2006–07 Dundee United F.C. season

Dundee United F.C.
2006–07 season
Chairman Eddie Thompson
Manager Craig Brewster (until 29 October)
Craig Levein (from 30 October)
Scottish Premier League 9th
W:10 D:12 L:16 F:40 A:59 P:42
Scottish Cup Fourth round
League Cup Third round
Top goalscorer League: Barry Robson (11)
All: Barry Robson (12)
Highest home attendance 12,329 (vs Aberdeen, 30 December)
Lowest home attendance 5,036 (vs Motherwell, 23 September)
Home colours
Away colours
← 2005–06
2007–08 →

The 2006–07 season was the 97th year of football played by Dundee United, and covers the period from 2006-07-01 to 2007-06-30. United finished in ninth place for the third season in the row and meant they had only finished in the top six once in the seven seasons since the split was introduced.

United finished the season in 9th place with 42 points in the 2006–07 SPL season. In a poor end to the post-match split, United failed to win, scoring just one goal.

The League Cup campaign was ended by St. Johnstone - aided by ex-United player Jason Scotland - who won 3–0 in the third round. United also exited the Scottish Cup at the second hurdle, losing 1–0 at Inverness CT in the 4th round.

Fans' favourite Craig Brewster left the manager's position in late-October, with former Hearts and Leicester City manager Craig Levein taking up the post.

Review and events

United signed Craig Conway, Noel Hunt and Steven Robb in pre-season,[1] with Derek McInnes,[2] Jim McIntyre[2] and Grant Brebner[3] departing on free transfers after being released by the club. United started pre-season with a 4–1 win at Raith Rovers before a week in Denmark with matches against Herfølge BK and FC Nordsjælland. Back in Scotland, United played Forfar at Station Park before the Evening Telegraph Challenge Cup resulted in a disappointing 1–0 defeat to rivals Dundee at Dens. The round of pre-season friendlies meant none were played at Tannadice.

United started the league campaign with a 2–1 loss to Falkirk at home on the opening day of the season and then drew at Rangers, despite being 2–0 ahead. Goals from new signings Noel Hunt and Christian Kalvenes had put United ahead but Rangers fought back to draw in Paul Le Guen's first home match as Rangers manager. David Proctor finally arrived from Inverness CT to end weeks of protracted negotiations. Successive 0–0 draws against Kilmarnock (where Lee Miller's only start was marred by an early sending-off) and Dunfermline were improved by an extra-time CIS Cup win over Airdrie United and a 3–1 win at newly promoted St. Mirren, where captain Barry Robson's 100th United match was event-filled, with two goals and a sending-off. The transfer window brought no new faces but striker Lee Miller was surprisingly allowed to leave for Aberdeen on a free transfer, although it later transpired he had been disciplined days earlier for breaking club regulations.[4] David Fernandez and Paul Ritchie were also freed[2] before the deadline, with Fernandez signing for Kilmarnock and Ritchie joining Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia.

United started September with a 3–0 defeat at home to Hibernian but their unbeaten away run continued in Inverness with a 0–0 draw against Caley Thistle. United crashed out of the CIS Cup with a 3–0 defeat away to St. Johnstone, with ex-United player Jason Scotland scoring the first goal. Further woe followed with only a draw at home to bottom-placed Motherwell. Free agent Grant Smith was recruited in late September to provide goals from midfield.

October started with a 4–0 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle and a 4–1 home defeat to Celtic, sending United to the bottom of the table. In-between these matches, former Dundee defender Lee Wilkie signed until the end of the season. a 3–1 defeat to Aberdeen at Pittodrie led Brewster to publicly admit his players were in danger of heading for the First Division [5] and the following 5–1 defeat to Falkirk did little to change this viewpoint. The low point of the season represented Brewster's final attempt to turn things around, illustrated by handing debut starts to no fewer than four players. United lost all four games in October, conceding 16 goals in the process.

On 29 October, Brewster and assistant Malky Thomson left by "mutual agreement", with widely-tipped Craig Levein appointed less than 24 hours later. Levein's first match, a televised Sunday affair at home to Rangers, was watched from the stand as he completed a touchline ban from his time at Raith; it made little difference, as United came from behind to win 2–1 and record their first home league win of the season. The following weekend, Levein matched Brewster's record of two league wins, doing so in just two matches with a 1–0 win over Kilmarnock (Noel Hunt scoring). Mark de Vries - who played under Levein at Hearts and Leicester City - made public his desire to play for United.[6] Levein's third match in charge brought a disappointing late 2–1 defeat at Dunfermline but November finished with three home wins in a row with a 1–0 win over St. Mirren. Three wins from four was enough to hand Levein a Manager of the Month award in his first month (something also achieved by Gordon Chisholm in April 2006 during his caretaker spell).

December started with a battling 2–1 defeat at Hibs but a fourth consecutive home win followed with a 3–1 victory over Inverness. In-between these games, Cowdenbeath midfielder Morgaro Gomis agreed a deal to join in the transfer window for a nominal fee. On 15 December, defenders Ross Gardiner and Lee Wilkie agreed one-month loan deals with Arbroath and Ross County respectively. United won 3–2 at Motherwell, despite having defender Christian Kalvenes sent off in the first half. A narrow 1–0 defeat to Hearts ended Levein's impressive home form but plaudits were gained again following a 2–2 draw away to Celtic, although for the second time this season, United threw away a two goal lead away to the Old Firm. 2006 ended on a high with a 3–1 win over 2nd-placed Aberdeen.

If 2006 ended on a high, then 2007 could not have begun any worse - a second 5–1 defeat to Falkirk, this time at Tannadice. New signing Morgaro Gomis made a late debut with Irishman Jon Daly becoming Levein's next signing, the big target man arriving from Hartlepool United on 5 January. The following day, Levein confirmed Grant Smith's contract would not be renewed but Sean Dillon's move from Shelbourne was eventually completed, with the Irish full-back arriving on 11 January. Prior to this, a flu epidemic had seen the Scottish Cup game against St. Mirren postponed. The after-effects may have been present as United slumped to a 5–0 defeat at Ibrox, with Daly and Dillon both making debuts. Shortly afterwards, it was announced that Inverness captain Darren Dods had signed a pre-contract agreement to join in the summer, ending a lengthy pursuit for him that had been started by former manager Craig Brewster some months previously. The re-arranged cup match against St. Mirren was full of excitement, with United throwing away a two-goal lead before David Robertson secured the win with an injury-time winner. United lost a third consecutive league match, going down 1–0 at Rugby Park, with David McCracken - who had earlier been told he would be leaving in the summer - absent. Shortly afterwards, Alan Archibald and David Proctor were also informed they were free to leave. January's final match resulted in a disappointing goalless draw at home to Dunfermline.

Alan Archibald left to rejoin Partick Thistle on deadline day, while Che Bunce - who had spent a few days at Tannadice on trial - opted to sign for Coventry City instead. United exited the Scottish Cup, losing 1-0 to Inverness. David Proctor became the second player to move with special FIFA dispensation to a third club of the season (after Javier Mascherano), moving on loan to Airdrie United. On the pitch, United finally picked up a league win in 2007, completing a fourth successive victory over St. Mirren this season, courtesy of Barry Robson's strike. The following week saw another clean sheet with a 0–0 draw at home to Hibs, only for a last-minute goal to give Inverness a 1–0 win up north. Off the pitch, there was plenty of excitement with a rumoured summer friendly against Barcelona,[7] although the excitement failed to materialise onto the pitch as United were held 1–1 at home to Motherwell. The following weekend, Craig Levein's return to Tynecastle brought much cheer with a resounding 4–0 win, including Barry Robson's first senior hat-trick. United closed out March with a credible 1–1 draw at home to Celtic, although Barry Robson's second red card of the season spoiled John Daly's first goal for the club.

April began in emphatic fashion, with a 4–2 win at Aberdeen which saw five goals in the opening seventeen minutes; Greg Cameron's first goals for United were enough to clinch victory. United entered the league split with an away match at Dunfermline and continued their winless streak that stretched back to 1997, losing 1–0. The following week, David Robertson's goal earned a 1–1 draw at home to Inverness, although it later transpired Jon Daly's knee injury was posterior cruciate ligament damage and would rule him out for several months.[8][9] On the same day, United's proposed pre-season fixture with Barcelona was confirmed,[7] before St. Mirren eased their relegation worries with a 2–0 weekend win at Tannadice. The penultimate match of the season saw a third straight loss for United, going down 2–0 at Falkirk; earlier in the week, Derek Stillie confirmed he would leave the club at the end of the season to pursue an English law career.[10] Collin Samuel was not far behind, although due to the club deciding not to offer a new contract.[11] The Falkirk defeat also saw another début for a youngster with Johnny Russell making a late substitute appearance. The season finished with a 0–0 home draw against Motherwell. It was the final game for Derek Stillie, David McCracken, Lee Mair and Collin Samuel, who each started the match.

Match results

Dundee United played a total of 42 competitive matches during the 2006–07 season,[12] as well as five pre-season friendlies, making a total of nearly fifty games played. The team finished ninth in the Scottish Premier League.

In the cup competitions, United were knocked out of the Scottish Cup at the fourth round stage, losing 1–0 at Inverness CT. The club also exited early in the League Cup, losing 3–0 away to First Division side St. Johnstone in the third round.

Legend

Win Draw Loss

All results are written with Dundee United's score first.

Bank of Scotland Premierleague

DateOpponentVenueResultPositionAttendanceScorers
29 JulyFalkirkHome1–2x6,616Robson
5 AugustRangersAway2–2x50,394Hunt, Kalvenes
12 AugustKilmarnockAway0–0x5,328
19 AugustDunfermlineHome0–0x6,171
26 AugustSt. MirrenAway3–1x4,902Robson (2), Duff
10 SeptemberHibernianHome0–3x6,387
16 SeptemberInverness CTAway0–0x3,586
23 SeptemberMotherwellHome1–1x5,036Hunt
1 OctoberHeartsAway0–4x16,849
14 OctoberCelticHome1–4x10,504Hunt
21 OctoberAberdeenAway1–3x10,747Robson
28 OctoberFalkirkAway1–5x5,386Samuel
5 NovemberRangersHome2–1x10,392Kenneth, Mair
11 NovemberKilmarnockHome1–0x5,815Hunt
18 NovemberDunfermlineAway1–2x6,129Robson
26 NovemberSt. MirrenHome1–0x5,681Hunt
2 DecemberHibernianAway1–2x14,032Own goal
9 DecemberInverness CTHome3–1x5,294Hunt (2), Robertson
16 DecemberMotherwellAway3–2x4,420Samuel, McCracken, Hunt
23 DecemberHeartsHome0–1x7,789
26 DecemberCelticAway2–2x57,343Robertson, Samuel
30 DecemberAberdeenHome3–1x12,329Samuel (2), Barry Robson
1 JanuaryFalkirkHome1–5x6,261Barry Robson
13 JanuaryRangersAway0–5x50,276
20 JanuaryKilmarnockAway0–1x4,732
27 JanuaryDunfermlineHome0–0x6,295
10 FebruarySt. MirrenAway1–0x3,849Robson
18 FebruaryHibernianHome0–0x6,453
3 MarchInverness CTAway0–1x3,901
10 MarchMotherwellHome1–1x5,183Robb
17 MarchHeartsAway4–0x17,172Robson (3), Hunt
31 MarchCelticHome1–1x11,363Daly
7 AprilAberdeenAway4 – 2x12,148Daly, Hunt, Cameron (2)
21 AprilDunfermlineAway0–1x5,131
28 AprilInverness CTHome1–1x5,273Robertson
5 MaySt. MirrenHome0–2x6,875
12 MayFalkirkAway0–2x4,161
19 MayMotherwellHome0–0x6,070

Scottish Cup

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
16 JanuarySt. MirrenHome3–24,010Robson, Kenneth, Robertson
3 FebruaryInverness CTAway0–13,402

CIS Cup

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
22 AugustAirdrie UnitedHome1–02,851Robertson
19 SeptemberSt. JohnstoneAway0–34,653

Player details

During the 2006–07 season, United used 29 different players, with a further three named as substitutes who did not make an appearance on the pitch. The table below shows the number of appearances and goals scored by each player.[13]

No. Pos Nat Player TotalBank of Scotland Premierleague Scottish Cup CIS Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK Scotland Derek Stillie 41 0 37 0 2 0 2 0
2 DF Norway Christian Kalvenes 32 1 29 1 1 0 2 0
3 DF Scotland David McCracken 36 1 33 1 2 0 1 0
4 DF Scotland Lee Wilkie 15 0 14 0 1 0 0 0
5 DF Scotland Lee Mair 19 1 18 1 1 0 0 0
6 DF Scotland Alan Archibald 19 0 16 0 1 0 2 0
7 MF Scotland Mark Kerr 40 0 36 0 2 0 2 0
9 FW Republic of Ireland Jon Daly 13 2 11 2 2 0 0 0
10 FW Republic of Ireland Noel Hunt 31 10 28 10 1 0 2 0
11 MF Scotland Barry Robson 33 12 29 11 2 1 2 0
12 DF Scotland Stuart Duff 30 1 28 1 2 0 0 0
14 MF Scotland Steven Robb 17 1 15 1 0 0 2 0
15 MF Scotland Craig Conway 34 0 30 0 2 0 2 0
16 FW Scotland Craig Brewster 4 0 3 0 0 0 1 0
16 DF Republic of Ireland Sean Dillon 16 0 15 0 1 0 0 0
17 MF Scotland Greg Cameron 27 2 25 2 0 0 2 0
18 DF Scotland Garry Kenneth 13 2 11 1 1 1 1 0
20 FW Trinidad and Tobago Collin Samuel 41 5 37 5 2 0 2 0
21 GK Scotland Euan McLean 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
23 MF Scotland William Easton 7 0 7 0 0 0 0 0
25 MF Scotland David Robertson 30 5 26 3 2 1 2 1
26 FW Scotland David Goodwillie 15 0 15 0 0 0 0 0
27 MF Scotland Gregg Burnett 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
28 DF Scotland David Proctor 14 0 12 0 0 0 2 0
29 MF France Morgaro Gomis 12 0 12 0 0 0 0 0
30 MF Scotland Grant Smith 6 0 6 0 0 0 0 0
36 DF Scotland Keith Watson 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
49 FW Scotland Johnny Russell 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0

Goalscorers

Twelve players scored for the United first team with the team scoring 44 goals in total. The top goalscorer was Barry Robson, who finished the season with 12 goals.[13]

NameLeagueCupsTotal
style="text-align:left"|Robson, BarryBarry Robson 11 1 12
style="text-align:left"|Hunt, NoelNoel Hunt 10 10
style="text-align:left"|Robertson, DavidDavid Robertson 3 2 5
style="text-align:left"|Samuel, CollinCollin Samuel 5 5
style="text-align:left"|Cameron, GregGreg Cameron 2 2
style="text-align:left"|Daly, JonJon Daly 2 2
style="text-align:left"|Kenneth, GarryGarry Kenneth 1 1 2
style="text-align:left"|Duff, StuartStuart Duff 1 1
style="text-align:left"|Kalvenes, ChristianChristian Kalvenes 1 1
style="text-align:left"|McCracken, DavidDavid McCracken 1 1
style="text-align:left"|Mair, LeeLee Mair 1 1
style="text-align:left"|Robb, StevenSteven Robb 1 1
style="text-align:left"|Own goals 1 1

Discipline

During the 2006–07 season, five United players were sent off, and twenty players received at least one yellow card. In total, the team received seven dismissals and 70 cautions.[13]

NameCautionsDismissals
style="text-align:left"|Robson, BarryBarry Robson 9Red card 2
style="text-align:left"|Hunt, NoelNoel Hunt 3Red card 2
style="text-align:left"|Wilkie, LeeLee Wilkie 7Red card 1
style="text-align:left"|Kalvenes, ChristianChristian Kalvenes 5Red card 1
style="text-align:left"|Robertson, DavidDavid Robertson 5Red card 1
style="text-align:left"|Kerr, MarkMark Kerr 8
style="text-align:left"|Daly, JonJon Daly 5
style="text-align:left"|Mair, LeeLee Mair 5
style="text-align:left"|Duff, StuartStuart Duff 4
style="text-align:left"|McCracken, DavidDavid McCracken 3
style="text-align:left"|Samuel, CollinCollin Samuel 3
style="text-align:left"|Archibald, AlanAlan Archibald 2
style="text-align:left"|Gomis, MorgaroMorgaro Gomis 2
style="text-align:left"|Kenneth, GarryGarry Kenneth 2
style="text-align:left"|Proctor, DavidDavid Proctor 2
style="text-align:left"|Brewster, CraigCraig Brewster 1
style="text-align:left"|Cameron, GregGreg Cameron 1
style="text-align:left"|Dillon, SeanSean Dillon 1
style="text-align:left"|Robb, StevenSteven Robb 1
style="text-align:left"|Smith, GrantGrant Smith 1

Transfers

In

Nine players were signed during the 2006–07 season, with a total (public) transfer cost of just under £100,000, although three transfers were undisclosed or nominal fees.

The players that joined Dundee United during the 2006–07 season, along with their previous club, are listed below.

Date Player From Fee (£)
20 June Scotland Conway, CraigCraig Conway Ayr United Undisclosed[14]
20 June Republic of Ireland Hunt, NoelNoel Hunt Dunfermline £0,050,000[15]
20 June Scotland Robb, StevenSteven Robb Dundee Free[14]
2 August Norway Kalvenes, ChristianChristian Kalvenes Brann Free[16]
10 August Scotland Proctor, DavidDavid Proctor Inverness CT £0,035,000[17]
10 October Scotland Wilkie, LeeLee Wilkie Unattached (ex-Dundee) Free[18]
1 January France Gomis, MorgaroMorgaro Gomis Cowdenbeath £0,010,000[19][20]
8 January Republic of Ireland Daly, JonJon Daly Hartlepool Undisclosed[21]
11 January Republic of Ireland Dillon, SeanSean Dillon Shelbourne £0,013,500[22][23]

Sean Dillon's fee was €20,000, which amounted to approximately £13,500 at the time of transfer

Out

No players were loaned out during the 2006–07 season, with twelve leaving the club permanently. The club received no transfer fees as all players were released.

Listed below are the players that were released during the season, along with the club that they joined. Players did not necessarily join their next club immediately.

Date Player To Fee
18 August Spain David Fernandez Kilmarnock Released[24]
21 August Scotland Ritchie, PaulPaul Ritchie Omonia Nicosia Released[25]
31 August Scotland Miller, LeeLee Miller Aberdeen Free[26]
29 October Scotland Brewster, CraigCraig Brewster Aberdeen Free[27]
31 January Scotland Archibald, AlanAlan Archibald Partick Thistle Released[28]
31 May Scotland Burnett, GreggGregg Burnett Linlithgow Rose Released[29]
31 May Scotland Callaghan, BarryBarry Callaghan Brechin City Released[29]
31 May Scotland Gardiner, RossRoss Gardiner Montrose Released[30]
31 May Scotland Mair, LeeLee Mair Aberdeen Bosman[31]
31 May Scotland McCracken, DavidDavid McCracken Wycombe Wanderers Released[32]
31 May Trinidad and Tobago Samuel, CollinCollin Samuel Toronto Released[33]
31 May Scotland Stillie, DerekDerek Stillie Gillingham Released[34]

Playing kit

Home colours
Away colours

The strips were produced for the first time by Hummel and the jerseys were sponsored for the first time by Anglian Home Improvements (who also sponsored Motherwell in the same season). For the first time, the shorts were sponsored (by Ole International).

Awards

November 2006, March 2007

See also

References

  1. ↑ "New faces welcomed to Tannadice". BBC Sport website. 20 June 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Dundee Utd's transfers in 2006–07". Soccerbase. Retrieved 22 November 2006.
  3. ↑ "Dundee Utd's transfers in 2005–06". Soccerbase. Retrieved 22 November 2006.
  4. ↑ "United’s revival goes off the rails". The Courier. 11 September 2006. Retrieved 11 September 2006.
  5. ↑ "Brewster feels strain after loss". BBC Sport website. 21 October 2006. Retrieved 22 October 2006.
  6. ↑ "United eye trialist as de Vries makes pitch". The Courier. 14 November 2006. Retrieved 16 November 2006.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Barca set for Scots summer dates". BBC Sport website. 3 March 2007. Archived from the original on 6 March 2007. Retrieved 9 March 2007.
  8. ↑ "Daly injury blow for Dundee Utd". BBC Sport website. 3 May 2007. Retrieved 3 May 2007.
  9. ↑ "Cruciate injury blow for Daly". The Courier. 3 May 2007. Retrieved 3 May 2007.
  10. ↑ "Stillie aims to find London club". BBC Sport website. 9 May 2007. Archived from the original on 26 May 2007. Retrieved 16 May 2007.
  11. ↑ "Visa blow for Samuel". The Courier. 16 May 2007. Archived from the original on 24 May 2007. Retrieved 16 May 2007.
  12. ↑ "2006–07 - First Team Fixtures & Results". Dundee United F.C. Archived from the original on 11 November 2007. Retrieved 22 November 2007.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "Dundee Utd 2006–07 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 November 2007.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "New faces welcomed to Tannadice". BBC Sport website. 20 June 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
  15. ↑ "United agree Hunt fee with Pars". BBC Sport website. 9 June 2006. Retrieved 23 November 2007.
  16. ↑ "Kalvenes signs for Dundee United". BBC Sport website. 2 August 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
  17. ↑ "Dundee Utd finally take Proctor". BBC Sport website. 11 August 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
  18. ↑ "Wilkie signs Dundee United deal". BBC Sport website. 10 October 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
  19. ↑ "Gomis makes Dundee United switch". BBC Sport website. 1 January 2007. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
  20. ↑ "Levein makes it a perfect 10". The Courier. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
  21. ↑ "Dundee Utd sign Hartlepool's Daly". BBC Sport website. 8 January 2007. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
  22. ↑ "Dillon completes Dundee Utd move". BBC Sport website. 11 January 2007. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
  23. ↑ "SPL cashes in on Ireland’s finest". elevenaside.com. 11 January 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2008.
  24. ↑ "Kilmarnock wrap up Fernandez deal". BBC Sport website. 18 August 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
  25. ↑ "Ritchie Tannadice exit confirmed". BBC Sport website. 21 August 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
  26. ↑ "Dons take Miller from Dundee Utd". BBC Sport website. 31 August 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
  27. ↑ "Brewster ousted as Tannadice boss". BBC Sport website. 29 October 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
  28. ↑ "Archibald makes return to Firhill". BBC Sport website. 31 January 2007. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Contract News". Dundee United F.C. 30 March 2007. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2007.
  30. ↑ "SPL ins and outs". BBC Sport website. 31 August 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2007.
  31. ↑ "Mair completes Pittodrie switch". BBC Sport website. 1 May 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2007.
  32. ↑ "Dundee Utd tell McCracken to go". BBC Sport website. 19 January 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2007.
  33. ↑ "Levein hoping to replace quartet". BBC Sport website. 18 May 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2007.
  34. ↑ "Stillie aims to find London club". BBC Sport website. 9 May 2007. Archived from the original on 26 May 2007. Retrieved 16 May 2007.

External links