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Shed Talk 23 | Dundee United v Dundee

Page 1


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

BILLY MORRIS

Head of Player Care

NIALL NICOLSON

Head of Medical

TOMMY SCANLON

First Team Physiotherapist

KEVIN MILNE

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 Groundsman

JAMIE HARLE

Head of Media

MARK MCCREERY

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER

ARRAN HEATH

Digital Content Lead

YANNIS MARR

Club Photographer

RICHARD WISEMAN

SHED TALK

Design and Editors:

ARRAN HEATH & PETER RUNDO

Contributors

MIKE WATSON

RYAN HALDANE

LEE SMITH

LYALL MACDONALD

Printed copies of Shed Talk are available via Curtis Sport.

JIM GOODWIN

Good afternoon and welcome back to Tannadice for what is always one of the biggest fixtures of the season.

The Dundee derby is a game that means everything to both sets of supporters and it’s one we always look forward to.

There’s a real energy around the build-up and the players understand exactly what it represents.

While there’s always that bit of rivalry and banter between the fans, I’ve always said that Scottish football is better when this fixture is on the calendar –but that won’t change our determination to go out and win the game.

We go into this one in a positive run of form and we want to build on that, but we know it will be a tough test.

The last meeting at Dens Park is still fresh in the memory. We were in

control for long periods and produced a very strong performance, but ultimately didn’t get the result we felt we deserved.

That gives us added motivation to put things right this time around.

We know Dundee will come here looking to prove a point as well, and with it being a derby, form often goes out the window.

It will be a physical and competitive game, and we’ll need to match that intensity while also showing the quality we know we have.

It’s up to us to rise to the occasion, deliver the performance required and give our supporters something to celebrate.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

KYLO ROBERTSON

AGE: 4

FAVOURITE PLAYER: WILL FERRY

TRISTAN FARQUHARSON

AGE: 4

FAVOURITE PLAYER: ROSS GRAHAM

MAC RAMSAY-STALKER

AGE: 7

FAVOURITE PLAYER: ROSS GRAHAM

OLLIE GOODWIN

AGE: 10

FAVOURITE PLAYER: AMAR FATAH

ARABELLA MCGONIGAL

AGE: 10

FAVOURITE PLAYER: IURIE IOVU

FREDDIE MCGONIGAL

AGE: 4

FAVOURITE PLAYER: WILL FERRY

CALLAN MCLEAN

AGE: 9

FAVOURITE PLAYER: WILL FERRY

EVAN WATKINS

AGE: 12

FAVOURITE PLAYER: AMAR FATAH

NOAH THOMSON

AGE: 4

FAVOURITE PLAYER: AMAR FATAH

JOHNNY RUSSELL

I’m really looking forward to this one. As soon as the split fixtures come out, it’s the game everyone looks for.

I’ve been involved in a few Dundee derbies now and they’re always special, regardless of where both teams are in the table.

The meaning of the game never changes – it’s about pride, the supporters and the city.

We know how much it matters to the fans. There are families split right down the middle and that just adds to the occasion.

As players, it’s our responsibility to match that emotion with the right performance – to play with intensity but also keep our focus and discipline.

We know we’ve got a point to prove after the last meeting, where we controlled the game for long periods but didn’t get the result, so we want to put that right.

Personally, I’ve got some great memories of this fixture and hopefully there’s more to come.

It’s about enjoying the occasion but also delivering when it matters. We want to finish the season strongly and there’s no better place to start than in a derby.

The support I’ve had since coming back has been incredible, and now it’s about giving something back and creating more moments for them.

Enjoy the game!

LOCAL SUPPLIER OF KEGS,

Welcome to DUNDEE

Dundee arrive at Tannadice on league business for the second time this season..

Currently on a run of four matches without a win, Dundee make the trip across the road this afternoon sitting just five points above the relegation play-off spot and desperate for points.

With a solitary away success from their last seven matches and just two derby wins from their last 15 trips to Tannadice, The Dee will need to buck both trends if they are to avoid being reeled in by the

clubs below them.

Simon Murray leads the clubs Premiership goalscoring chart having netted seven times. However, their return of 32 league goals means only Aberdeen and St Mirren have scored less frequently.

Last month’s 2-2 draw at Dens left honours even for the season heading into today’s match with both sides having recorded a win apiece earlier in the campaign.

After progressing through the youth ranks at Rangers, Steven Pressley lifted the Scottish Cup as a 19-yearold, coming on as a late substitute in the 1993 final. A move to Coventry City followed, where he spent a single season. United then brought the central defender to Tannadice for a record fee. Nicknamed ‘Elvis’, he went on to captain the side to a thirdplace finish the following season before departing

for Hearts. Pressley enjoyed further success at Tynecastle, including lifting the Scottish Cup in 2006, before joining Celtic, where he became the first player to win the trophy with three different clubs. Falkirk.

Appointed Dundee manager in June, Pressley was quick to play down expectations, but he now looks on course to achieve his primary aim of maintaining the club’s Premiership status in his debut season.

MID WINTER ARRIVALS

LEWIS MONTSMA - The Dutchman was Dundee’s only permanent signing during the winter transfer window.

The 6’3” former Dordrecht and Lincoln City defender penned a deal until the end of the season, with the club holding an option to extend.

However, the 27-year-old has yet to feature, having been an unused substitute on half a dozen occasions.

SCOTT WRIGHT - is currently in his second loan spell at Dens Park.

Aberdeen previously loaned the winger to Dundee in 2019, where the former Scotland Under-21 international made 13 appearances, scoring three times.

Sold by the Dons to Rangers in 2021 for £175,000, he went on to score in the 2022 Scottish Cup Final as Hearts were defeated 2-0 after extra time.

JOEL COTTERILL is currently undertaking his fourth loan spell away from parent club Swansea City.

Having previously been sent out to Stockport County, Swindon Town and Bristol Rovers, the 21-yearold Welshman has made just a solitary appearance for the Swans.

The attacking midfielder made his Dundee debut in a 3-0 defeat at Ibrox and scored his only goal so far at Pittodrie in February.

https://www.bbc.com/ sport/football/articles/ c4g24gdz47xo

A move to Birmingham City followed in 2024, but their promotion to the Championship has limited his opportunities, with just six minutes played across three substitute appearances.

WATCH ONE TO

JON MCCRACKEN

After starting the season as back up to Trevor Carson, defeats to Airdrie and Alloa saw the 25-year-old promoted to first choice goalkeeper.

Featuring in the 37 matches since then, the former Hamilton youth product has kept six clean sheets.

After leaving Scotland at the age of 16 to sign for Norwich City, the 6’3” Glaswegian featured in three EFL trophy matches for the u23 side but failed to make the breakthrough into the first team.

This resulted in loans to Bohemians, Stevenage, Dundee (twice) and Accrington Stanley before; after spending eight years at Carrow Road, he was released in the summer.

After having spent the last four months of last term at Dens, it suited both parties for him to make the move permanent and a twoyear deal was signed in June.

PLAYED FOR

GORDON WALLACE

Everyone at Dundee United FC was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player and coach Gordon Wallace last month at the age of 82.

Born on 20 June 1943, Gordon enjoyed a long and distinguished career in football and is fondly remembered for his contribution to both Dundee clubs, both on the pitch and from the dugout.

The Dundonian scored 120 goals for the Dark Blues during a six-year spell at Dens Park, where he won the Scottish Football Writers’ Player of the Year award in 1967-68.

That season, he notched 30 goals and would go on to finish his career with 264 league goals, a record at the time before Ally McCoist surpassed it. In 1973, he scored the winning goal in Dundee’s last major trophy triumph as they defeated Celtic in the League Cup Final at Hampden.

Wallace returned to Dundee as manager in February 1989, leading the club to success in the B&Q Scottish League Centenary Cup in 1990, a one-off competition to mark 100 years of the Scottish Football League and the forerunner to the Challenge Cup.

He departed in 1991 to join Jocky Scott at Dunfermline as assistant manager before making a third return

to Dens in 2004 as a youth and first-team adviser, supporting Barry Smith during the “Deefiant” season.

He was inducted into the Dundee FC Hall of Fame in 2010.

Although regarded as a Dundee legend, Gordon also had a significant association with Dundee United. He joined Jim McLean at Tannadice in August 1976 following a spell with Seattle Sounders in the United States. During his two seasons with the club, he made 51 appearances and scored 19 goals.

He later returned to Tannadice in 1983 as part of the coaching staff, working under Jim McLean during one of the most

assistant manager between 1994 and 1998, this time working alongside Ivan Golac.

That period included another historic moment as United lifted the Scottish Cup in 1994, defeating Rangers 1–0 at Hampden.

Famously, while overseeing a pre-season tour to the West Indies, just shy of his 51st birthday, he became the oldest player to feature in a match against a Tobago select side.

Across his time at Dundee United, Gordon was widely respected for his football knowledge, dedication and the key role he played behind the scenes during some of the club’s greatest achievements.

as assistant manager between 1986 and 1989, he played a key role in the club’s remarkable run to the 1987 UEFA Cup Final.

Along the way, United defeated European heavyweights Barcelona and Borussia Mönchengladbach before facing IFK Gothenburg in the final.

Although the trophy ultimately went to the Swedish side, the campaign remains one of the most celebrated in the club’s history.

Wallace returned for a second spell as

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One of the most frustrating aspects of collecting programmes is the thorny issue of postponements.

Collectors are often at the whim of those responsible for dealing with these situations, meaning it can sometimes be extremely difficult to establish what ultimately happened to certain issues.

In the worst case scenario, programmes are simply consigned to the dustbin. More commonly, however, clubs reused the original issue, occasionally producing a supplement if the fixture was rearranged shortly afterwards.

Postponements are far less common nowadays due to the introduction of undersoil heating and the rise of synthetic pitches, although as seen this winter, heavy rain can still cause disruption.

In years gone by, however, winters were much harsher and, with derby fixtures often scheduled over the festive period, no fewer than seven Dundee derbies were affected.

The 1961-62 fixture is undoubtedly the most difficult of this category to source.

Unlike the following season’s Third Lanark issue, which was postponed late and remains relatively easy to obtain, only a handful of the Dundee programmes are known to exist.

For collectors, particularly Dundee supporters given the significance of that season, this is understandably frustrating, especially as no programme was produced when the game was eventually played almost four months later on the April Spring Holiday Monday.

Curiously, a similar situation occurred nine years later in 1970-71. Wintry weather rendered Dens Park unplayable, one of four First Division matches to fall victim to the freeze.

Although the fixture was not rearranged until April, no programme was issued for the rescheduled game. That said, the postponed issue remains available more than 50 years later.

By 1979-80, the circumstances were slightly different. A Scottish Cup tie was rained off on the Saturday but played just four days later, and it was goals rather than weather that dominated proceedings, as Dundee were convincingly beaten 5-1.

The following season saw another postponement, this time well in advance.

A prolonged spell of sub-zero temperatures meant the mid-January derby in 1981-82 never stood a chance of going ahead, and consequently no programme was produced.

United did, however, fulfil a fixture that day at Ibrox against Rangers, thanks to undersoil heating, after the league intervened due to a backlog of postponed

matches. The derby itself was delayed by two months, when a programme was issued as normal.

A similar scenario unfolded in 1986-87 at Dens Park. With the postponement coming late, programmes had already been put on sale, leaving little alternative but to produce a second issue for the rearranged fixture, albeit in a slightly reduced format.

Together, these examples highlight the unpredictability and occasional rarity that make postponed derby issues such a fascinating and, at times, frustrating pursuit for collectors.

SPOT THE

BALL

26 APRIL

Across the years, this date has delivered a mix of routine victories, hardfought encounters and memorable milestones for Dundee United.

Back in 1924, Jimmy Brownlie’s side rounded off their league campaign with a 2-0 win over Forfar Athletic, securing a respectable mid-table finish in the club’s first season as Dundee United.

Although the performance lacked sparkle, goals from Eddie Gilfeather and Joe O’Kane ensured a deserved victory, with the latter netting his ninth of the campaign late on to seal the result.

There was far more drama in 1948, when United overcame Montrose 5-2 in a Forfarshire Cup replay to progress 6-3 on aggregate.

The visitors twice led in a lively first half before United responded, with

Johnny Kerr and Jimmy Dickson playing key roles.

After the break, United took control, and late goals from Kerr and Willie Crothers ensured a convincing victory in an entertaining cup tie.

By 1958, United were ending their travels for the season in style with a 4-1 win away to Stranraer, although the scoreline flattered the visitors.

Goalkeeper Yeats was in inspired form as Stranraer dominated large spells, but Wilson Humphries proved decisive, scoring a hat-trick, his second treble of the season, while Jimmy King added another to complete a clinical display.

The late 1970s brought a more controlled performance, as United defeated Ayr United 3-1 in 1978 to strengthen their grip on third place in the top flight.

A blistering start saw John Holt and George Fleming strike early, before Gordon Wallace added a third before the break.

Ayr responded after halftime, but United held firm to secure the points. More recently, in 2014, United produced one of their most emphatic displays with a 5-1 victory over Motherwell.

Nadir Çiftçi was the standout performer, scoring twice as United dominated from start to finish.

Further goals from Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Dow and Brian Graham capped a clinical afternoon,

underlining the attacking quality within the side.

Finally, in 2024, a goalless draw away to Airdrieonians proved far more significant than the scoreline suggested, as it confirmed United as Scottish Championship winners and secured an immediate return to the Premiership.

Going into the match, United knew that avoiding defeat would all but secure the title, but they were made to work hard for it against a lively and determined Airdrie side.

The hosts enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, with Jack Walton called into action on several occasions, producing a string of impressive saves to deny Lewis McGregor, Aaron Lyall and Josh O’Connor.

United gradually grew into the contest and began to create opportunities of their own, with Craig

Sibbald dictating play in midfield and Glenn Middleton providing a threat in wide areas.

Substitute Louis Moult also came close late on, but the breakthrough never arrived.

Despite that, the discipline and organisation shown at the back ensured United held firm under sustained pressure, with the defence standing resolute in the closing stages.

When the final whistle sounded, the point proved enough to seal the title thanks to United’s superior goal difference, sparking celebrations among the travelling support.

MENS FIRST TEAM

FIXTURES AND RESULTS

Strain Taponovski SAPSFORD 1 Dolček Watters Sibbald Stirton

Sibbald Camarà Dolček Sapsford Traoanovski Watters Pappoe Stirton

Sibbald Camarà DOLČEK 1 Sapsford WATTERS 1 Stirton Thomson Fotheringham

Sibbald Camarà Ševelj  SAPSFORD 1 WATTERS 1 Dolček Stirton Fotheringham

Sibbald Camarà Ševelj  Sapsford Stirton Fotheringham Fatah

Sibbald Ferry © Sapsford Dolček WATTERS 2 Fatah Thomson Stirton Fotheringham Constable

Sibbald Ferry © Fatah Dolček Watters STIRTON 1 Eskesen Camará Naamo

Camará Ferry © Fatah SAPSFORD 1 DOLČEK 1 Möller Naamo Eskesen

Camará Ferry © Fatah SAPSFORD 1 Dolček Möller Naamo Sibbald Eskesen

Camará Ferry © Fatah Sapsford DOLČEK 1 Sibbald Möller Eskesen Naamo

Camará Ferry © Fatah Sapsford Dolček Möller Eskesen Sibbald Naamo

Camará Ferry © Möller Dolček Sapsford Eskesen Sibbald Fatah Trapanovski

Sibbald Fatah Eskesen Dolček Sapsford Möller Trapanovski Camará Strain Naamo

SIBBALD 1 Camará Ferry © Möller SAPSFORD 1 Trapanovski Naamo Stirton FATAH 1p Sibbald Sapsford Möller Fatah Naamo Camará Trapanovski Dolček

Camará Naamo Dolček Sapsford Fatah

Sibbald Ferry © Dolček Sapsford Fatah Strain Trapanovski Watters Möller

Camará SIBBALD 1 Ferry Sapsford Watters Möller Fatah Dolček

Camará Ferry © SAPSFORD 1 Möller FATAH 1 Strain Dolček Watters Trapanovski Sibbald Ferry Möller Sapsford Fatah Trapanovski Dolček

Sibbald Ferry Sapsford Watters Fatah Moller Dolček Ševelj

Sibbald Ferry SAPSFORD 1 Watters Fatah Ševelj  Dolček Moller

Sibbald Ferry Sapsford Watters Fatah Naamo Ceall-Harding Traponovski Möller Esselink

Sibbald Ferry © Sapsford Watters FATAH 1 Dolček Moller Traponovski

Sibbald Ferry © SAPSFORD 1 Stirton Trapanovski Eskesen Watters Fatah Dolček

Sibbald Ferry © Sapsford Watters Fatah Graham Trapanovski Stirton Dolček

Sibbald Camará Ferry Sapsford Stirton Fatah Trapanovski Strain Eskesen Möller

Sibbald Ferry Sapsford Watters Fatah Trapanovski Strain MOLLER 1 CAMARÁ 1 Stirton

Sibbald Ferry Trapanovski Möller Fatah Farrugia Sapsford Camará Stirton

Sibbald Ferry Sapsford Möller Traponovski Farrugia WATTERS 1 Dolček

SIBBALD 1 Ferry Ferrugia Sapsford Traponovski Watters Ševelj  ESKESEN 1 Dolček

Sibbald Ferry Dolček Watters FATAH 1 Farrugia Watters Stirton Cleall-Harding Stephenson

Sibbald Ferry Watters FATAH 1 Strain Sapsford Ferry © Fatah Sapsford Traponoski Strain Watters Dolček

Camará Stephenson © Strain Farrugia Watters Traponoski Sapsford Fatah Agyei

Farrugia Camará Watters FATAH 1 Sapsford Ferry Traponoski Russell Ferry Traponoski Watters Sapsford ESKESEN 1 Russell Dolček Ferry Farrugia Watters FATAH 1 Camará Sapsford Russell Strain FERRY 1 Farrugia Watters Fatah Sapsford Sibbald Camará

Ferry Farrugia Watters Fatah Richards Camará SAPSFORD 1 Dolček FERRY 1 SAPSFORD 1p Watters Fatah Farrugia KERESZTES 1 Naamo Camará Dolček

DAVE RICHARDS (GK)

RYAN STRAIN

BERT ESSELINK

IURIE IOVU

VICKO ŠEVELJ

ROSS GRAHAM

KRISTIJAN TRAPANOVSKI

PANUTCHE CAMARÁ

ZAC SAPSFORD

JULIUS ESKESEN

WILL FERRY

EMMANUEL AGYEI

CRAIG SIBBALD

AMAR FATAH

IVAN DOLČEK

NEIL FARRUGIA LUCA STEPHENSON

DARIO NAAMO

KRISZTIAN KERESZTES MILLER THOMSON

LEWIS O’DONNELL

RUAIRIDH ADAMS (GK)

OWEN STIRTON

MAX WATTERS

SAM CLEALL-HARDING

SCOTT CONSTABLE

CALVIN BEATTIE

ISAAC PAPPOE

JOHNNY RUSSELL

DUNDEE

JON MCCRACKEN (GK)

CLARK ROBERTSON

RYAN ASTLEY

BILLY KOUMETIO

AARON DONNELLY

DREY WRIGHT

PAUL DIGBY

EMILE ACQUAH

ROBERTSON ASHLEY HAY

SAMUELS KIERAN O'HARA LEWIS M0NTSMA SIMON MURRAY

BRAD HALLIDAY

TONY YOGANE

1CHARLIE REILLY

JOE WESTLEY

CAMERON CONGREVE

YAN DHANDA

LUKE GRAHAM

JOEL CTTERHILL

JOE BEVAN

CALLUM JONES

ALDAHIR VALENZUELA

ETHAN HAMILTON

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