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Dundee United F.C.

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This article is about the side formed in 1909. For the similarly named club formed in 1893, see Dundee F.C.

Dundee United
Full nameDundee United Football Club
Nickname(s)The Terrors, The Tangerines
Founded24 May 1909; 115 years ago (1909-05-24)
(as Dundee Hibernian)
GroundTannadice Park
Capacity14,223[1]
ChairmanMark Ogren
ManagerJim Goodwin
LeagueScottish Premiership
2023–24Scottish Championship, 1st of 10 (promoted)
Websitewww.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk
Current season

Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian,[2] the club changed to the present name in 1923.[3] United are nicknamed The Terrors[4] or The Tangerines and the supporters are known as Arabs.[5]

The club have played in tangerine shirts mostly accompanied by black shorts since August 1969, and have played at Tannadice Park since the club's foundation in 1909. United was a founding member of the Scottish Premier League (SPL) in 1998, and was ever-present in the competition until it was abolished in 2013 to make way for the SPFL structure. In recent years, United's top flight status has wavered, having spent only six seasons in the Premiership since 2013–14. After winning the 2023–24 Scottish Championship they returned to the top flight for the 2024–25 season.

Domestically, the club has won the Scottish Premier Division on one occasion (1982–83), the Scottish Cup twice (1994 and 2010) and the Scottish League Cup twice (1979 and 1980). United appeared in European competition for the first time in the 1966–67 season, going on to appear in Europe in 14 successive seasons from 1976. They also reached the European Cup semi-finals in 1983–84 and the UEFA Cup final in 1987.

The club contest the Dundee derby with local rivals Dundee; this is the geographically closest derby in Britain, as Dens Park stadium is located virtually next door to Tannadice Park.[6] Dundee United have won the local derby 81 times, Dundee have won it 49 times, and there have been 44 draws between the close rivals.

History

[edit]
Main article: History of Dundee United F.C.
Chart of historic performance of Dundee United in the League.

Beginning (1909–1959)

[edit]

The club was formed as Dundee Hibernian in 1909, playing from the outset at Tannadice Park (previously known as Clepington Park), named after the street it's located on - Tannadice Street. They were voted into the Scottish Football League in 1910. After being saved from going out of business in October 1923, the club changed their name to Dundee United in order to widen their appeal. Between 1925 and 1932 United were promoted and relegated between the first and second tier three times, winning the Second Division title in 1925 and 1929.[7]

Promotion to the top flight (1959–1971)

[edit]

The club took significant strides forward when Jerry Kerr became manager in 1959. Kerr's team won promotion in his first season in charge and became an established team in the top flight, where they remained until 1995.[8]

A key characteristic of Kerr's reign was the strengthening of the playing squad with Scandinavian imports,[8] most notably with the signings of Lennart Wing, Finn Dossing, Mogens Berg, Finn Seemann and Orjan Persson.

It was during this period that United qualified for European competition for the first time, eliminating Inter-Cities Fairs Cup holders Barcelona on their European debut in 1966.

Jim McLean era (1971–1993)

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Jim McLean took over from Kerr in 1971 and under his management the club enjoyed the most successful era in its history. McLean's era became known for his youth policy and the offering of long-term contracts that would see future Scotland international players such as Dave Narey, Paul Sturrock, Paul Hegarty, Davie Dodds, Eamonn Bannon and Maurice Malpas spend the majority of their careers at the club.[9]

United won their first major honour under McLean, capturing the Scottish League Cup in 1979 and again in 1980.[10] They were crowned Premier Division champions in 1982–83.

The club were also successful in Europe, reaching the European Cup semi-finals in 1984 and the UEFA Cup Final in 1987,[10] the latter campaign involving another elimination of Barcelona during the earlier rounds (maintaining a 100% record over the Spaniards in competitive European ties).[11][12] Despite losing to IFK Gothenburg in the final, the club was awarded a FIFA Fair Play Award.[13]

McLean retired as manager in 1993, but remained as club chairman.[14]

Scottish Cup wins and relegation (1993–2016)

[edit]
Manager Peter Houston celebrating Dundee United's 2010 Scottish Cup Final win

United won the Scottish Cup for the first time in 1994 under McLean's successor Ivan Golac, but were relegated in 1995, before returning to the Premier Division a year later.

Following a number of board changes, the club was purchased from McLean in 2002 by former Morning Noon and Night co-founder and chief executive Eddie Thompson.[15] A lifelong United fan, Thompson invested heavily in the team in a bid to compete with significant spending which had developed following the formation of the Scottish Premier League, however little progress was made until Craig Levein became manager in 2006. Levein established United as a top six club, regularly achieving European qualification before he left the club to take the post as Scotland men's national team manager in 2009.[16]

With the foundations of the side in place, United won the Scottish Cup for a second time in 2010 under the management of Peter Houston.

After several relatively successful seasons, a series of poor results in the Premiership led to United being relegated in 2016.[17]

Scottish Championship and promotion battles (2016–2020)

[edit]

Dundee United's first season in the Championship was under the management of Ray McKinnon. United won the Challenge Cup by beating St Mirren 2–1 in the final and they reached the play-off final for the Premiership. However they lost narrowly 1–0 to Hamilton. The second season in the second tier was less successful, as manager McKinnon was sacked and replaced with Csaba László; after a very disappointing season, United lost in the play-off semi-final to eventual promotion winners Livingston. After a poor start to the 2018–19 season the manager was once again sacked and replaced with Robbie Neilson. The team finished second in the Championship but lost in the play-offs to St Mirren, missing four penalty kicks in the process. United started the 2019–20 season in title winning form, maintaining the top spot since the opening weekend, but the season was postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic on 13 March 2020. On 15 April 2020, the SPFL plan proposing an end to the season was approved. A 14-point lead over second place Inverness CT saw United crowned champions and subsequently promoted back to the Premiership. On 21 June 2020, the club announced that they were parting ways with manager Robbie Neilson, who agreed a deal to return to newly relegated side Heart of Midlothian.

Scottish Premiership return (2020–2023)

[edit]

Prior to the start of the Premiership season, Dundee United hired Tranmere Rovers manager Micky Mellon to replace Neilson, and began their campaign at home to Tayside rivals St Johnstone, drawing 1–1. In their first season back in the top flight United finished in 9th place, whilst also making a Scottish Cup semi final appearance, losing to Hibernian.

In May 2021 Mellon departed the club, being replaced on 7 June by Tam Courts.[18] Courts first season as Dundee United manager saw the team finish 4th, their highest position since 2014, and qualify to play in the third qualification round of the 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League.[19]

United were eliminated in the third qualification round by AZ Alkmaar after a 7–1 aggregate defeat, losing 7–0 away from home, equaling the record defeat for a Scottish club in European competition.[20] They started the league season equally poorly, and were beaten 9–0 at home by Celtic on 28 August 2022.[21] United continued to play poorly throughout the season, leading to the departure of two managers as the club faced an unexpected relegation battle. The first was Jack Ross, who was appointed as manager before the season[22] - he was sacked after the 9–0 loss to Celtic.[23] Ross was succeeded by Liam Fox, first on an interim basis and then as full-time head coach after a win against Livingston in the League Cup.[24] Fox was in charge of the club until February where after a horror show against fellow relegation rivals Ross County United lost 4–0, resulting in the second managerial departure in the same season.[25] The club turned to Jim Goodwin, who had himself been relieved from his role at Aberdeen in February, to save their season, appointing him along with long-time assistant Lee Sharp on a short-term deal until the end of the Premiership season.[26] Goodwin led the club from being 5 points adrift at the foot of the table, and without a win in the league since January to losing only twice in seven matches, to 4 points above bottom side Ross County in the table into 10th ahead of Kilmarnock in 11th on goal difference.[27] United entered the split knowing that a couple more victories would all but secure their top-flight status for another season but became only the second side to go a post-split campaign without picking up a single point and were consigned to relegation back to the Championship after a 3–2 loss away at Motherwell on the final day.[28]

Relegation back to the Championship and immediate Premiership return (2023–present)

[edit]

Just before United's relegation was confirmed, Goodwin signed a 2-year deal to remain manager of United.[29] Goodwin subsequently announced he will allow any player who wishes to leave the club to do so.[30] United had a much changed side for their first competitive outing came in the League Cup group stage against The Spartans, who had just gained promotion from the Lowland League into the SPFL set up. The matchday squad contained only 9 players from the squad that lost to Motherwell two months prior. United suffered a shock 1–0 defeat at Ainslie Park[31] before losing once again to Partick Thistle in their first home match in the group stage.[32] United then went on an incredible run of form, winning 14 of their next 17 matches across all competitions without losing, so that after a 2–1 win away to Dunfermline United sat on top of the Championship, with 31 points from a possible 39.[33]

It was not all smooth sailing for the Tangerines however, as they then fell out of the Challenge Cup at the quarter final stage to League One side Falkirk[34] before then crashing out of the Scottish Cup at the first time of asking to another League One side in Queen of the South.[35] United suffered their first defeat of the season against high flying Raith Rovers at Tannadice. Raith had been unbeaten in 6 consecutive matches before their victory meaning that despite only losing once United were second in the league and 5 points behind the Fife side.[36]

United continued to pick up victories going into the new year, although draws against Queen's Park and Dunfermline and a loss to Greenock Morton blemished United's run. Raith led United by 4 points as they met once more at Stark's Park. United once again fell victim to the Rovers - this time to an 89th minute wonder strike from Rovers' captain Scott Brown.[37] The atmosphere at Tannadice was beginning to sour, as after a 2–0 home defeat to Airdrie the jeers and boos rained from the stands at the players and manager.[38]

United managed to gain form towards the end of the season, after a near halfway line goal from Louis Moult against Inverness secured a draw to put the Tannadice side clear of Raith by 1 point.[39] The next match was between the two title challengers and seemed likely to prove decisive in the race for promotion. United defeated Raith for the first time that season winning 2–0 to send United 4 clear at the top of the league, a position that they would not relinquish.[40] United all but secured the Championship title and promotion back to the Premiership with a 1–0 win over Ayr United at Tannadice in April, putting them 6 points clear of Raith with two games to spare, with United's goal difference 36 more than Rovers'.[41] The title, and subsequent promotion, was officially confirmed after a 0–0 draw at Airdrie on 26 April 2024.

Colours and badge

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dundee United F.C. kits.

United's playing kit consists of tangerine shirts and black shorts, first used when the team played under the Dallas Tornado moniker in the United Soccer Association competition of 1967, which they were invited to participate in after their first European excursion had created many headlines in the football world.[42] After persuasion by the wife of manager Jerry Kerr, the colour would soon be adopted as the club's own in 1969 to give the club a brighter, more modern image. The new colour was paraded for the first time in a pre-season friendly against Everton in August.

When founded as Dundee Hibernian, they had followed the example of other clubs of similar heritage by adopting the traditionally Irish colours of green shirts and white shorts. By the time the club became Dundee United in 1923, the colours had been changed to white shirts and black shorts as they sought to appeal to a wider cross-section of the community. These colours persisted in various forms up until 1969, sometimes using plain shirts, but also at various times including Celtic-style broad hoops, Queen's Park-style narrow hoops and an Airdrie-style "V" motif.

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor (front) Shirt sponsor (sleeve)
1973–1976 Bukta none none
1976–1985 Adidas
1985–1987 VG
1987–1989 Belhaven
1989–1991 ASICS
1991–1992 Bukta
1992–1993 Loki
1993–1994 none
1994–1996 Pony Rover
1996–1998 Telewest
1998–2000 Olympic Sports
2000–2003 TFG Sports
2003–2006 Morning, Noon and Night
2006–2008 Hummel Anglian Home Improvements
2008–2009 Carbrini Sportswear
2009–2010 Nike
2010–2016 Calor
2016–2018 McEwan Fraser Legal
2018–2019 Utilita
2019–2020 Macron
2020–2021 Eden Mill
2021–2022 Eden Mill Utilita
2022–2023 Quinn Casino Primero Contracts[43]
2023–2024 Erreà Bartercard Spaces Taylored[44]
2024– Quinn Casino Trade-Mart[45]

The present club badge was introduced in 2022, and saw the previous lion rampant design updated in a new logo incorporating the club colours.[46] To mark the club's centenary in 2009, a special version of the badge with an added "1909 2009 Centenary" logo was introduced for the duration of the 2009–10 season, along with additional green trim on the badge, representing Dundee Hibernian's colours.

Previously, the lion had been represented on a simpler shield design. Although this "classic" version had been used as the club crest on the cover of the matchday programme as early as 1956, it had never appeared on the players' strip prior to 1983. Since 1959, various other designs had been worn on the shirts, incorporating either the lion rampant or the letters DUFC, often on a circular badge.

The club first introduced shirt sponsorship in the 1985–86 season when future chairman Eddie Thompson's VG chain sponsored the club in the first of a two-year deal. A six-year association with Belhaven then ensued with a sponsorless 1993–94 season. Rover began a two-year deal early in time for the 1994 Scottish Cup final, sponsoring the club until the end of the 1995–96 season. Telewest took over sponsorship from 1996 for six years until Eddie Thompson's Morning, Noon and Night started sponsoring the club in 2002. This association continued until 2006 when Anglian Home Improvements began a two-year deal with an optional third year. At the same time, Ole International became the first shorts sponsors. JD Sports' Carbrini Sportswear brand sponsored the club in the 2008–09 and 2009–10 seasons. United's shirt sponsor from the 2016–17 season was McEwan Fraser Legal, before Utilita took over the sponsorship from 2018 until 2021. United's shirt sponsor was then Eden Mill, who took over before the 2021–22 season, followed by two one-year sponsorships from Quinn Casino and Bartercard. Their current shirt sponsor is Quinn Casino.

United have had a number of official kit suppliers, including Adidas, Hummel, Nike, Macron and most recently Erreà.

Historical kits

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Home

c. 1909
c.1929–30
1986–87
1990–91
1993–94
1994–95
2006–07
2008–09
2009–10
2010–11
2011–12

Alternative

1985–86
1989–91
1995–96
2002–03
2009–10
2013–14

Stadium

[edit]

Dundee United's home ground throughout their history has been Tannadice Park, located on Tannadice Street in the Coldside area of the city. It is situated a mere 170 yards (160 m) away from Dens Park, home of rivals Dundee;[47] The club has only ever played one home fixture at another venue. This was a League Cup tie against Rangers in March 1947, when despite snow rendering Tannadice Park unplayable, the match was able to go ahead across the road at Dens Park.

Tannadice is currently an all-seater with a capacity of 14,223.[1] The Main Stand, built in 1962, was the first cantilever to be constructed at a Scottish football ground.[48] For long periods of its history, only a small proportion of the ground contained seated accommodation. In the late 1980s the ground had 2,252 seats out of a total capacity of 22,310.[48]

Tannadice Park is situated just 300 metres from Dens Park, home of neighbours Dundee

The comparative age and proximity of their stadiums has led to various discussions about the possibility of both Dundee clubs moving to a new, purpose-built shared stadium. The most recent proposal was put forward as part of Scotland's bid to jointly host the UEFA Euro 2008 championship,[49] with several clubs seeking to benefit from a new stadium.[50] With planning permission given to a proposed site at Caird Park,[51] special dispensation was requested to proceed with the proposal,[52] as rules at the time forbade SPL teams from groundsharing. Following Scotland's failed bid to host the tournament, the scheme was shelved,[53] although it was resurrected in June 2008, following doubts about joint-host Ukraine's ability to stage Euro 2012, and the SFA's keenness to act as an alternative host.[54]

In June 2024, Dundee United announced CalForth Construction as the stadium naming rights partner. As part of the agreement the stadium will be known as the CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park until summer 2026.[55]

League Attendance

[edit]

The table below displays Dundee United's league attendances since 2010.

The highest attendance in that period came on 30 August 2019 when United beat their city rivals Dundee 6–2 in front a 14,108 crowd, their largest league attendance since 1998.[56][57] In the same season United also set their highest average attendance and highest low attendance of the decade, these records being set despite the club residing in the second tier of the Scottish Professional Football League at the time. The lowest attendance of the 2019–20 season was larger than the highest attendance of the previous year, likely due to United's strong performance.[58][59]

Due to United's failure to gain promotion back to the Scottish Premiership over the previous seasons and growing mistrust of the club chairman and owner, 2018–19 saw the lowest average attendance of the decade.[60] The lowest attendance was set the season before.[61]

Since the end of the decade, United's attendance figures have been hampered by the COVID-19 Pandemic, however the clubs successes in the 2021–22 season led to the highest average attendance since 2020, despite the club being relegated.

The table does not include playoff attendances.

Dundee United Attendance 2010–2023
Season Division Tier Place Lowest Attendance Highest Attendance Average Attendance
2010–11 Scottish Premier League 1 4th 4,918 11,790 7,389
2011–12 Scottish Premier League 1 4th 5,232 11,741 7,496
2012–13 Scottish Premier League 1 6th 5,117 13,538 7,547
2013–14 Scottish Premiership 1 4th 5,784 12,601 7,548
2014–15 Scottish Premiership 1 5th 5,243 12,964 8,114
2015–16 Scottish Premiership 1 12th 4,689 11,835 7,969
2016–17 Scottish Championship 2 3rd 4,661 10,925 6,584
2017–18 Scottish Championship 2 3rd 3,620 6,936 5,505
2018–19 Scottish Championship 2 2nd 4,201 6,532 5,079
2019–20 Scottish Championship 2 1st 6,929 14,108 8,496
2020–21 Scottish Premiership 1 9th 0* 0* 0*
2021–22 Scottish Premiership 1 4th 0* 12,806 6,972
2022–23 Scottish Premiership 1 12th 7,430 12,599 8,625

*Spectators were not allowed to attend matches due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Rivalries

[edit]
Dundee United faced rivals St Johnstone in the 2014 Scottish Cup Final

Dundee United's traditional rivals are Dundee, with whom they compete in the Dundee derby. The fixture was lacking a competitive element for a number of years until Dundee's return to the top flight of the Scottish game. A unique element of the rivalry lies in the fact that the clubs' stadiums are located within 100 yards of one another.

In spite of their rivalry, the two sides previously contemplated ground-sharing as part of the SFA's unsuccessful bid to host Euro 2008. Perhaps the most notable meeting was the final game of the 1982–83 Premier Division season, where if United were victors at Dens Park, they would clinch the top flight title; United were victorious thanks to an Eamonn Bannon winner.

Another intense fixture is that of the New Firm derby between United and North-East rivals Aberdeen. The match itself became one of fierce competition due to the domestic and European success the two sides achieved in the late 1970s and 1980s under the stewardship of United's Jim McLean and Aberdeen's Alex Ferguson.

The rivalry between Dundee United and Rangers has become a significant fixture in Scottish football in recent times, marked by competitive intensity and off-the-pitch drama. It gained prominence in the 1980s and 1990s when Dundee United, under Jim McLean, challenged the dominance of Rangers and other Glasgow clubs. Key moments, such as Dundee United's 1994 Scottish Cup final victory over Rangers, and various contentious league matches, heightened tensions.

The major spark for the rivalry between the two clubs was when Dundee United played a significant role in the relegation saga of Rangers during the 2011–12 season, marked by Rangers' financial turmoil. After Rangers entered administration and received a 10-point deduction, Dundee United delivered crucial defeats that added to Rangers' on-field struggles.

Alongside other SPL clubs, Dundee United voted against allowing Rangers to retain their place in the top tier, leading to Rangers' demotion to the Third Division. United supporters expressed their views by saying season tickets will not be renewed unless the board voted against Rangers. Chairman Stephen Thompson stated "The board of directors of Dundee United are unequivocal in the belief that a form of sporting punishment must form part of the reasoning behind any decision made and, therefore, cannot vote the newco into the SPL. General sporting integrity and, more importantly, the integrity of Scottish football must also play a significant part in the decision making process. It is our belief that any form of sporting punishment must be unambiguous in the message it displays. The board of directors will act in the best interest of Dundee United and our supporters and Scottish football on this matter."[62]

The outcome of the vote, held on July 4, 2012, was that the majority of SPL clubs voted against allowing Rangers to retain their place in the top tier. As a result, Rangers were placed in the Scottish Third Division (fourth tier) for the 2012–13 season. Many media outlets claimed "When Rangers were on their knees, it was United who kicked them hardest."

Current squad

[edit]

First-team squad

[edit]
As of 24 October 2024[63]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules, some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK England ENG Jack Walton (on loan from Luton Town)
2 DF Australia AUS Ryan Strain
4 DF Scotland SCO Kevin Holt
5 DF Croatia CRO Vicko Ševelj
6 DF Scotland SCO Ross Graham
7 FW North Macedonia MKD Kristijan Trapanovski
9 FW England ENG Louis Moult
10 MF North Macedonia MKD David Babunski (vice-captain)
11 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Will Ferry
12 MF Kenya KEN Richard Odada
13 GK Scotland SCO Jack Newman
14 MF Scotland SCO Craig Sibbald
15 MF Scotland SCO Glenn Middleton
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Emmanuel Adegboyega (on loan from Norwich City)
17 DF England ENG Luca Stephenson (on loan from Liverpool)
18 FW Scotland SCO Kai Fotheringham
19 FW England ENG Sam Dalby (on loan from Wrexham)
20 FW Bonaire BOE Jort van der Sande
23 MF Scotland SCO Ross Docherty (captain)
25 GK Wales WAL Dave Richards
29 MF Scotland SCO Miller Thomson
31 DF Scotland SCO Declan Gallagher
39 MF Scotland SCO Scott Constable
42 FW Scotland SCO Owen Stirton
70 FW Nigeria NGA Meshack Ubochioma

On loan

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules, some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
27 FW Scotland SCO Rory MacLeod (on loan at Southampton)
30 MF Scotland SCO Lewis O'Donnell (on loan at Queen of the South)
32 FW Scotland SCO Tony Watt (on loan at Motherwell)
36 FW Scotland SCO Bryan Mwangi (on loan at Broxburn Athletic)
No. Pos. Nation Player
37 DF Scotland SCO Samuel Cleall-Harding (on loan at Kelty Hearts)
40 MF Scotland SCO Sean Borland (on loan at Cumbernauld Colts)
41 GK Scotland SCO Ruairidh Adams (on loan at Kelty Hearts)
43 FW Scotland SCO Adam Carnwath (on loan at Cumbernauld Colts)

Staff

[edit]
Position Name
Manager Jim Goodwin
Assistant manager Lee Sharp
First team coach Dave Bowman
Goalkeeping coach Paul Mathers
Head of recruitment Michael Cairney
Head of football operations Ross Starke
Head of player care Niall Nicolson
Academy director Scott Allison
Head of player pathway and loans Brian Grant
Head of player development Andy Payne
Physiotherapist Kevin Milne
Sports scientist Ewan Anderson
First team analyst Aidan Croll
Strength and conditioning coach Allan Gartshore
Head of medical Marcin Szostak
Kit coordinator Andy Bryan

Achievements

[edit]

League

[edit]

Dundee United's first trophy came in 1925, when they won the 1924–25 Division Two championship. After two seasons in the top tier, they were relegated, but they won the Division Two title for a second time in 1928–29. Immediate relegation followed and the club finished runners-up in 1931–32.[7] Another runners-up spot was claimed in 1959–60, in manager Jerry Kerr's first season, and from then club remained in the top division for the next 35-years.[8] Under Jim McLean's management, the club won the Premier Division title for the only time, in 1982–83, resulting in European Cup football the following season. The title win was United's last major league success, although they finished runners-up in the First Division in 1995–96, after nearly avoiding relegation the previous season, and in third place in their first season back in the Premier Division. A third lower league title was added in 2019–20, after the curtailment of the campaign with United clear in 1st place and subsequently a fourth lower league title was added in 2023–24, as United won the Championship title.

Cups

[edit]

The club had to wait several decades before their first realistic chance at cup silverware, when they began the first of a six-game losing streak of Scottish Cup Final appearances in 1974, losing 3–0 to Celtic. Towards the end of the 1970s, things began to change, with three successive appearances in the League Cup Final. United won their first major trophy with a 3–0 replay victory over Aberdeen in the 1979–80 Scottish League Cup Final.[64] The club reached both cup finals in the following season; while they retained the League Cup by winning 3–0 against rivals Dundee,[64] United lost out again in the Scottish Cup with a replay defeat to Rangers. United reached a third consecutive League Cup Final in 1981–82, but failed to make it a hat-trick of wins as they lost 2–1 to Rangers.[64]

United (in red) versus Kilmarnock at Tannadice in the 2013–14 Scottish Cup.

United suffered the agony of reaching three out of four Scottish Cup finals in the mid-1980s, only to lose them all by a single goal. First came a 2–1 defeat to Celtic in 1984–85, compounded by a 1–0 League Cup final loss to Rangers in the same season; then a 1–0 defeat in extra time to St Mirren in 1986–87; and finally, a last-minute 2–1 loss against Celtic the following year, despite being a goal ahead.[10] A three-year gap ensued before the 1990–91 Scottish Cup final, which pitted Jim McLean against his brother Tommy, at Motherwell. The final was won 4–3 by 'Well, with United again losing in extra time.[14] The sixth Cup Final loss was also the club's fifth final appearance in eleven years.

These defeats in cup finals at Hampden Park led to the Scottish football media claiming that United suffered from a Hampden hoodoo, as they had failed to win ten cup finals played at the ground between 1974 and 1991.[65] When the club reached the 1994 Scottish Cup Final, manager Ivan Golac dismissed talk of the hoodoo, even though opponents Rangers were strong favourites to complete a domestic treble in the 1993–94 season.[65] United broke the supposed hoodoo and won the Scottish Cup for the first time when Craig Brewster's goal gave them a 1–0 win.[14][65]

Eleven years passed until the next Scottish Cup final appearance, when United lost 1–0 to Celtic in 2005. Sandwiched in the middle of these appearances was a defeat on penalties to Stenhousemuir in the Scottish Challenge Cup (when United failed to concede a goal in the whole competition) and a 3–0 defeat to Celtic in the 1997 Scottish League Cup Final. United then lost the 2008 Scottish League Cup Final on penalties to Rangers after the match had finished 2–2 after extra time. Dundee United won their next major trophy in 2010, under the guidance of manager Peter Houston, when First Division side Ross County were defeated 3–0 in the 2010 Scottish Cup Final.[66] David Goodwillie scored the first goal and Craig Conway scored the second and third goals in front of 28,000 Dundee United fans at Hampden Park.[66]

United's 10th appearance in the Scottish Cup final came in 2014, but the team lost 2–0 to St Johnstone at Celtic Park. The Tangerines reached the League Cup final the following year, but lost to Celtic in the final.

Two years later, after the club's relegation from the Scottish Premiership, they faced St Mirren in the 2017 Scottish Challenge Cup Final. United won the game 2–1, marking the club's first silverware since 2010.

Europe

[edit]
Main article: Dundee United F.C. in European football

The club's first experience of Europe came in 1966–67 season when, helped by a clutch of Scandinavian players, United defeated Inter-Cities Fairs Cup holders FC Barcelona both home and away. Although Juventus proved too strong in the next round with a 3–1 aggregate victory, United made headlines and were asked to compete as Dallas Tornado in the United Soccer Association league in North America during the summer of 1967.[8]

In 1981–82 they began a period in which they were competitive in European competition. In a six-year spell they reached one UEFA final, another semi-final and two quarter finals. After their only Premier Division win in 1983, the team reached the resulting semi-final of the European Cup in 1984, losing 3–2 on aggregate to Roma. In 1987, the club went one better, reaching the final of the UEFA Cup beating FC Barcelona in both the home and away fixtures en route to the final. Despite the 2–1 aggregate loss to IFK Gothenburg in the final, the club won the first-ever FIFA Fair Play Award for their supporters' sporting behaviour after the final defeat.[13] They were also awarded the BBC Scotland Sportscene Team of the Year for that seasons exploits in Europe.[67]

Dundee United are famous for having a 100% record against FC Barcelona in European fixtures (4 wins out of 4 matches), and remain the only British team to have achieved this feat.[68]

The team entered the 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League at the third qualifying round, culminating in a 7–1 aggregate loss to AZ Alkmaar, the 7–0 second leg defeat matching the record greatest loss inflicted on a Scottish club in European competition.[69]

Honours

[edit]

League

[edit]

Cups

[edit]

Europe

[edit]

Other

[edit]

Youths

[edit]

Managers

[edit]
Main article: List of Dundee United F.C. managers

The first manager of Dundee Hibernian in 1909 was Pat Reilly. The club's longest serving and most successful manager, Jim McLean, held the position from 1971 to 1993, winning three major honours – the Scottish Premier Division title in 1982–83 and the Scottish League Cup twice in 1979 and 1980. Two Dundee United managers have won the Scottish Cup – Ivan Golac in 1994 and Peter Houston in 2010.

Noted players

[edit]
For a full list of current and former players with articles, see Category:Dundee United F.C. players. For a list of players who have played 100 or more matches in major competitions for the club, see list of Dundee United F.C. players.

International players

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This is a list of former and current players who have played at full international level while with the club. They are ordered by nationality and year of United debut below. Additionally, two goalkeepers – Pat Onstad (Canada) and Kémoko Camara (Guinea) – were both capped while at Tannadice yet never played a first-team game for United.

Hall of Fame

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The club launched its official Hall of Fame in 2008, with seven inaugural members. A further six players were inducted in January 2009[74] and seven more in January 2010. Since then six players have been inducted each year.

References

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