The 2008–09 season covers the period from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009 and is the club's one hundredth season, having been founded as Dundee Hibernian in 1909. Review and events The pre-season period began with a number of new signings at the club. Dundee midfielder Scott Robertson was one of three players to agree pre-contract deals in June and he was followed by fellow player Paul Dixon shortly afterwards. Willo Flood returned on a second successive season-long loan and fellow Cardiff City player Warren Feeney followed on a similar deal, with Spanish striker Francisco Sandaza and Irish forward Roy O'Donovan (loan) the final signings. A number of players who were out of contract left the club following the end of the 2007–08 season, including Christian Kalvenes who moved to Burnley, and Mark Kerr, who followed Lee Mair, Stuart Duff and Lee Miller in recent years by signing for New Firm rivals Aberdeen. Last season's top scorer Noel Hunt left in July to join his brother Stephen at English side Reading. Chairman Eddie Thompson died of prostate cancer on 15 October. Chronological list of events This is a list of the significant events to occur at the club during the 2008–09 season, presented in chronological order. This list does not include transfers, which are listed in the transfers section below, or match results, which are in the results section. 22 July: The club reject a £500,000 bid from Reading for striker Noel Hunt. 23 July: Reading's increased offer for Hunt – thought to be about £600,000 – is considered. 28 July: Former United player and manager Paul Sturrock announces he has Parkinson's disease, just days before United face his club Plymouth Argyle in a friendly. 28 August: United reject an approach from former manager Craig Brewster – now at Inverness CT – for Darren Dods. 31 August: Former United player Jamie Dolan dies of a heart attack whilst out jogging. 4 September: Garry Kenneth scores in Scotland under-21s 3–1 win against Slovenia. David Robertson also appeared as a late substitute. 6 September: Winger Craig Conway extends his contract until 2011. 9 September: Garry Kenneth's eighth Scotland under-21 cap ends in disappointment as defeat in Denmark ends their hopes of qualifying for the 2009 European Championship. 10 September: Director John Bennett resigns from the board with immediate effect. 20 September: Defender Mihael Kovačević suffers a fractured cheekbone during the closing