Shed Talk 09 | Dundee United v Falkirk 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

JIM GOODWIN

Good afternoon everyone, and welcome back to Tannadice!

The break came at a good time because going into the Hearts game, we were short on numbers with injuries. Some weren’t serious and those guys have recovered and are back amongst it, and we’ve got a far healthier group now for this weekend.

Both Ross and Max will be in the squad but fitness-wise, they’re not quite where we need them. We’ve arranged a friendly next week for them and others needing minutes. We’ll build them up with a view to getting them back in the starting eleven.

We understand how difficult the game will be. Falkirk are on a good run - they’ve won three of their last five and sit two points above us. They’re well-organised, welldrilled, and have a clear understanding of what John McGlynn wants.

We go in with a positive

mindset after a very good performance away to Hearts and in the knowledge that three points will take us above Falkirk.

Consistency is important. Falkirk’s form over five games shows what a short run of victories can do for the table. We need to win games. We’ve had too many draws so far - many of them from winning positions. There have been great learnings over the last 11 games. The group now knows what to expect from each opponent.

Saturday will be difficult, but a good home support at Tannadice will give us a lift. The players love playing at home. The pitch should be immaculate with little football on it lately. The onus is on us to take the game to Falkirk, excite the supporters early, get an early goal and something to build on.

Enjoy the game!

REID HIGGINS

FAVOURITE PLAYER: YEVHENII KUCHERENKO

RILEY ROBERTSON

FAVOURITE PLAYER: KRISTIJAN TRAPANOVSKI

AEDAN ESPLIN

AGE: 8

FAVOURITE PLAYER: WILL FERRY

IURIE IOVU

After a long break, we want to come back as fast as possible and give 100%. The game against Hearts was a good one against a tough opponent. We need to show character every week to learn from mistakes and to keep improving.

Our first game against Falkirk was tough away from home, but now, being back at Tannadice gives us an advantage. It doesn’t matter the opponent. If we play with aggression and passion, we can win and keep the three points at home.

I’m enjoying Scottish football. From the team’s perspective, a lot of players are new. We have built up a new group, and it’s nice to be a part of. Everyone is supportive.

The guys from last year have helped me settle in, like Vicko, for example. It’s nice when someone

helps you integrate into the group. The league is very competitive with a lot of difficult games. So you have to enjoy your football and the atmosphere and to give your maximum on the pitch.

Of course, we respect every team. But we still try to play our football and to show how we can play and to win every game. We can win every game if we play the way we know we’re capable of.

The team has a target for every quarter, but that will stay within the dressing room. But for myself, I’m always focusing on the next game.

It’s not good to let your focus drift past the next game. We give 100% to try to implement what we do in training. If you come away from every match saying you gave everything, then you can’t do much more than that.

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Welcome to FALKIRK

After lifting the Championship title last term, The Bairns’ first top-flight contest in fifteen years saw them host United on opening day of the season.

Exertions from our Conference League trip to Luxembourg were evident late in the game as Falkirk snatched a point in an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Indeed, Falkirk would only win one of their opening seven Premiership matches

before back-to-back wins over Motherwell and Dundee in October hoisted them up the table. A 4-0 humbling at Celtic was followed by victory over Kilmarnock and a draw with Livingston, leaving John McGlynn’s men occupying fifth place as they arrive at Tannadice this afternoon.

After a brief senior playing career at Berwick Rangers, McGlynn stepped down to junior level before signing for Whitehill Welfare. Whilst at the Rosewell-based club, he began coaching at youth level, eventually catching the eye of Hearts boss Jim Jefferies in 1996. Invited to assist with the Tynecastle youngsters, he made an immediate impact and, after lifting the Scottish Youth Cup in 2000, became a first-team coach.

Raith Rovers were the first club to offer him a managerial post in his own right, replacing Unitedbound Craig Levein at the Second Division club in 2006. Within three and a half years, McGlynn had led the Kirkcaldy club back to the First Division and to a Scottish Cup semifinal.

The summer of 2012 saw Hearts tempt him back to Gorgie but, despite reaching the League Cup final, he was sacked a

month before the Hampden showpiece as Hearts struggled in the league.

A year at Livingston followed before a lucrative scouting job at Celtic beckoned. Tempted back to Stark’s Park for a second spell in 2018, he spent four seasons at Raith before joining Falkirk.

His second season saw him lead The Bairns to the First Division title, remaining unbeaten throughout the league campaign, before securing back-to-back league wins by lifting the Championship last season.

BAIRNS RECRUITMENT

Veteran goalkeeper SCOTT BAIN celebrates his 34th birthday today. After coming through the youth set-up at Pittodrie, the 6’0” stopper went on to feature over 100 times for both Alloa and Dundee before signing for Celtic in 2018. After barely featuring over the past four seasons, the Edinburgh-born custodian penned a one-year deal at Falkirk.

BRIAN GRAHAM made his 500th league appearance last month at Parkhead. Now 37, he has been used sparingly since he left Partick Thistle in the summer after five and a half years at Firhill.

TREY OGUNSUYI arrived on loan for the season. Bradford-born but capped by Belgium at U18 and U19 level, the striker made his Black Cats debut back in January. The 18-year-old was a prolific scorer at youth level last term but has found starts hard to come by so far.

LEWIS NEILSON is now in his third loan spell away from Hearts since joining them from United back in 2022. The former U21 internationalist was handed his Tannadice debut by Micky Mellon and featured 19 times for United.

KYRELL WILSON scored the match-winner on his Falkirk debut against Aberdeen in August. The highly-rated 20-yearold midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan at National League side Yeovil Town, having signed an extension with Swans until 2027.

HENRY CARTWRIGHT made his senior league debut during our opening day clash. On loan for the season from Leicester City, the 20-year-old midfielder signed a new deal with The Foxes in the summer and notched his first senior goal in last month’s 1-1 draw with Rangers.

SAM HART featured 22 times last term as he helped Port Vale to promotion from League Two. The 29-year-old former Liverpool youth has travelled north on loan for the season and adds experience, having previously been on the books of Blackburn Rovers, Oldham and Sutton United.

FILIP LISSAH is looking to gain valuable match time during his one-year loan.

A former Chelsea youth, the versatile defender is comfortable on the ball and displays maturity beyond his years.

ONE TO WATCH

ETHAN WILLIAMS

The pacy wide man spent the tail end of last term on loan at Cheltenham Town, featuring 17 times and scoring twice.

Loaned out again this season by Manchester United, the 19-year-old is naturally two-footed but prefers to operate from the left.

After opening his account over Kilmarnock this month, the Mancunian will be eager to continue his fine form this afternoon.

PLAYED FOR

BOTH

JIM CAMERON

The last time United played on Christmas Day brought two points as their present courtesy of a 3-2 win following Dunfermline’s Tannadice visit. It was a notable result as far as it was Jim McLean’s first win since taking over as manager. But for Jim Cameron, it was to provide him with the only goal of a Tannadice career that spanned six seasons and encompassed over a double century of appearances.

Jim was signed from junior side Ashfield in October 1966, having turned down contract offers from Leicester City and Stirling Albion.

The defender was one of a trio of players from the Glasgow-based junior club signed by United manager Jerry Kerr, Ashfield teammates Wattie Smith and Gerry Hernon accompanying him, and soon all three were included in the party which crossed the Pond to represent Dallas Tornadoes in the 1967 American tournament.

Prior to joining Ashfield, Jim was with Campsie Black Watch as a 17-yearold, turning out in several positions. At first a wing half in old money and then in both inside-forward positions, but left-back was where he was to

appearances.

Initially a part-timer, the left-back performed well on reserve duty, leading to his first-team debut in April 1967, in a 2–2 home draw against Partick Thistle at Tannadice Park. Indeed, he also faced Thistle in the final game of the season.

The following month the Club travelled to the United States to represent the Dallas Tornado franchise in the new United Soccer Association (USA) league.

With regular left-back Jimmy Briggs left out due to a contract dispute, Jim was included in the squad and featured regularly on the tour, playing in ten of the twelve USA matches.

His chance in the first team came following an injury to Jimmy Briggs in February 1968. From that point on, Jim rarely missed a game over the next five years, which included European ties with Newcastle United, Grasshoppers and Sparta Prague.

In December 1971, Jim McLean replaced Kerr as manager and his first signing was

the left-back spot. By the beginning of the 1972–73 season, the new man was soon recognised as first choice.

He made 208 competitive appearances for the team, scoring his sole goal during the previously mentioned 3-2 victory on Christmas Day in 1971.

Though transfer listed in October 1972, it wasn’t until September 1973 that he switched to Falkirk for a reported fee of £7,000.

In his four years as a Bairn, he made 132 appearances, doubling his Tannadice tally by scoring twice.

Thereafter, he spent a season with Montrose, playing 32 times during the 1977-78 campaign before ending his career in Scotland with 84 appearances in three seasons with Forfar Athletic before emigrating to Australia in 1981.

Cameron went on to play over 100 games for Falkirk, and also had spells with Montrose and Forfar Athletic before emigrating to Australia in 1981.

First-Team SQUAD

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We head back to season 1939-40, a campaign in which clubs operated under the restrictions imposed by those difficult times.

Whilst clubs south of the border continued to issue programmes during the war

– probably because there was a rule that teams had to issue programmes or a team sheet – having never seen a programme after 1939-40, it would appear that the firms that supplied programmes north of the border no longer did so, because these, in general, were supplied to the clubs mainly to inform spectators of the half-time scoreboard.

A point that the Falkirk issue underlined in this edition, in which there was a warning that because some matches kicked off at 2.45 instead of 2.30pm, patrons should not expect the half-time results to be shown on the board until 3.35pm.

For the record, Falkirk finished 4-2 winners.

United scorers were a certain Jerry Kerr, with one of seven goals he scored in his 28 appearances.

The other Tannadice marksman was Arthur Milne, who scored 24 goals that season – totalling 109, but because season 39-40 was wartime, it does not count in official records, as was the case with all wartime matches as well as the first season (1945-46) after the war. So, strictly speaking, his official tally is 85.

For the record, Carruthers, Keyes, Murray

and Napier scored the Bairns’ goals.

The first post-war fixture between the clubs was marked by a programme, and in all probability, it was the first to be issued since the 1939-40 wartime edition.

The 3-0 scoreline written on the cover was, unfortunately, correct, a double by the highly rated Angus Plumb and a Joe Devlin counter being the difference between the two sides. Bob Shankly, incidentally, was the Bairns boss.

The first post-war Tannadice issue against Falkirk was for the return League Cup clash two weeks later and was remarkably similar in style, with eight pages, but now there was individuality given that clubs were producing the programmes themselves, ending the stale similarity in style that existed prewar.

And again, Willie McFadyean’s men drew a blank, losing to Devlin’s only goal of the game.

Indeed, even before this final sectional fixture, it was known that the visitors were going to top the section, whereas with a solitary win in the penultimate group game and two draws, what the programme declared was a ‘Bad Start’ to the campaign.

Nonetheless, despite it being a dead rubber, 10,000 filled the Tannadice terracing.

The Falkirk issue for the penultimate match of season 1959-60.

The standard eight-page issue, in vogue from 1958-59 up to and including 1961-62, covered United’s promotion.

Though the Bairns weren’t involved, ‘Pulsating Climax’ was the editorial headline, which summed up a scenario from which an incredible five clubs were contesting second place.

But little could the editor have more aptly

A standard United programme issue of the early and mid-sixties, but there was nothing standard about the strip United utilised in that game, with the Bristol Rovers checkered-style strip being worn for the first and only time in a competitive fixture.

Just 4,384 watched a less-than-exciting contest, from which United earned two points courtesy of Eric Brodie’s ultra-early strike.

As you can see from The Sunday Post report, other than the new attire and early goal, this was not a match that lingered long in the memories.

Almost forgot, Wattie Carlyle did miss a penalty.

HEADING FOR 500

Following a clean sweep of October’s montly awards, Dundee United Midfielder Craig Sibbald reflects on his footballing journey so far as he prepares to make his 500th appearance in the professional game against his hometown club.

22 NOVEMBER

1924 – United 5 Armadale 2 | League (Second Division)

Bobby Bauld, who levelled things up after United went behind.

After a less-thandistinguished first-half performance, Jimmy

Brownlie’s side took a grip on proceedings and simply swamped Armadale at Tannadice.

The first half was very much a damp squid from a United point of view, falling behind after 30 minutes through Cullen, after Chisholm and Lauder passed up great chances. Within five minutes, however, Bobby Bauld levelled from close range. A pulsating start to the second produced three goals inside the opening 12 minutes. Willie Mackie and Willie Oswald were on target. Sandwiched between those, Cullen converted a spot-kick. But United’s pressure told, Mackie scoring a second and Sandy Gilmour completing the scoring with a goal for which Hunter, the Dale

keeper, was badly at fault, letting the greasy ball slip through his fingers.

1947 – United 3-2

Hamilton Accies | League (B Division)

George Grant’s lastminute strike earned a fine win over Accies.

United’s tireless trio were responsible for this victory over promotionseeking Hamilton Accies in what was ranked as the most impressive home performance of the season. Not that it got off to the best of starts, with Accies’ Tommy McVinish slamming home a firstminute opener. Not that Willie McFadyen’s men were behind for long, Peter

McKay equalising three minutes later.

Another setback for the Terrors came after 22 minutes when Malcolm Sinclair sustained an ankle injury and, in presubstitute days, it left the home side a man short. Nevertheless, the efforts, particularly by the trio of defenders Bobby Ross, Bobby Simpson and Alex Jardine, worked tirelessly to keep Accies at bay. Indeed, Willie Crothers gave United an interval lead with a goal five minutes from the break. Only the impressive Johnny Martin’s goal after 53 minutes breached the Tannadice iron curtain. Reward for such stubborn resistance came with George Grant netting a last-minute winner.

1969 – Raith Rovers 0-1 United | League (Division One)

Davie Wilson, United’s matchwinner at Stark’s Park.

It was 10 years since Rovers had last beaten United, and the Dundonians’ first-half display suggested it would be a long time before they did the trick again. United shone with terrific man-to-man passing—a difficult job in the conditions—and superb positional play gave the impression they had slipped on their substitute and were fielding an extra man. A one-goal lead at halftime was poor reward indeed for their efforts.

Then came a remarkable second-half transformation. United were still good—but Rovers came on to a tremendous game. Gone was the indecision. Passes began finding their men. They lost their inferiority complex, mainly because they went into the tackle and began battling for the ball in midfield. It was anything but a good day for football, yet full marks go to 22 rain-soaked heroes.

The all-important goal was a real old-time effort from veteran Davie Wilson. The winger cannily judged his position to leave himself in the clear. Over

came a swirling ball from Davie Hogg, and Wilson’s right-foot thunderbolt from 20 yards took the inside of the crossbar and crashed into the net with Reid helpless.

1986 – United 1-0 Hibernian | League (Premier Division)

Eamonn Bannon scored the winner with a rare headed goal.

United’s stranglehold over Hibs continued with this narrow but deserved victory. The managerless Easter Road side, as expected, proved a tough nut to crack, with only a goal just before half-time earning three points.

United started well, but Irishman Mark Caughey should have put Hibs ahead in the 18th minute when he met a cross at the near post and somehow managed to shoot past the far post. From then until the interval, with the Terrors well on top, they were finally rewarded when Paul Sturrock’s corner from the left was headed strongly downwards past Alan Rough by Eamonn Bannon.

Fewer chances came our way in the second half, in which debutant Billy McKinlay was unfortunate to see Alan Rough brilliantly tip his volley over

the bar, and Iain Ferguson also saw the Hibs ’keeper save his effort after it had taken a deflection. The closest Hibs came to taking a point was right at the beginning of the half when Maurice Malpas cleared a Caughey shot off the line.

2009 – United 2 Celtic 1 | League (Premiership)

Darren Dods (partially hidden by Jon Daly) heads the late winner.

After early doubts about the game going ahead, the lunchtime kick-off took place as scheduled as both teams lined up for what promised to be an absorbing 90 minutes. The hosts knew that a win would take them within two points of their opponents and set them up very nicely for the rest of the season.

United, however, had not recorded a single victory over Celtic since August 1999, and entering the last ten minutes a goal down, the odds were against that ten-year drought ending. Ironically, that goal came

on 70 minutes with United looking the more likely to score. It was a cruel twist of fate as Celtic broke up the other end to open the scoring. Barry Robson evaded Paul Dixon and then Darren Dods, who unfortunately tripped his former team-mate just inside the area to concede a penalty. Barry took the kick himself and sent Nicky Weaver the wrong way, much to the anguish of the United fans.

United’s bad luck in front of goal finally turned after 82 minutes when they scored a deserved equaliser. A perfectly delivered corner from the left by Danny Swanson was met superbly by Jon Daly, who thundered a close-range header home. With time almost up and the Terrors desperately pushing for a winning goal, Swanson forced Lukasz Zaluska into a fine save from a long-range free kick, and from the resultant corner, joy turned to ecstasy for United. Swanson again took the set-piece, playing it into the heart of the congested Celtic penalty box, and Dods towered above everyone else to crash an unstoppable header into the back of the net to spark wild celebrations both on and off the pitch.

2014 – United 3-1 Kilmarnock | League (Premiership)

Nadir Çiftçi celebrates after opening the scoring.

Looking to bounce back from a defeat at Motherwell, manager Jackie McNamara made five changes and they got off to a great start as Stuart Armstrong threaded a telling through ball into the path of Nadir Çiftçi, who fired a low drive across Craig Samson and into the far corner.

The first half was full of end-to-end play and a number of red-blooded challenges as both sides battled to strengthen their position prior to the interval. Manuel Pascali equalised. United went straight back on to the attack, and Stuart Armstrong powered goal-ward, exchanging passes with Erskine before firing into the bottom right corner from 16 yards.

Eager to notch a seventh home win of the season, United played some excellent football in the second half, and substitute Aiden Connor wrapped up the points in a last-minute strike with a tap-in from Blair Spittal’s cross on the counterattack.

FIXTURES AND RESULTS

YEVHENII KUCHERENKO (GK)

RYAN STRAIN

BERT ESSELINK

IURIE IOVU

VICKO ŠEVELJ

ROSS GRAHAM

KRISTIJAN TRAPANOVSKI

PANUTCHE CAMARÁ

ZAC SAPSFORD

WILL FERRY

CRAIG SIBBALD

AMAR FATAH

IVAN DOLČEK

DARIO NAAMO

KRISZTIAN KERESZTES

DAVE RICHARDS (GK)

MILLER THOMSON

LEWIS O’DONNELL

RUAIRIDH ADAMS (GK)

OWEN STIRTON

CHARLIE DEWAR

MAX WATTERS

SAM CLEALL-HARDING

SCOTT CONSTABLE

CALVIN BEATTIE

ISAAC PAPPOE

NIKOLAJ MÖLLER

FALKIRK

NICKY HOGARTH

KEELAN ADAMS

LEON MCCANN

TOM LANG

LIAM HENDERSON

COLL DONALDSON

BRIAN GRAHAM

BRAD SPENCER

ROSS MACIVER

AIDAN NISBETT

ALFREDO AGYEMAN

JAMIE SNEDDON

FINN YEATS

LEWIS NEILSON HENRY CARTWRIGHT

GARY OLIVER

SCOTT BAIN

CONNOR ALLAN DYLAN TAIT

KYRELL WILSON

ETHAN ROSS

ETHAN WILLIAMS

RYAN EDWARDS

FILIP LISSAH

CALVIN MILLER

SCOTT ARFIELD

SAM HART

TREY SAMUEL-OGUNSUYI