Shed Talk 06 | Kilmarnock by dundeeunitedfc

Shed Talk CONTENTS

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

JIM GOODWIN

Tuesday’s win against Aberdeen was very pleasing. We’re delighted with the result, but the manner in which we played is even more encouraging. There were strong individual performances across the team, but most importantly, it was a really good team effort.

The front three – Dolcek, Fatah, and Sapsford – were outstanding off the ball. The substitutes also made a valuable contribution, and the timing of the goals helped get the home crowd fully behind us.

Dolcek’s first goal was a terrific strike on his weaker foot. He has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, and his goal contributions and assists are among the best in the league. Special mention to Kucherenko, whose composure and distribution from the back were excellent under pressure. Looking ahead to our next home games against Kilmarnock and Livingston,

it’s important we build on the momentum from Tuesday. Playing at Tannadice in front of our supporters is always special, and we want to use the energy of the crowd to our advantage.

The team showed great commitment and energy on Tuesday, and we aim to carry that intensity into the next matches, continuing to deliver strong performances and build positive momentum.he results will follow.

Enjoy the game!

HAMISH REID

AGE: 8

FAVOURITE PLAYER:

YEVHENII KUCHERENKO

MAX IRVINE

AGE: 8

FAVOURITE PLAYER: PAN CAMARA

LANA BRASH

AGE: 9

FAVOURITE PLAYER: ZAC SAPSFORD

MYLO CHALMERS

AGE: 7

FAVOURITE PLAYER: ZAC SAPSFORD

OSCAR FITZPATRICK

AGE: 7

FAVOURITE PLAYER: IVAN DOLCEK

JACK RICE

AGE: 8

FAVOURITE PLAYER: ZAC SAPSFORD

LUCAS LOWDEN

AGE: 9

FAVOURITE PLAYER: YEVHENII KUCHERENKO

THEO FITZPATRICK

AGE: 4

FAVOURITE PLAYER: BERT ESSELINK

BERT ESSELINK

Tuesday’s win against Aberdeen was a terrific performance and a very important three points for us. We started well and followed our game plan, which paid off. Finishing the first half with a lead and managing the second half effectively showed the team’s stability, and the clean sheet was also very important.

The lads at the back showed bravery, playing through the lines under pressure from Aberdeen’s forwards. That’s how we train, that’s what we stand for, and we have to keep doing it while reducing mistakes as much as possible. The timing of both goals – just before and just after half-time – was perfect, giving us control and the opportunity to push for a third. Scoring my first goal at Tannadice was a special moment, and the brilliant assist from Vicko made it all the more memorable.

The atmosphere from the fans made the experience even better. There’s a great connection between the supporters and the team, and it felt fantastic to be back at home after several weeks. We feel their energy on the pitch, and it’s clear that togetherness between the squad and supporters is really strong.

Looking ahead to our next home games against Kilmarnock and Livingston, it’s vital the fans come out and get behind the team. Their support feels like a 12th player, and with it, we can build momentum and continue the positive run. We spoke before the Aberdeen game about using the result as a springboard, and now it’s about keeping that intensity and focus in the upcoming fixtures.

MND Scotland LEARN

Bringing together people affected by MND and researchers

Thanks to Dundee United FC, MND Scotland will be in the Hegarty Suite on Saturday 04 October to host the Lived Experience and Researcher Network (LEARN) event.You can find out more here https://mndscotland.org.uk/events /learn-dundee/

Wednesday 22 October ‘25 www.mndscotland.org.uk

Motor neuron disease (MND) is a rapidly progressing terminal neurological illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. People living with MND in Scotland

MND Scotland is the only charity in Scotland funding essential MND research and directly supporting people affected by MND. For more information about MND Scotland and the LEARN events you can scan the QR code or visit:

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Welcome to

KILMARNOCK

Kilmarnock make the long trek north hoping to end a miserable run of form which has seen them win only once in their previous seven outings. That success, however, came against ourselves when we were ousted from the League Cup in Ayrshire last month.

Killie’s start to the Premiership saw four successive draws, followed by a controversial stoppage-time loss to Celtic last time out.

Defeated by St Mirren on penalties in the League Cup quarter-final last weekend, our guests arrive at Tannadice looking to extend their seven-match unbeaten run against United.

Appointed in the summer following Derek McInnes’ departure, the 41-yearold Glaswegian penned a two-year deal and brings a wealth of managerial experience to the club.

Having been appointed Ross County’s Under-20 squad manager upon retiring from playing, he led his young charges to the Development League title in his first season. Two years later he was appointed joint manager of the first team before eventually taking charge in his own right. During that time he led County to the 2018/19 Championship title, pipping United by six points.

Two years at Motherwell followed his departure from the Highlands, with

his only full campaign seeing a ninth-place finish. At the time of his Fir Park departure in January 2025, ‘Well were sat in the top six and had reached the League Cup semi-final.

A leader on the park who captained each club he played for, the former midfielder represented Queen’s Park almost two hundred times before turning out for Clyde and then Ross County. Whilst at The Staggies, he was an unused substitute in the 2010 Scottish Cup Final defeat to United.

SUMMER OVERHAUL

MAX STRYJEK from Warsaw signed for an undisclosed fee from Jagiellonia Białystok and has established himself as first choice between the sticks. The 29-yearold previously spent two seasons with Livingston at the start of the decade.

EDDIE BEACH signed a two-year deal following his release from Chelsea. The 6’5” stopper has been capped at U21 level by Wales and kept clean sheets in both his League Cup appearances in July.

DOMINIC THOMPSON made 15 appearances on loan at Motherwell last term following his January release from Blackpool. The 25-year-old left-back is a product of the Arsenal youth academy.

GEORGE STANGER was a regular starter for Ayr United over the last two seasons and made the short trip up the road after his contract expired. The defender has been capped at U23 level by New Zealand.

JACK THOMSON signed a pre-contract back in January whilst at Queen’s Park. The 25-year-old midfielder penned a twoyear deal but has featured just once this season.

SCOTT TIFFONEY is another who signed a two-year deal. The 27-year-old former Partick Thistle and Dundee winger has yet to feature in a league game since his summer arrival.

GREG KILTIE became the youngest player to represent Killie for fifty years when he made his debut as a 16-yearold in 2013. After 134 appearances, the youth international moved to St Mirren before returning to Rugby Park in the summer after four years away.

DJENAIRO DANIELS spent time in the youth setups at both PSV and Utrecht and was capped at U18 level. The 23-year-old has plied his trade in Dutch, Canadian, Portuguese, Icelandic and Irish football.

TOM LOWERY came through the Crewe Alexandra youth setup and went on to feature 175 times for The Railwaymen before departing for Portsmouth. A composed and creative midfielder, the 27-year-old has penned a two-year deal at Rugby Park.

JAMIE BRANDON captained

Livingston last season and was Kettlewell’s first summer signing. The versatile 27-year-old defender/midfielder came through Hearts’ academy to represent The Jambos thirty-five times.

MARCUS DAKKERS proved a handful in last month’s League Cup encounter. The 6’7” Welsh striker opened the scoring in that match as he notched his second goal in Killie colours. A former Manchester City and Brighton youth, he spent last season at Morecambe, scoring once in 39 appearances.

ONE TO

WATCH

BEN BRANNAN

After spending the tail end of last season on loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, the 18-year-old’s breakthrough campaign at Killie this time out has been the stuff of dreams.

After signing a three-year extension in August, the Scottish Youth Cupwinning academy graduate has hit the net four times in just nine appearances already this term.

Comfortable at full-back, wing-back and in central midfield, the Under-17 internationalist scored a contender for Goal of the Season with his stunning 25-yard right-foot volley at Easter Road last month.

Kevin Mc GOWNE

There is little doubt that Kevin McGowne will be more readily recalled by Kilmarnock fans than by Arabs.

Whereas the central defender amassed 171 appearances during his six seasons at Rugby Park, “Big Kev,” as he was nicknamed, appeared in less than a tenth of that total over his six months at Tannadice.

Despite being born in Kilmarnock on 16th December 1969, he was signed by St Mirren from local Junior club Hurlford United in 1989. He then switched to St Johnstone in 1992, spending four seasons there before being brought to his hometown club by Killie boss Alex Totten.

Signed at the start of season 1996/97, he made his debut against Dunfermline at home on the first weekend in September. A tall, commanding central defender, he proved an excellent acquisition, forming a strong partnership with Ray Montgomerie at the heart of the defence, and went on to play in the Scottish Cup-winning side that season.

He also chipped in with the odd goal — notably in the 1-1 draw against Željezničar in Sarajevo during the 1998/99 UEFA Cup. In total, he found the net ten times, with his final appearance for Killie coming against Hibernian in April 2002.

Both former United managers

Billy Kirkwood and Paul Sturrock had previously tried to sign Kevin, but it was Alex Smith who finally brought the now highly experienced defender to Tannadice, hoping he could help nurture the club’s talented young centre-backs.

His debut came in a goalless draw at Partick Thistle in the opening league match, in which he renewed his former Rugby Park defensive partnership with Jim Lauchlan, but it didn’t work out as hoped.

He was a regular in the side for the first three months, but with only two clean sheets in his first 12 appearances, he was recalled just before Christmas. A 3-0 home defeat led to him being transfer listed along with Arnar Gunnlaugsson and Tassos Venetis.

In 2003, he spent a short spell with Partick Thistle before rejoining St Mirren, helping the Buddies return to the Scottish Premier League by earning promotion in season 2005–06 and winning the 2005 Scottish Challenge Cup Final against Hamilton Academical.

His second spell at Love Street ended in July 2007 after helping the club maintain their SPL status.

He went on to join Montrose as assistant to Jim Weir for the 2007–08 season, later rejoining Weir at Arbroath in November 2009, before moving to Brechin City in May 2010.

First-Team SQUAD

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The first known first team issue away to Kilmarnock from exactly 78 years ago today.

Having said that, Kilmarnock did issue prewar – for a decade from the late twenties – but because they are so rare, very few are in collectors’ hands. Indeed, it is only because the National Library in London has them that their existence has been confirmed. Presumably, therefore, some may be against United as the clubs crossed paths on a few occasions during that era.

However, what is certain is that the programme above is the first post-WW2 edition. It is the same size as United’s programme in the sixties and is very similar to Tannadice issues of season 1946-47, which, like Killie’s, consisted of eight pages. Of that, effectively half consisted of adverts, but there were three full pages of editorial,

which included a player feature that was quite substantial.

Priced 3d (equating to around 50p today), it was good value and one of the better programmes of that era. Unfortunately, the result didn’t go United’s way, but as The Sunday Post headline indicated, there were mitigating factors.

DOUBLE TAKE

Unless you look carefully, you would be forgiven for thinking that this second scan was a misprint, as it was dated a week earlier than the top illustration. However, it was for the date stated and numbered No. 3, whereas the top team programme was No. 4, yet both were against Dundee United!

So how did this come about? Well, the answer is that this was a Scottish League ‘C’ Division encounter involving United Reserves!

There were a few differences in the content from the first team issue, with

slightly less editorial copy and more advertising, and it made effectively no mention of United other than in the team line-ups and noting that the next match would be the meeting of the two clubs at first team level.

One aspect was the same, because like the first team the following week, the reserves game also ended in a 5-2 win for the hosts, as The Sunday Post below reveals.

YOUTH PATHWAYS EXTENDED

Dundee United are pleased to confirm we have entered a Cooperation Agreement with William Hill Championship outfit Airdrieonians.

Following reccommendations by the SFA’s Transition Report, SPFL clubs voted in favour of introducing the new system for the 2025/26 campaign to enhance youth development.

The initiative sees players in the key ‘transition phase’ (16-21 years old) given the freedom to move between a lowerleague club and their parent club continously throughout the season, affording more opportunities for firstteam action.

Premiership clubs can enter agreements with one club per tier across the pyramid.

Our Under-19s will continue to compete in the Club Academy Scotland top-flight, whilst Dundee United B also remain in the KDM Evolution Trophy.

CREATING THE BEST PATHWAY FOR OUR YOUNG PLAYERS

Upon the announcement, Chief Executive, Luigi Capuano said: “We’re delighted both with the introduction of this forward-thinking system and to enter into this partnership with Airdrieonians.

“Creating the best pathway for our young players is of paramount importance, and this agreement represents a terrific opportunity for them to gain regular firstteam action.

“Throughout pre-season, a number of our most exciting talents enjoyed

training alongside senior players, and many also travelled with the squad around Europe as we embarked on our UEFA Conference League journey.

“Having been enriched by this, they will now have the chance to attain valuable experience in the Scottish Championship within a competitive environment conducive to youth development.

“Airdireonians, synonymous with trusting the talents of the next generation of Scottish stars in recent years, share our commitment to youth development. Furthermore, they possess first-class facilities and coaching staff.

“It’s clear our values align and we hope this will be a fruitful, mutually beneficial collaboration between the clubs.”

THE NATURAL NEXT STEP OF PROGRESSION

Academy Director, Scott Allison, added: “We had extensive conversations throughout the summer with numerous clubs at various levels of the pyramid, some of which are continuing, due to the quality of the talent on offer at Dundee United.

“We felt it was imperative that the first one in place was with a side in the Championship. Ultimately, we’re preparing these players for the challenges of top-flight football, therefore giving them the opportunity to play just one level below the desired standard is the best challenge for them.

“A number of our Academy graduates had incredibly successful stints on loan with clubs in the third tier, and the next natural step of their progression towards being regular members of our first-team is playing regularly in the Championship.”

He concluded: “I have no doubts this will benefit the terrific crop of young players we currently have at the club in the short, medium and long term and we anticipate announcing further agreements in due course.”

27 SEPTEMBER

1919 – Dundee Hibs 1-1 Dundee ‘A’ | Eastern League

After being restricted to friendlies the previous season, around 10,000 supporters turned out to witness this keenly contested derby — even though the visitors fielded their reserve side. The Dark Blues went ahead on the half hour through Colin Buchan, but George Wilkie levelled just before the interval.

1924 – Bathgate 2-2 Dundee Hibs | Second Division

Brownlie’s side were slightly fortunate to take a point from an exciting clash at Mill Park. Andy Cant gave Hibs an early lead, scoring via the post inside four minutes,

half-time following a surging solo run by Tommy Simpson.

Bathgate hit back immediately after the restart through Duffy, and with the home side pressing, they earned a deserved equaliser at the death through Hernon — with United a man short as Oswald received treatment.

1952 – Dundee United 5-2 Stenhousemuir | Division Two

Ex-Motherwell forward Jackie Hunter netted two of his 12 goals for the Club in a whirlwind contest memorably headlined ‘Tannadice Howl Starts Hurricane’ by the Sunday Post.

Tommy Martin opened the scoring on 33 minutes before Dave Campbell equalised just before half-time. After the break, Ernie Collumbine put the visitors ahead, only for United to launch a ferocious comeback. Wilson Humphries levelled on 65 minutes, Alan Scott fired United ahead moments later, and Hunter struck

twice more to complete a quickfire five-goal display.

1969 – Dundee United 1-0 St Johnstone | Division One

A large travelling support helped boost the crowd to 11,847, but it was United who claimed the points. Davie Hogg caused problems down the right, and from one of his dangerous crosses, Alan Gordon fired home after 22 minutes — despite offside appeals from the Saints’ defence.

St Johnstone started the second half strongly, but United always looked a threat through Hogg and man of the match

Alex Reid. A spate of late bookings reflected the growing tension, yet United stood firm to secure victory.

1978 – Dundee United

0-0 Standard Liège | UEFA Cup (1st Round, 2nd Leg)

Chasing a single-goal deficit from the first leg in Belgium, United endured a night of frustration.

Frank Kopel saw a 25thminute lob ruled out for a soft foul on the keeper, and moments later Dave Narey struck the bar after appeals for a handball

were waved away.

Standard packed the midfield to stifle United, with McAlpine pulling off a fine save from Graf’s 40yard drive late on. George Fleming came closest to forcing extra-time, but fired wide from close range — and the Belgians advanced thanks to their first-leg strike in Ghent.

1989 – Dundee United

2-0 Glentoran | UEFA Cup (1st Round, 2nd Leg)

(United won 5-1 on aggregate)

United completed a comfortable victory over a well-organised Glentoran side. After early pressure, Jim McInally’s cross found John Clark, who headed home at the far post to break the deadlock. Three minutes into the second half, Freddy Van Der Hoorn’s low drive was parried, allowing Kevin Gallacher to round the keeper and slot home the second — sealing progression to the next round.

2008 – Dundee United 3-0 Hearts | SPL

A superb display secured United’s first home league win of the campaign. Craig Conway’s brilliant free kick opened the scoring before Jon Daly and Scott Robertson added second-half goals to wrap up a convincing victory. To compound Hearts’ misery, Eggert Jónsson was sent off for two bookings.

2014 – Dundee United 2-0 St Johnstone | Premiership

United capped a brilliant week — three wins in six days — to move top of the table.

The opener came from a devastating counterattack: Radosław Cierzniak collected a corner and launched a long throw towards Nadir Çiftçi, who dummied the ball, turned his man, and slipped Chris Erskine through to finish calmly.

The second came in similar fashion — Çiftçi combining with Erskine before releasing Keith Watson, whose cutback found Paul Paton. His firsttime strike crashed in off the post to seal victory and avenge the Scottish Cup Final defeat four months earlier.

MENS FIRST TEAM

FIXTURES AND RESULTS

Ševelj Strain Taponovski

Sibbald Camarà

Sibbald Camarà DOL

Sibbald Camarà Ševelj

MANAGER: JIM GOODWIN

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Ross Hardie

AR1: David McGeachie

AR2: David Dunne

4th Official: Sean Murdoch

VAR: Nick Walsh

AVAR: David Roome

KILMARNOCK

MANAGER: STUART KETTLEWELL

ROBBIE DEAS

RORY MCKENZIE

BRAD LYONS

MARCUS DACKERS

MATTY KENNEDY

GREG KILTIE

DAVID WATSON

GREGOR STRANGER

KYLE MAGENNIS

SCOTT TIFFONEY

TOM LOWRY

BRUCE ANDERSON

ROBBY MCCRORIE

JACK THOMSON

MARLEY WATKINS

ETHAN BROWN

BEN BRANNAN

KIAN LESLIE

ZANDER CRAIK

DJENAIRO DANIELS

EDDIE BEACH

LIAM POLWORTH

RUARI ELLIS

DUNCAN BARLOSW

ETHAN MERSEY

AARON DAVIS

NOEL SIMPSON

COLE BURKE

ARCHIE TRAYNOR

EUAN BOWIE

COREY ARMOUR

GRANT MERCHANT

SAMUEL DURUH

DYLAN BROWN