Part 11: The history of Dundee United FC, from the birth of the club in the Spring of 1909 to the present day….
A dramatic end to the 2004/05 season saw Dundee United once again battling against relegation, with 4 clubs going into the last match of the season with a chance of being relegated.
Dundee United travelled to Inverness Caley Thistle, where a 10 minute delay to kick-off meant that the club already knew its fate before the final whistle.
With the score still 0-0, news filtered through from Almondvale that Livingston had beaten Dundee 1-0, which would mean United`s rivals would plunge into the 1st division on goal difference.
However, just seconds later, United were awarded a 82nd minute penalty and Barry Robson scored to give Gordon Chisholm`s side a 1-0 win to secure the clubs SPL status for another season.
The bottom of the SPL league table ended:
Dundee United, 36 points, -18 goal difference
Livingston, 35 points, -27 goal difference
Dunfermline, 34 points, -26 goal difference
Dundee, 33 points, -34 goal difference.
However, many supporters believe that Dundee United`s league survival was a direct result of the clubs Scottish Cup run – especially the semi-final comeback against Hibernian when 2 goals in 3 minutes from Jim McIntyre and Collin Samuel ended in a 2-1 win.
At that stage of the season, Dundee United were looking in serious danger of going down, without a league win in 2months – which incidentally was a 2-0 victory over relegation rivals Livingston at Almondvale.
Although, after the 2-1 semi final win on the 9th of April 2004, Dundee United secured 11 points in their remaining 6 league matches, which included a 2-1 win over Dundee at Dens Park.
Mark Wilson had put Dundee United infront in the 52nd minute, but a 64th minute penalty from Steven Lovell leveled proceedings a 1-1, but Jim McIntyre then scored a 70th minute strike to give United a 2-1 win.
After avoiding relegation, much was expected from the club in the Scottish Cup final against Celtic, but an 11th minute Alan Thompson freekick, squeezed past Tony Bullock to give the Celts a 1-0 win.
It was the 8th time Dundee United have reached the final of the Scottish Cup, but the only time they have lifted the trophy was in 1994 when Craig Brewster scored in a 1-0 win over Rangers.
Overall, United’s tally of success over the past quarter of a century had been amazing – both at home and in Europe – and the club continues to grow both on and off the field, looking forward to the challenge of the new millennium and a new era in Scottish Football…….
Click here to see the ‘Arab History’ archive
we should have beaten celtic that day, but the players looked like they didnt want it enough. the united supporters that day were fantastic