Dundee United – ‘Interesting' Facts.

Last updated : 30 March 2002 By United Mad

When United won the Premier League in ‘82/3 season, they only used twelve players all season - Hamish McAlpine, Derek Stark, Maurice Malpas, Richard Gough, Paul Hegarty, David Narey, Eamonn Bannon, Ralph Milne, Billy Kirkwood, Paul Sturrock, Davie Dodds and John Holt.

United eventually won the Scottish Cup in 1994, after losing in the final on SIX previous occasions - 1973/74, 1980/81, 1984/85, 1986/87, 1987/88 and 1990/91. During that time they also lost two League Cup Finals in 1981/82, 1984/85, though they had managed two League Cup Final victories in ‘79/80 and ‘80/81.


Dundee United have played Barcelona four times in European competition, and have won every single leg. (‘66/67 and ‘86/87). They are the only UK team with a 100% record against the Spanish Giants – played four won four.


Dundee United fielded an all Scottish side in this year's Dundee derby on the 19th January, the first all-Scottish side in the SPL all season.

United's biggest victory against their Dark Blue neighbours came in 1965, with a 5-0 thrashing. Ironically, it was future Dundee United manager and chairman Jim McLean's debut – FOR DUNDEE!!!


Why are United fans called Arabs? No-one knows for sure – but the most popular explanation is that during a particularly harsh winter in the ‘60's, lots of sand was used on frozen pitch at Tannadice. Also, the name ‘Arabs' only refers to the fans, not the club or team, whose nickname is The Terrors.

Dundee United were originally known as Dundee Hibernian and played their first match on the 18th August 1909, a 1 – 1 draw with Edinburgh Hibernian in a friendly. They became Dundee United in 1923.

Record Attendance – 28 000 against Barcelona, 16th November 1966. Record Appearances – Maurice Malpas (619 games between 1981 and 2000). Record victory: 14-0 v Nithdale Wanderers, Scottish Cup 1st rd, 17 January 1931. Record defeat: 1-12 v Motherwell, Second Division, 23 January 1954.

I hope that kept you from boredom for a few minutes.


All the best.

Nottingham Arab.