Dundee derby

The Dundee derby refers to a football match between Dundee and Dundee United. Both clubs are based yards apart in the city of Dundee, the fourth-largest city in Scotland.

History

Map showing the proximity of Tannadice Park home Dundee United (right) to Dundee FC's stadium Dens Park (left)

Dundee is the older of the two, having been founded in 1893, compared to Dundee United, which was founded in 1909 as Dundee Hibernian following the demise of Dundee Harp, a club founded by Irish immigrants in 1879. While United's origins stem from Irish immigration the rivalry is not sectarian in the way the Old Firm is. Dundee had long been the more successful club, playing more seasons in the top flight than their rivals and winning one League title, one Scottish Cup and three League Cups before United lifted a major trophy. However, from the 1970s under Jim McLean the tide was turning in the city's footballing rivalry. United would go onto be a major force in Scottish football in the 1980s, winning the 1983 league title and their rivalry with Aberdeen being phrased the New Firm. In 2010 United won their second Scottish Cup and with it levelling Dundee's 5 major trophies.

The two grounds are the closest League grounds in Britain and with it has led a unique rivalry, though one often deemed more amicable than most, similar to the Merseyside derby and Derby della Lanterna of Genoa with many families split down the middle in support.

The two clubs even had a combined hooligan 'firm', known as the Dundee Utility, which was formed to stand up to the larger firms of the Old Firm and Edinburgh clubs.

Domestic head-to-head

In domestic head-to-head matches, the teams have played each other 157 times, Dundee United winning 74 compared to Dundee's 45 wins. A total of 38 matches have ended in a stalemate.^[1] Dundee United have won more league, Scottish Cup and League Cup matches.

As of 17 March 2013

League competition

Since the beginning of the Scottish Premier League, Dundee United have a superior record, having spent fifteen seasons in the top division to Dundee's eight as well achieving the highest finish (3rd in 2010 to Dundee's 5th in 1999). United also have the higher points to game average and since the split was introduced in 2000/01 have finished top 6 seven times compared with Dundee's two.

Dundee however have competed in more seasons of top flight football, 92 in total to United's 57 but United maintain a better points to game average in the top tier. Both clubs have won the Scottish Championship once, Dundee in 1962 and United in 1983.

All time top flight table (1890/91-present – 117th Season)

As of 21 December 2013:

Scottish Premiership Table (2013/14–present - 1st Season)

As of 21 December 2013:

SPL Table (1998/99-2012/13 – 15 Seasons)

Premier Division Table (1975/76-1997/98 – 23 Seasons)

Cup competition

In the Scottish Cup, Dundee have competed in 108 Tournaments, they were cup winners in 1910 as well as runners up in 1925, 1952, 1964 and 2003. Dundee United have competed in 88 Tournaments, they were cup winners in 1994 and 2010 as well as runners up in 1974, 1981, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1991 and 2005.

Scottish Cup table (1873/74-present – 128th Season)

As of 30 November 2013:

In the League Cup, Dundee have been the winners on three occasions, in 1951–52, 1952–53 and 1973–74, they were also runners up in 1967–68, 1980–81 and 1995–96. Dundee United meanwhile have won it twice, winners in 1979–80 and 1980–81, they were also runners up in 1981–82, 1984–85, 1997–98 and 2007–08.

League Cup table (1946/47-present – 68th Season)

As of 28 October 2013:

European competition

In European competition, Dundee United have played in more tournaments and in more games, competing in 26 tournaments to Dundee's 7 and in 78 more matches.^[2] Neither side has won a trophy, although United were runners-up in the 1986–87 UEFA Cup and both sides have reached the semi-finals of the European Cup once.

As of 9 August 2012:

Trophy cabinet comparison

Both clubs have won 5 major Scottish football trophies.

Team records

The following are records just for the Dundee derby itself:

• The longest unbeaten run in all matches is 13, held by United, this was between December 1979 and September 1983, 11 of these were Wins.
• The longest unbeaten run in home matches is held by Dundee when United failed to beat them for 14 games between November 1925 and August 1962.
• The longest unbeaten run in away matches is held by United with a 12 match run at Dens Park between April 1963 and April 1971 which included 8 victories.
• The longest unbroken winning run in all matches belongs to United with 7 between March 1988 and April 1989.
• The longest unbroken winning run at home belongs to United with 6 between September 1974 and September 1981.
• The longest unbroken winning run away from home belongs to United who scored 8 consecutive victories at Dens Park between December 1980 and November 1984.
• The record home victory in a league match is 5–0 recorded by Dundee at Dens Park in August 1926
• The record away victory in a league match is 5–0 recorded by United at Dens Park in September 1965.
• The highest scoring match was in September 1971 when Dundee won 6–4 at Dens Park.
• Paul Sturrock of United holds the mark for the most derby goals with 14, 2 of these came in United's 3–0 League Cup Final win over Dundee at Dens Park in December 1980.
• Record Attendance:
  • 29,106 at Dens Park, 14 May 1983 (Premier Division)
  • 21,325 at Tannadice, 3 January 1966 (old Division One)
• Lowest Attendance:
  • 9,185 at Tannadice, 12 December 1999 (SPL)
  • 7,645 at Dens Park, 29 January 1994 (Premier Division)

Players at both clubs

Fourteen players have signed for Dundee United directly from Dundee with seven making the opposite journey from Tannadice to Dens Park. Only players who have played at least one first team game for both clubs are currently included.

Dundee to Dundee United Date Player Fee 00 000 1909 Tim Dailly Unknown[3] 00 000 1909 Thomas Flood Unknown[3] 00 000 1913 Collie Martin Unknown[3] 00 000 1913 Fred Stoessell Unknown[3] 00 000 1933 James Angus Munro Unknown[3] 00 000 1947 Jimmy Dickson Unknown[3] 00 000 1948 Kinnaird Ouchterlonie Unknown[3] 00 000 1969 Alex Stuart Unknown 00 000 1973 Duncan McLeod Unknown 00 000 1977 Bobby Robinson Unknown 29 Nov 1978 Iain Phillip £25,000[4] 6 Aug 1996 Neil Duffy £200,000[5] 3 Jun 2008 Scott Robertson Bosman[6] 23 Jun 2008 Paul Dixon £25,000[7]

Dundee United to Dundee Date Player Fee 00 000 1947 George Mackay Unknown[3] 00 000 1948 Jack Court Unknown[3] 00 000 1971 Ian Scott Unknown 00 000 1977 Billy Williamson Unknown 13 Dec 1986 Tommy Coyne £75,000[8] 00 000 1995 Roy McBain Unknown 3 Jun 1997 Jim McInally Free[9]

Complete list

In addition, other players have played for both clubs without moving directly between them. A list of all players to have played at least one first-team game for both clubs is displayed below.

Goal scorer records

Scorer	Team(s)	League	Scottish Cup	League Cup	Total
Paul Sturrock	Dundee United	11	1	2	14
Iain Ferguson	Dundee Dundee United	7 1	- 3	- 1	12
Kenny Cameron	Dundee United Dundee	6 2	- -	- 2	10
Ian Mitchell	Dundee United	8	-	1	9
Eamonn Bannon	Dundee United	7	2	-	9
Andy Campbell	Dundee	8	-	-	8
Jocky Scott	Dundee	8	-	-	8
Ralph Milne	Dundee United	8	-	-	8
Billy Dodds	Dundee United Dundee	5 2	- 1	- -	8
Keith Wright	Dundee	5	1	1	7
Dennis Gillespie	Dundee United	5	-	1	6
Gordon Wallace	Dundee Dundee United	6 -	- -	- -	6
Tommy Coyne	Dundee Dundee United	5 1	- -	- -	6
Alan Gilzean	Dundee	4	-	2	6
John Clark	Dundee United	5	1	-	6
Willie Pettigrew	Dundee United	1	4	-	5
Mixu Paatelainen	Dundee United	5	-	-	5
Paddy Connolly	Dundee United	5	-	-	5
Jim McIntyre	Dundee United	5	-	-	5
Steve Lovell	Dundee	5	-	-	5

Full game list

Fixtures from 1925 to the present day featuring League games, Scottish Cup and League Cup matches. Friendlies, testimonials and other non-competitive games are not included.^[10][11] Dundee wins are coloured in blue, United wins in tangerine and draws are grey. Note that United played in white until 1969 but tangerine is used throughout for ease.

References