Dundee United F.C. season 2007-08

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Dundee United
Season 2007-08
Manager Craig Levein
Chairman Eddie Thompson
League Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Final league position 5th
Scottish Cup Fifth round
CIS Insurance Cup Runners-up
Top goalscorer League: Noel Hunt (13)
All: Noel Hunt (18)
Highest home attendance 13,613 (vs Celtic, 22 May)
Lowest home attendance 5,845 (vs Inverness CT, 01 Dec)

Dundee United finished the Scottish Premier League 2007-08 season in 5th place with 52 points. Noel Hunt was the top scorer with 18 goals.

Contents

[edit] Review and events

The pre-season period began with two new permanent signings at the club, Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska and Darren Dods having signed deals in June. Irishman Willo Flood also arrived from Cardiff City on a season-long loan deal. In July, former Ajax youngster Prince Buaben signed after a successful trial and was joined by a second Polish keeper, Grzegorz Szamotulski, in time for the league season. Englishman Jordan Robertson became the second long-term loan signing when he arrived from Sheffield United in late August.

A number of players who were out of contract left the club following the end of the 2006–07 season. Lee Mair signed a pre-contract deal with Aberdeen and Derek Stillie moved to England to pursue a law career. David McCracken and Collin Samuel were both released. Also leaving the club were a number of younger players who had failed to earn extensions to their contracts. These were Gregg Burnett, Barry Callaghan and Ross Gardiner. All had played at least once for the first team.

The first game of the season was home to Aberdeen in the SPL, and ended in a 1-0 victory.[1] As the season progressed, United maintained their high league table position, ending 2007 in 4th place.

The club lost to Rangers in the CIS Insurance Cup final in March, losing on penalties. The Scottish Cup campaign was ended by St Mirren in the fifth round.

[edit] Chronological list of events

This is a list of the significant events to occur at the club during the 2007-08 season, presented in chronological order. This list does not include transfers, which are listed in the transfers section below, or match results, which are in the results section.

[edit] Match results

Dundee United played a total of 46 competitive matches during the 2007-08 season,[20] as well as four first team pre-season friendlies. The team finished fifth in the Scottish Premier League.

In the cup competitions, United were runners up in the final of the CIS Insurance Cup, losing on penalties to Rangers. United lost to St Mirren in the Scottish Cup fifth round, after a replay.

[edit] Scottish Premier League

Game-by-game league positions
Game-by-game league positions
Home team Score Away team Additional information

Source: BBC Sport website: Scottish Premier
a.e.t. = after extra time; agg. = aggregation score; pen. = decision by penalties.

[edit] Scottish Cup

Main article: Scottish Cup 2007-08
Home team Score Away team Additional information

Source: BBC Sport website: Scottish Cups
a.e.t. = after extra time; agg. = aggregation score; pen. = decision by penalties.

[edit] CIS Insurance Cup

Early stages of the 3-1 home CIS Cup win against Hamilton on 31st October
Early stages of the 3-1 home CIS Cup win against Hamilton on 31st October
Home team Score Away team Additional information

Source: BBC Sport website: Scottish Cups
a.e.t. = after extra time; agg. = aggregation score; pen. = decision by penalties.

[edit] Player stats

During the 2007-08 season, United used 30 different players on the pitch. The table below shows the number of appearances and goals scored by each player.[21]

No. Nat. Position Player Total Clydesdale Bank Premier League Scottish Cup CIS Insurance Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 Flag of Poland GK Lukasz Zaluska 18 0 14 0 2 0 2 0
13 Flag of Scotland GK Euan McLean 7 0 6 0 1 0 0 0
21 Flag of Poland GK Grzegorz Szamotulski 21 0 18 0 0 0 3 0
2 Flag of Ireland DF Sean Dillon 39 2 32 2 3 0 4 0
3 Flag of Norway DF Christian Kalvenes 23 2 18 1 1 0 4 1
4 Flag of Scotland DF Lee Wilkie 37 4 30 3 3 0 4 1
5 Flag of Scotland DF Darren Dods 39 2 32 1 3 0 4 1
8 Flag of England DF Daniel Grainger 16 0 14 0 2 0 0 0
18 Flag of Scotland DF Garry Kenneth 20 1 19 1 0 0 1 0
24 Flag of Scotland DF Stuart Duff 9 0 9 0 0 0 0 0
24 Flag of Switzerland DF Mihael Kovacevic 5 0 4 0 0 0 1 0
6 Flag of Ireland MF Willo Flood 43 0 35 0 3 0 5 0
7 Flag of Scotland MF Mark Kerr 37 0 29 0 3 0 5 0
11 Flag of Scotland MF Barry Robson 24 12 21 11 1 1 2 0
11 Flag of Scotland MF Jim O'Brien 10 0 10 0 0 0 0 0
12 Flag of Scotland MF David Robertson 24 6 19 6 1 0 4 0
14 Flag of Scotland MF Steven Robb 13 0 12 0 0 0 1 0
15 Flag of Scotland MF Craig Conway 19 2 15 1 2 0 2 1
16 Flag of France MF Morgaro Gomis 43 1 35 1 3 0 5 0
17 Flag of Scotland MF Greg Cameron 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0
20 Flag of Ghana MF Prince Buaben 29 2 23 2 1 0 5 0
23 Flag of Scotland MF Danny Swanson 13 2 11 2 2 0 0 0
32 Flag of Scotland MF Fraser Milligan 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
9 Flag of Ireland ST Jon Daly 9 0 9 0 0 0 0 0
10 Flag of Ireland ST Noel Hunt 43 18 35 13 3 0 5 5
22 Flag of England ST Jordan Robertson 18 4 14 3 1 0 3 1
22 Flag of Suriname ST Mark de Vries 17 3 13 2 2 0 2 1
25 Flag of England ST Eric Odhiambo 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 0
26 Flag of Scotland ST David Goodwillie 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
30 Flag of Scotland ST Johnny Russell 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0

[edit] Goalscorers

Fifteen players scored for the United first team with the team scoring 64 goals in total. The top goalscorer was Noel Hunt with 18 goals.[21]

Name League Cups Total
Hunt, NoelNoel Hunt 13 5 Scored 18
Robson, BarryBarry Robson 11 1 Scored 12
Robertson, DavidDavid Robertson 6 Scored 06
Robertson, JordanJordan Robertson 3 1 Scored 04
Wilkie, LeeLee Wilkie 3 1 Scored 04
Buaben, PrincePrince Buaben 3 Scored 03
de Vries, MarkMark de Vries 2 1 Scored 03
Dillon, SeanSean Dillon 2 Scored 02
Dods, DarrenDarren Dods 2 Scored 02
Swanson, DannyDanny Swanson 2 Scored 02
Conway, CraigCraig Conway 1 1 Scored 02
Kalvenes, ChristianChristian Kalvenes 1 1 Scored 02
Gomis, MorgaroMorgaro Gomis 2 Scored 02
Flood, WilloWillo Flood 1 Scored 01
Kenneth, GarryGarry Kenneth 1 Scored 01
Own goals 1 Scored 01

[edit] Discipline

During the 2007-08 season, nine United players were sent off and 15 received at least one caution. In total, the team received nine red cards and 56 yellow cards.[21]

Name Cautions Dismissals
Wilkie, LeeLee Wilkie Booked 10 Sent off 1
Kenneth, GarryGarry Kenneth Booked 05 Sent off 1
Gomis, MorgaroMorgaro Gomis Booked 04 Sent off 1
Flood, WilloWillo Flood Booked 03 Sent off 1
Robson, BarryBarry Robson Booked 03 Sent off 1
Robertson, JordanJordan Robertson Booked 02 Sent off 1
Dillon, SeanSean Dillon Booked 01 Sent off 1
Swanson, DannyDanny Swanson Sent off 1
Szamotulski, GrzegorzGrzegorz Szamotulski Sent off 1
Dods, DarrenDarren Dods Booked 10
Hunt, NoelNoel Hunt Booked 05
Kerr, MarkMark Kerr Booked 05
Buaben, PrincePrince Buaben Booked 04
de Vries, MarkMark de Vries Booked 02
Robertson, DavidDavid Robertson Booked 02
Daly, JonJon Daly Booked 01
Grainger, DannyDanny Grainger Booked 01
Kalvenes, ChristianChristian Kalvenes Booked 01
O'Brien, JimJim O'Brien Booked 01

[edit] Transfers

[edit] In

United signed ten players during the season with an eleventh after the season had finished. Four players were signed on loan.

Date Player From Fee (£)
11 Jun 2007 Flag of Poland Zaluska, LukaszLukasz Zaluska Korona Kielce Nominal[22]
12 Jun 2007 Flag of Ireland Flood, WilloWillo Flood Cardiff City Loan[23]
22 Jun 2007 Flag of Scotland Dods, DarrenDarren Dods Inverness CT Bosman[24]
20 Jul 2007 Flag of Ghana Buaben, PrincePrince Buaben Unattached (ex-Ajax) Free[25]
25 Jul 2007 Flag of Poland Szamotulski, GrzegorzGrzegorz Szamotulski Unattached (ex-Sturm Graz) Free[26]
28 Aug 2007 Flag of England Robertson, JordanJordan Robertson Sheffield United Loan[27][28]
01 Jan 2008 Flag of Scotland Swanson, DannyDanny Swanson Berwick Rangers £0,040,000[29][30]
01 Jan 2008 Flag of England Grainger, DanielDaniel Grainger Gretna £0,015,000[31][30]
01 Jan 2008 Flag of England Odhiambo, EricEric Odhiambo Leicester City Loan[32]
18 Jan 2008 Flag of Switzerland Kovacevic, MihaelMihael Kovacevic Koper £0,040,000[33][30]
25 Jan 2008 Flag of Suriname de Vries, MarkMark de Vries Unattached (ex-Leicester City) Free[34]
31 Jan 2008 Flag of Ireland O'Brien, JimJim O'Brien Celtic Loan[35]
03 Mar 2008 Flag of Guinea Camara, KemokoKemoko Camara Unattached Free[36]
15 Apr 2008 Flag of Scotland Kevin Smith Unattached (ex-Aldershot) Free[37]
03 Jun 2008 Flag of Scotland Scott Robertson Dundee Bosman[38]

[edit] Out

Five players left United during the season, with a number of young players spending time on loan with lower league clubs. Two player also agreed moves at the end of the season.

Date Player To Fee
28 Aug 2007 Flag of Scotland Andreoni, MarcoMarco Andreoni Montrose Loan[27]
28 Aug 2007 Flag of Scotland Easton, WilliamWilliam Easton Stirling Albion Loan[27]
31 Aug 2007 Flag of Scotland Proctor, DavidDavid Proctor Inverness CT Released[39]
26 Oct 2007 Flag of Scotland Cameron, GregGreg Cameron Partick Thistle Loan[40]
02 Nov 2007 Flag of Scotland Goodwillie, DavidDavid Goodwillie Raith Rovers Loan[41]
02 Jan 2008 Flag of Scotland Andreoni, MarcoMarco Andreoni Airdrie United Loan[42]
03 Jan 2008 Flag of Scotland Easton, WilliamWilliam Easton Ayr United Released[43]
17 Jan 2008 Flag of Scotland Duff, StuartStuart Duff Aberdeen Released[44]
18 Jan 2008 Flag of Scotland Cameron, GregGreg Cameron St Johnstone Loan[45]
31 Jan 2008 Flag of Poland Szamotulski, GrzegorzGrzegorz Szamotulski Preston Contract expiry[46]
31 Jan 2008 Flag of Scotland Robson, BarryBarry Robson Celtic £1,250,000[47]
15 May 2008 Flag of Scotland McLean, EuanEuan McLean St Johnstone Free[48]
27 May 2008 Flag of Scotland Robb, StevenSteven Robb St Mirren Free[49]

[edit] Playing kit

Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Home colours
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Away colours

The jerseys were sponsored for a second[50] (and final) season by Anglian Home Improvements (who again sponsored Motherwell). The sponsor logo is displayed as a simple font across the chest, with white logo for the home top and black logo on the change strip.[51] The shorts were again sponsored by Ole International after the Spanish property firm extended the deal for a second year.[52] The shorts logo is displayed on the right hand side, above the club badge.[52] The expiry of both deals at the end of the season means the club will have at least one new sponsorship for 2008-09, as the option of a third year of shirt sponsorship[50] was passed for a new one-year deal with JD Sports' Carbrini label for 2008-09.[53][54]

The club has no third strip, with the last third strip used in the 2002-03 season.

[edit] Awards

Craig Levein (October 2007)
Lee Wilkie (October 2007), Barry Robson (January 2008)
Danny Grainger (January 2008), Garry Kenneth (March 2008)
Willo Flood (2007-08)

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Dundee Utd 1-0 Aberdeen", BBC Sport website, 2007-08-04. 
  2. ^ "Henry strikes on Barcelona debut", BBC Sport website, 2007-07-26. 
  3. ^ "Tannadice trial for striker Suffo", BBC Sport website, 2007-09-06. 
  4. ^ "Gomis extends Dundee Utd contract", BBC Sport website, 2007-09-18. 
  5. ^ "Levein nets monthly boss award", BBC Sport website, 2007-11-08. 
  6. ^ "Wilkie wins October player prize", BBC Sport website, 2007-11-10. 
  7. ^ "Szamotulski answers Levein call", BBC Sport website, 2007-12-28. 
  8. ^ "Szamotulski answers Levein call", BBC Sport website, 2007-12-28. 
  9. ^ "Motherwell captain O'Donnell dies", BBC Sport website, 2007-12-29. 
  10. ^ "Dundee United dismiss bid for Hunt", BBC Sport website, 2008-01-07. 
  11. ^ "Robertson makes Sheff Utd return", BBC Sport website, 2008-01-18. 
  12. ^ "Levein given United director role", BBC Sport website, 2008-01-21. 
  13. ^ "Dundee Utd reject Robson offers", BBC Sport website, 2008-01-23. 
  14. ^ "United reveal new chief executive", BBC Sport website, 2008-02-14. 
  15. ^ "Thompson gets Tannadice tribute", BBC Sport website, 2008-03-21. 
  16. ^ "Striker Thomas on Tannadice trial", BBC Sport website, 2008-04-08. 
  17. ^ "Rangers v Dundee United", SFA website, 2008-05-12. 
  18. ^ "Dundee United lodge ref complaint", BBC Sport website, 2008-05-20. Retrieved on 2008-05-20. 
  19. ^ a b "Barca face Hibs and Dundee United", BBC Sport website, 2008-05-20. Retrieved on 2008-05-20. 
  20. ^ 2007/2008 - First Team Fixtures & Results. Dundee United FC. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
  21. ^ a b c Dundee Utd 2007/2008 player appearances. Soccerbase. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
  22. ^ "Dundee Utd confirm Zaluska deal", BBC Sport website, 2007-05-31. 
  23. ^ "Flood secures Tannadice loan deal", BBC Sport website, 2007-06-12. 
  24. ^ "Dods seals move to Dundee United", BBC Sport website, 2007-06-22. 
  25. ^ "New Prince arrives at Tannadice", BBC Sport website, 2007-07-20. 
  26. ^ "Levein nets new Polish goalkeeper", BBC Sport website, 2007-07-25. 
  27. ^ a b c "United seal Robertson loan deal", BBC Sport website, 2007-08-28. 
  28. ^ "Robertson makes Sheff Utd return", BBC Sport website, 2008-01-18. 
  29. ^ "Dundee United agree Swanson fee", BBC Sport website, 2007-09-28. 
  30. ^ a b c Roache, Ian. "Tangerines’ future bright, says Levein", The Courier, 2008-01-31. 
  31. ^ "Gretna's Grainger Tannadice bound", BBC Sport website, 2007-12-27. 
  32. ^ "Dundee Utd to sign Foxes striker", BBC Sport website, 2007-12-28. 
  33. ^ "Tangerines sign stopper Kovacevic", BBC Sport website, 2008-01-18. 
  34. ^ "Dundee Utd sign striker de Vries", BBC Sport website, 2008-01-25. 
  35. ^ "United seal O'Brien loan switch", BBC Sport website, 2008-02-01. 
  36. ^ "United conclude goalkeeper deal", BBC Sport website, 2008-03-03. 
  37. ^ Dey, Graeme. "United tie up ex-Dark Blue", The Courier, 2008-04-15. Retrieved on 2008-04-15. 
  38. ^ "Dundee United seal Robertson deal", BBC Sport website, 2008-06-03. 
  39. ^ "McGuire and Proctor join Brewster", BBC Sport website, 2007-08-31. 
  40. ^ "Partick loan switch for Cameron", BBC Sport website, 2007-10-26. 
  41. ^ Goodwillie on loan to Raith Rovers. Dundee United FC (2007-11-01).
  42. ^ Marco on loan to Airdrie United. Dundee United FC (2008-01-01).
  43. ^ William Easton leaves United. Dundee United FC (2008-01-03).
  44. ^ "Duff finalises New Firm switch", BBC Sport website, 2008-01-17. 
  45. ^ "Cameron on loan to St Johnstone", BBC Sport website, 2008-01-18. 
  46. ^ "Szamotulski answers Levein call", BBC Sport website, 2007-12-28. 
  47. ^ "Celtic complete capture of Robson", BBC Sport website, 2008-01-31. 
  48. ^ "McLean makes switch to Saints", BBC Sport website, 2008-05-15. 
  49. ^ "Robb quits Tannadice for Buddies", BBC Sport website, 2008-05-27. 
  50. ^ a b Dundee United announces new shirt sponsor. Dundee United FC (2006-05-08).
  51. ^ Adults home top. Dundee United FC.
  52. ^ a b Ole International sponsorship extension. Dundee United FC (2006-05-08).
  53. ^ Roache, Ian. "United unveil new sponsor", The Courier, 2008-04-14. Retrieved on 2008-04-14. 
  54. ^ Wood, Zoe. "JD Sports scores Scots shirt deal", The Observer, 2008-04-13. Retrieved on 2008-04-14. 

[edit] External links