plenty of time to get involved, as we are always looking for players, coaches and volunteers.  Training starts at 12pm every Sunday at Dawson Park.  Please feel free to contact us on the link at the top of the page for more information.

The awards were headlined by Overall MVP winner Fraser Thomson bagging a thoroughly well deserved award.  Thomson had an outstanding season in 2011, playing both sides of the football, excelling in every aspect of the field.  Player’s Player award went to newcomer, Wide Receiver Darren MacDonald.  MacDonald joined the Hurricanes in the close season from the Highland Wildcats and was an immediate hit for the Canes, with a number of receiving and rushing TDs and some impressive play, which bodes well for the future.

Offensive MVP went to the retiring Mahamadou Niakate, who was outstanding in his last season with the Canes.  Fellow retiree Lars Halford picked up the Defensive MVP award.  The returning Craig Blacklaw won the Most Improved award after a sensational year at Running Back, while Cornerback Chris Gilray picked up the Rookie of the Year honours.  The awards didn’t stop there however, with Alastair Mackay winning the Lineman of the Year award, and Jay West and Darren MacDonald being recognised for their efforts in 2011 with Outstanding Contribution awards.

After the awards were distributed, the 4 long time Hurricanes who are hanging up their helmets were recognised and roundly applauded for the efforts and commitments over the years to the club.  Lars Halford, Mahamadou Niakate, Stevie Cook (who won the Hurricanes annual golf tournament) and Craig Campbell were all honoured.

With the 2011 season now concluded, the Dundee Hurricanes wish to thank all the players, coaches, helpers and fans for their outstanding efforts this year and promise they will return with a bang in 2012.

The Dundee Hurricanes will be hosting a “Come Try Event” for prospective players.  The event will be open to all comers, whether you have played before or not, everyone is very welcome.  The day is set to be a robust tryout to give a taste of what the Hurricanes is all about.

The event will be free to attend, with the only requirement being bring your own boots (regular soccer boots will be fine).  It will be at Dawson Park and will start at 12pm.  A number of the current Dundee Hurricanes squad will be in attendance and will help and demonstrate the various positions and skills within the game.  Get in touch via the forum or using the “Contact Us” section for any queries or to confirm attendance at the day.

The Canes showed they were chasing the win and Mahamadou Niakate increased the lead with a 16yd run.  They continued to dominate the game but were unable to add to the score and held a impressive 14-6 half time lead.

The third period was to be a disaster for the Canes the Trojans would first score on the 1st play of the 3rd quarter to tie the game and then quickly added further scores to turn the game on its head and lead 14-33 at the end of the period.  Losing several key players to injury in the 3rd period made the mountain too much to climb for the Hurricanes and despite a huge effort the canes lost 14-47.

In the end the Canes missed play off football by half a point and can be proud of their season finishing runners up to the undefeated Trojans.  It was a emotional end to the game with the canes saying farewell to club legends Mahamadou Niakate, Lars Halford, Craig Campbell and Stevie Cook.  The quartet retire after amassing well over 400 appearance’s between them.

The Dundee Hurricanes’ preparations are in place for the final, and undoubtably, most important game of the season against Divisional leaders, the undefeated West Coast Trojans.  The sides last met at Dawson Park in May, with the Trojans leaving the Hurricanes nursing a 50-0 defeat.  Since then, the Canes have regained their early season form, and head into the fixture in 7th place in the Division.  Whilst still in the playoff hunt, the Canes know that only a victory can guarantee their place in the playoffs.

“We need to win this game” said General Manager Charlie Campbell.  ”It’s the only way to be sure of extending our season into the playoffs.  And we have a score to settle with the Trojans from our last encounter.”  Since that fixture, the Canes have seen backfield duo Craig Blacklaw and Mahamadou Niakate return to the side and lead the Canes to some dominant recent victories, and the Canes will be looking to the tandem to lead the charge at the Trojans home.

Follow all the action from the game on our Twitter feed this Sunday.

With the end of the regular season in sight, the Dundee Hurricanes took a trip to Carlisle, to face the Border Reivers.  The Reivers have been winless this season, but not for the lack of effort.  The game kicked off in horrendous conditions, with the rain pouring down and huge waterlogged areas on the pitch.  The Canes Defence took to the field first and set their stall out for the day, forcing the Reivers to punt on the opening series.  The offence has recently turned the corner after a mid season blip, and today they showed their abilities.  On the opening drive for the Canes, Running Back Craig Blacklaw took a huge run through the Reivers for a 46 yard TD, making it 6-0.  Blacklaw soon found the endzone again with another long surging run of 46 yards, however this was pulled back for a penalty, backing up the offence.  However, Blacklaw’s backfield partner Mahamadou Niakate ran the ball for 68 yards to find the endzone shortly after, sending the score to 12-0.  There were more big runs from the backfield duo, but the first quarter ended at 12-0.

Into the 2nd quarter, and Niakate found the endzone for the 2nd time with a 14 yard run, making it 18-0.  The defence were dominating the stuttering Reivers offence, with allowed the Canes back on the field.  Blacklaw again found the endzone with a 47 yard run, but was once again thwarted by a flag on the play.  The Canes went to the air, with Canes QB Bruce Thomson finding Tight End Andrew Macmanus twice, once for 26 yards and then 19 yards.  This set up Craig Blacklaw for an amazing 48 yard run, but for the 3rd time was pulled back for a hold on the play.  Niakate then took up the same run, and he took it the same 48 yards for the score.  Niakate then added the 2point conversion to make it 26-0 at half time.

Into the 3rd quarter, and the offence took to the field in the same vein they ended.  Bruce Thomson scrambled into the endzone after an excellent drive to make it 32-0.  The defence were on top form, shutting down anything thrown at them from the Reivers.  The backfield duo of Blacklaw and Niakate were making excellent runs all day long, and after a short 6 yard pass from Thomson to Wide Receiver Kris Gibson, Blacklaw ran the ball down to the 1 yard line.  This set up rookie Full Back Sam Ross for his first TD of the day to make it 36-0.

The 4th quarter saw the Canes Offence continue to cut their way through the Reivers, with a number of surging runs and passes, a 23 yard pass to Andy Paton being the highlight of the passes.  Niakate then took the ball to the endzone, but an erroneous whistle from the officials stopped the play on the 4 yard line.  This was then ran in by Craig Blacklaw to make it 44-0 after the 2 point conversion.  Niakate then found the endzone from 26 yards, with Paton converting this time to make it 52-0.  Then Thomson took to the air again, a deep pass finding Andy Paton for a 42 yard passing TD to end the game at 58-0.

After the big win, the Hurricanes are now 7-2 for the season, with the league leader West Coast Trojans in their sights to end the regular season.  The Hurricanes will be bouyed by the fact that they have now scored 183 points in their last 3 games.