DUNDEE UNITED vs Ross County Saturday 9 November 2024 William Hill Premiership AT TANNADICE PARK
CalForth Construction Arena
CLUB HONOURS
Scottish Premier Division Champions 1983
Scottish Cup Winners 1994 and 2010
Scottish League Cup Winners 1979-80 and 1980-81
UEFA Cup Runners-up: 1986–87
DIRECTORY
Dundee United Football Club, The CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park, Dundee, DD3 7JW 01382833166
Option 1 - Ticketing
Option 2 - Commercial
Option 3 - Retail
ADDRESS BOOK
Chairman
MARK OGREN Vice-Chairman
SCOTT OGREN
Director
JIMMY FYFFE
Chief Executive
LUIGI CAPUANO
Chief Operations Officer
JOE RICE
Finance Director
JAMES ROBERTSON
Manager
JIM GOODWIN
Assistant Manager
LEE SHARP
First-Team Coach
DAVID BOWMAN
Head of Goalkeeping
PAUL MATHERS
Head of Football Operations
ROSS STARKE
Head of Player Care
NIALL NICHOLSON
Head of Medical
MARCIN SZOSTAK First Team Analyst
AIDAN CROLL
First Team Sports Scientist
EWAN ANDERSON
Strength and Conditioning Coach
ALLAN GARTSHORE Club Doctors
DR DAVID NICOLL
DR STEPHEN GALBRAITH Kit Manager
ANDREW BRYAN
Head of Commercial
MARK CUNNINGHAM
Ticket Office Manager
MOIRA HUGHES
Head of Retail
STUART BOOTLAND
Commercial Sales Manager
DECLAN PRIDDING
Catering & Bar Operations
Manager
JOHN RICHARDSON
Head of Stadium and Facility Operations
JONATHAN ROBERTS
Head of Media
MARK MCCREERY
Head of Marketing
LUKE BAIN
Content Producer
YANNIS MARR
Club Photographer
RICHARD WISEMAN
SHED TALK
Design and Editors:
LUKE BAIN AND PETER RUNDO
Contributors
MIKE WATSON
RYAN HALDANE
LEE SMITH
THE GAFFER
Good evening everyone and welcome back to Tannadice!
We’ve performed well, our points return in the opening 11 league games has been very positive.
In the last couple of weeks, we’ve taken four points off Hibs, we had a win at Tynecastle a few weeks back, I think it’s the first time in 10 or 11 years since Dundee United have managed that. Then we were narrowly beaten at Pittodrie and by Rangers. I think the players can be very pleased with what they’ve done, but I do still believe that there’s a lot more to come from us as a group.
We know this afternoon will be tough, Ross County have pretty much slipped under the radar up until now, but I think Don Cowie has done a terrific job.
They’ve got some good players at the top end of the pitch that can cause us problems, we know that. But the expectation is there for us being the home team in front of a demanding home support to go and take the game to them.
It would be great to finish off this round of fixtures going into the international break still in fourth position.
I don’t know whether we’ve surprised a lot of
teams. When people think about Dundee United and they see the badge, I think they expect a club of this size to be up there competing.
Our supporters have been different class all season - we’re getting so many through the gates at Tannadice and even on the road they travel in their huge numbers.
We’re excited to see you all at Tannadice this afternoon and hope you enjoy the game!
- Jim Goodwin
Dundee United are delighted to announce Manager, Jim Goodwin, has put pen to paper on a new contract with the club, that will see him remain in the Tannadice hot seat until at least the summer of 2026.
After taking the reigns of the Terrors on a permanent basis at the end of the 2022/23 campaign, the Irishman oversaw our immediate return to the top table of Scottish football during his first full season in post.
Welcoming ten new recruits to the club in the summer, Goodwin steered a newlook United side to the Championship title at the first time of asking, with a final tally of 75 points the best of any secondtier outfit in almost a decade.
Our charge to glory saw us rack up a club-record of 12 victories on the road, concede the fewest number of goals in the SPFL pyramid and attract crowds of over 10,000 to the Calforth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park on numerous occasions.
The 42-year-old also put his trust in various homegrown talents to bring the trophy home - players aged under 21 spent over 5,100 minutes representing United throughout last term.
Tasked with another rebuild during the subsequent transfer window, Goodwin aided in the capture of 13 exciting new additions from various corners of the
globe, including three full internationalsRichard Odada, David Babunski and Jort van der Sande.
An upward trajectory continued on our eagerly-anticipated return to the William Hill Premiership, with our best start to a top-flight campaign in ten years seeing Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, St Johnstone and St Mirren fall at the hands of the men in tangerine. After 11 matches, his side currently occupy fourth spot in the table.
Despite the influx of new faces, Academy graduates have continued to contribute, as Ross Graham, Miller Thomson and Kai Fotheringham remain key figures in the first-team setup. Emerging stars such as Owen Stirton, Scott Constable and Alan Domeracki are also regular fixtures in matchday squads.
Goodwin is now the longest-serving United boss since Jackie McNamara, on track to surpass a century of matches in the dugout by the end of 2024/25.
S K S K
JIM GOODWIN
‘I FEEL AT HOME HERE’
The Tannadice boss commented: “I feel at home here, it was an easy decision to extend my deal - the club’s longterm vision aligns perfectly with my own ambitions as a Manager.
“Last year was an incredibly special one, and I’m immensely proud to have played a part in helping Dundee United reclaim their rightful place among the top clubs in Scotland.
“I also have to reiterate my gratitude to the supporters for welcoming me as one of their own from the minute I stepped foot through the door. That only strengthens my desire to bring more success to Tannadice for them to enjoy. “However, it is important for our focus always to remain on the future and making improvements across the board, on a daily, monthly and yearly basis.
“An exciting challenge lies ahead of me, both for the remainder of the season and beyond, and I am eager to embrace it with continued support from my backroom team and the board.”
AN EXCITING, YOUNG MANAGER WHO HAS EXCELLED SINCE HIS ARRIVAL
Chairman, Mark Ogren, added: “I’m very pleased to have secured Jim’s services for a further year. This represents a forward-thinking piece of business by the club, as we allow an exciting, young manager to build upon the strong foundations laid by himself, with assistance from his backroom team.
“Jim has excelled since his arrival, meeting all targets set by the board of directors so far, overseeing our crucial return to the Premiership and embracing the club’s overarching strategy.
TODAY’S MASCOTS
MAX IRVINE AGE: 7
FAVOURITE PLAYER: WILL FERRY
JACK WALLACE
AGE: 10
FAVOURITE PLAYER: KRISTIJAN TRAPANOVSKI
PATRICK DONNELLY
AGE: 10
FAVOURITE PLAYER: DAVID BABUNSKI
JACOB LYNCH
AGE: 10
FAVOURITE PLAYER: CRAIG SIBBALD
CHARLIE WOODCRAFT
AGE: 9
FAVOURITE PLAYER: CRAIG SIBBALD
LOGAN KELLY
AGE: 8
FAVOURITE PLAYER: CRAIG SIBBALD
RORY GIBSON
AGE: 5
FAVOURITE PLAYER: WILL FERRY
FOCUS ON ROSS COUNTY
Now in their sixth consecutive season in the topflight, Ross County continue to defy the odds and currently sit mid-table, being one of four sides who have accumulated twelve points.
Currently on a three-match unbeaten run, The Staggies have proven difficult to break down recently with back-to-back clean sheets against Hibernian and St Mirren.
Recent history in this particular fixture favours County who are unbeaten in the last three encounters, including August’s 1-1 draw in the Highlands.
Cowie began his professional journey with Ross County before moving to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Watford, Cardiff City, Wigan Athletic and Hearts.
Known for his versatility, he was a steady presence in midfield and played as both a central and wide midfielder throughout his career. He also earned several caps for Scotland’s national team, reflecting his high level of performance.
The 41-year-old Invernessian took over the top job at Victoria Park on a full-time basis in July having spent five
months in the role of interim manager.This is the former Scotland international midfielder’s debut managerial role and his first major achievement was to ensure County’s topflight status last term by guiding them to a playoff demolition of hapless Raith Rovers.
Cowie’s long connection with Ross County, both as a player and coach, has made him a fans favourite.
THE GAFFER DON COWIE
ONE TO WATCH RONAN HALE
With seven goals from fifteen matches so far, the 26-year-old Irishman has been one of the Premiership’s shrewdest signings of the summer.
The striker began his career with Crusaders and earned a move to Birmingham City where he was a prolific scorer at under-21 level. A loan move to Derry City saw him score twelve times, however he was released by The Blues and returned to Ireland, going on to represent Crusaders (again), St Patrick’s, Larne and Cliftonville.
The former under-21 internationalist signed a threeyear deal at Victoria Park in July and immediately announced himself with three goals in his two League Cup matches before scoring a stoppage time equaliser against us when we travelled north in August.
NOAH CHILVERS signed a three-year deal in the summer, bringing an end to his fourteen years at Colchester United. A naturally talented footballer, his work-rate and flair have already made him a fans’ favourite in Dingwall as have outstanding performances like the one against Kilmarnock last month.
AKIL WRIGHT featured 35 times last term as Stockport County lifted the English League Two title. The 28-year-old defender is a Sheffield United youth product who has spent most of his career playing non-league football. His pace and willingness to get forward give County a great outlet on the right.
CHARLIE TELFER an ex United man, made 71 appearances during his three seasons at Tannadice, scoring six times. The 29-year-old was sent off during the defeat to St Johnstone last month and hasn’t featured since.
RICKI LAMIE joined following his release by Dundee but has been unable to force his way into the side so far.
WILL NIGHTINGALE
also spent last season in Dingwall on a loan basis from AFC Wimbledon. The 29-yearold Englishman, who has made 32 appearances for the club, won’t feature today due to injury.
KACPER LOPATA arrived on a 12-month loan from Barnsley. The 23-yearold Polish-born central defender was raised in England but featured at youth level for his country of birth and lists Brighton and Sheffield United amongst his former clubs.
ELIJAH CAMPBELL joined on loan from Everton.
JACK GRIEVES was released by Watford as a 14-yearold but returned to Vicarage Road after a trial just a year later and has gone on to feature at first team level.
By Ryan Haldane
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JAMIE MCCUNNIE
Considering that Ross County are only celebrating three decades as a member of the Scottish League, a remarkable number of players qualify for inclusion in this feature – 60 to date!
Under the spotlight today is a player who graduated through the Tannadice youth ranks, gaining recognition at schools, youth, and U21 level for Scotland and winning a Scotland ‘B’ cap. Jamie McCunnie signed for the club aged 16 in June 1999 and was a first-team squad member for three years after Alex Smith handed the defender his debut at Easter Road in December 2000.
Although only 17 years old, the fullback impressed sufficiently to become a regular in the side for the rest of a campaign in which United battled successfully to retain top-tier status and reach the semi-final of the Scottish Cup. Jamie’s successful season culminated in him signing a new three-year contract while also making his debut for Scotland’s under-21 side against Poland.
However, despite featuring regularly over the next two seasons and becoming captain of the Scotland under-21s, he then lost his place in the side. Ian McCall succeeded Alex Smith as manager at the end of January 2003, and following his arrival, Jamie only featured three times under his new boss and found himself surplus to requirements.
So after 75 first-team appearances, and having only just turned 20 in June 2003, the Glaswegian found himself offloaded to First Division Ross County, where he was reunited with his former mentor Alex Smith, who was now manager. The Dingwall club were saved from relegation from Division One on the final day of the previous season, but Smith insisted McCunnie’s step down from the SPL was not a backward move.
Along with David Winters and Stephen O’Donnell, Jamie was part of the deal that took keeper Tony Bullock on the
reverse route from the Highland outfit to Tannadice. He spent two seasons with the Dingwall club, during which time he was converted from right-back to a defensive midfield role.
His Ross County contract was due to expire in 2005, and he was keen to seek a return to a higher level of football, with a move to English football a distinct possibility. He was widely expected to join Cardiff City following a successful trial, but the move ultimately fell through, and a trial with Gillingham also proved unproductive.
Instead, Jamie secured himself a return to the top flight of Scottish football, signing for Dunfermline Athletic in August 2005. Despite an injury absence early in his Pars career, he soon established himself as a regular first-teamer.
After featuring in the 2007 Scottish Cup Final defeat to Celtic, and preferring a move to a contract extension at East End Park, he joined Hartlepool United in June 2007 on a free transfer, spending two seasons with the League One outfit.
He joined East Fife for the 2009–10 season but was released afterward. Moving to Iceland, he played for Haukar, Grindavík, and Íþróttafélag Reykjavíkur. In March 2012, he returned to Scotland with Stirling Albion, his last senior club. He later signed with junior club Broughty Athletic, becoming caretaker manager in August 2017 and first-team manager in February 2018. During 2019–20, he managed Abertay University’s Men’s 1st team.
However, his footballing career then took an unusual twist. At the start of the 2020 coronavirus lockdown, Jamie qualified as a referee. Initially refereeing at grassroots level, he began officiating Highland League games from the start of the 2022–23 season and has recently officiated some Dundee United Women’s matches as he makes his way through the grades.
HIBERNIAN 1
DUNDEE UNITED 1
3PM SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2024 | EASTER ROAD STADIUM | WILLIAM HILL PREMIERSHIP ATTENDANCE: 15,454
A LACK OF CHANCES
United had the better of the limited opportunities in the opening exchanges but it’s fair to say it was a timid affair.
Slack play in the centre of the park from Nectarios Triantis led to our first sighting as David Babunski pounced on the loose ball. Sliding it forward to Sam Dalby, our number 19 struck goalwards but his left-footed effort was tame and comfortable for Josef Bursik.
Glenn Middleton then went close with a fierce effort from range that flew just past the left-hand post.
HIBS HIT FIRST
The half’s best chance fell to Lewis Miller after some trickery on the wing from Jordan Obita allowed him to jink inside the
box. His cut-back looked inch-perfect for the Hibs’ full-back but the effort came off his heel and the danger was cleared.
The Australian made amends two minutes later as he headed Hibs in front after peeling away at the back post and nodding Obita’s cross beyond Jack Walton.
A SWITCH IN SYSTEM
We made two changes at the break in search of more impetus in the final third.
OFF: Gallagher and Strain ON: Odada and Trapanovski
Our best chance of the match so far then fell to David Babunski who really should have levelled proceedings. It was a move simple in creation as Middleton slid in Luca Stephenson towards the
by-line and he cut the ball back for our number 10 inside the area. Running on to it, Babunski could only guide his left-footed effort wide of the mark.
ANOTHER LATE FIGHTBACK
There was more late drama between the sides as United once again struck in injury time against the men in green and white.
A deep freekick into the penalty area resulted in a VAR intervention as Emmanuel Adegboyega was hauled to ground by Mykola Kukharevych who earned himself a second yellow card in the process.
Dalby was ice-cool from the spot, sending Bursik the wrong way in front of a buoyant gravelling support of over 1,500 Arabs!
MILLER 28’
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DUNDEE UNITED 1
DALBY 36’W
MOTHERWELL 2
MASWANHISE 23’ 74’
7.45PM WEDNESDAY 30 OCTOBER 2024 | TANNADICE PARK | WILLIAM HILL PREMIERSHIP ATTENDANCE: 8,415
IN THE BALANCE
A tightly contested opening left much to be desired in front of goal - neither ‘keeper being forced into any sort of action until Jack Walton got a hand to Steven Seddon’s free-kick as we approached a quarter of an hour.
AGAINST THE RUN OF PLAY
After a long VAR check, the visitors were awarded the lead on 23 minutes.
It again came too easy as Lennon Miller’s deep freekick was nodded back across goal by Dan Casey and bundled home at the back post by Tawanda Maswanhise.
NOT BACKING DOWN
Our leveller came as Sam Dalby scored for the
second match running on home soil.
Patience paid off in the end as Trapanovski did extremely well to keep the ball in play initially before it was recycled to him by way of Kevin Holt and Babunski. A telling left-footed delivery was then expertly met in the air by our number 19, who glanced the ball beyond Oxborough and into the top corner!
SWITCHING THE SHAPE
After a stale start to second-half proceedings, we made a double switch as Ryan Strain and Jort van der Sande replaced Middleton and Trapanovski.
Loud appeals for a United penalty were waved away as Vicko Ševelj looked to be impeded inside the area - but it was waved away after a quick check.
Good link-up between van der Sande and Dalby then almost led to a chance as the latter decided against pulling the trigger before Luca Stephenson’s tame effort was dealt with comfortably.
A MASWANHISE BRACE
After more slack defending, Motherwell’s number 55 put them back in front with a clever finish. Adegboyega was the man caught in possession allowing Maswanhise to race clear and clip the ball over Walton to retake the lead.
Our final threats were to no avail as the visitors took all three points.
Tickets for our trip to Ibrox are now on sale!
FIXTURE DETAILS
Rangers vs Dundee United 3pm Saturday 23 November 2024
Ibrox Stadium
William Hill Premiership
PRICING
Adult - £33
Concession (+65, 16/17-year-olds) - £26
U16 - £15
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Ambulant/ disabled supporters pay the age-appropriate price - PA is free of charge.
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Please note, there are no e-tickets for this match. All tickets must be posted or collected from the Dundee United Ticket Office.
We strongly recommend purchasing online as it is the quickest, easiest, and most efficient way to secure your seat.
Tickets are also available from the DUFC Ticket Office.
9 NOVEMBER
FLASHBACK FOCUS
1997
DUNDEE UTD 5-0
ABERDEEN | LEAGUE
In addition to the absence of so many experienced players, Maurice Malpas’ late call-off due to flu further complicated team selection.
Craig Brewster stepped in for the absent skipper in manager Ivan Golac’s only change from the side defeated at Pittodrie. And Craig was very much involved in the early stages just failing to connect properly with an
Andy McLaren cross and then turning on a Christian Dailly pass and shooting narrowly wide within the first three minutes.
Saints almost got their noses in front after only four minutes when former United midfielder Harry Curran sent in a curling 25-yarder which captain for the day Alan Main was at full stretch to tip over.
There were narrow escapes at both ends immediately on the resumption. A lightning run and cross by John Clark down the right found John O’Neil, but his clip from the near post frustratingly strayed past the far post. Instantly at the other end, Torfason smashed a 20-yarder off the base of the post.
Eight minutes later United took the lead when McLaren pushed the ball into Brewster’s path and, though the ball bubbled up, his shot from 20 yards sailed past Rhodes into the top right-hand corner.
Saints took a while to threaten, but when they
did it was a vengeance and left everyone in bewilderment that they did not score!
Curran crossed from the left which Davies headed for goal, but Main touched it onto the bar and Davies inexplicably hit the crossbar from the rebound from only a couple of yards out with the goal at his mercy. The ball was eventually scrambled away and Main even prevented a corner!
The visitors paid for their profligacy in front of goal five minutes later when Billy McKinlay dispossessed Gary McGinnis on the edge of the box and struck an angled drive past Rhodes to end the match as a contest.
1918
DUNDEE HIBS 2-2 ARMY PC, PERTH | FRIENDLY
The end of WW1 was just two days away, but this was a season during which the club only played friendly matches. Many of those were, as was the case on this date, against teams from regiments of the Armed Forces.
1929
DUNDEE UTD 3-2 PARTICK THISTLE | LEAGUE
If, as one report claimed, Partick Thistle possessed the superior players, newly promoted United’s tenacity saw them come from behind to win. Though George Ross opened the scoring, Thistle’s Ballantyne levelled, and a Torbet penalty saw Jimmy Brownlie’s side trailing. But Ross scored a second to equalise, and a spectacular George Henderson strike earned his side a fourth win of the campaign.
1957
DUNDEE UTD 5-2 FORFAR ATHLETIC | LEAGUE
‘For once Dundee were United,’ cited the Sunday Post, explaining, ‘In a wholehearted, no-quarter local derby, they won because of team play.’ Johnny Coyle opened the scoring after 14 minutes, with Dave Sturrock converting a contentious penalty award after 36 minutes. However, the Loons pulled one back through Peter Craig just before half-time. Another neat Coyle finish, six minutes into the second period, and a Wilson Humphries counter-strike midway through the half put United two up. Tommy Martin, however, immediately reduced the deficit, but Willie McDonald’s last-minute strike sealed a victory, the margin of which was harsh on the spirited Station Parkers.
1988
DINAMO BUCHAREST 1-1 DUNDEE UTD | CUP WINNERS’ CUP
Unfortunately, a draw wasn’t enough to progress to the quarter-finals, but we were unlucky not to at least take the tie into extra time. To give us the lead, Allan Preston’s free-kick was met by Dave Beaumont, who headed down into an empty net. However, our joy was short-lived as four minutes later, Dorin Mateu hammered home a 20yard strike.
2013
MOTHERWELL 0-4 DUNDEE UTD | LEAGUE (PREMIERSHIP)
United arrived at Motherwell on the back of a strong draw at Parkhead and produced a masterclass, with Ryan Gauld starring. He opened the scoring on 16 minutes, and three minutes later, Paul Paton headed in a second. Despite continued dominance, United had to wait until the 64th minute for Gauld’s second. Shortly after, to the acclaim of all Arabs, Ryan made way for Brian Graham. Andy Robertson sealed the win with a fourth, rifling home from the corner of the box.
