For various reasons the website wasn't updated much this year so
no match reports were written.
But what a season it was. A real roller-coaster with low times that looked like
they would never end, then things started to turn round but it still looked like
it wouldn't be enough. Then came THAT day in Perth. Those we were there will
never forget the atmosphere and passion generated by the massive support and of
course the fighting spirit of the team. It was one of the days that will
go down in history when we were all Proud to be Arabs.
Some memories of the season:
Two games in and Luggy decided he'd had enough. He was replaced by Alex
Smith, a decision which wasn't exactly greeted with dancing in the streets at
the time, but has proved to be the best thing to happen to United in years. He
still had a lot do do however, as the team was still full of unknown foreigners
who had no idea of what playing for Dundee United is all about. The low point
was surely the run of defeats by Aberdeen, Rangers and Hearts. The Aberdeen and
Hearts games were at Tannadice and the unrest amongst the support was
unbelievable. The atmosphere was poisonous and showed no signs of improving. The
Huns game was a joke, as our collection of unknown, unheard-of misfits caved in.
Watching it on SKY in a Hun-filled bar on holiday was simply embarrassing.
The Hearts game saw the real turning point however as the Chairman was (do I
still need to say allegedly??) involved in an unsavoury incident with a BBC
reporter which led to his immediate resignation. Smithy got to work on clearing
out the deadwood and the next week we went to Celtic Park and turned in a
credible performance. Great signings were made - Lauchlan, Miller and Lilley.
Youngsters were blooded - McCunnie and Gallacher. At last we were beginning to
look like a team, although still anchored at the bottom.
The Hibs game proved to be another turning point in its own way. 7 minutes into
injury time the softest penalty ever awarded was given to Hibs. They scored, and
the sense of injustice was massive. Alan Combe paid the price, going mental at
the linesman and being sent off, with the result he lost his place in goal and
never recovered it.
The injustice seemed to pull the players together, and the fans. It was very
different United who returned from the winter break and ripped Dundee apart at
Dens, with the 3-2 scoreline flattering Dundee. Things improved continually,
with more wins under the belt and St Mirren slowly being reeled in. A
Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Celtic was at least made bearable by the way
United fans sang from start to finish, even in defeat, and the realisation that
our real battle was the League not the Cup.
Into the post-split games and a huge travelling support went to Love Street to
be sickened when, after dominating the game, a needless penalty was conceded.
Then losing a last-minute goal set the nerves on edge for the final
run-in.
Back to back wins against Motherwell and Dunfermline steadied things again and
set us up for the 2nd last game of the season at MacDiarmid. A win and we were
safe.....easy! So we thought but as we went 2-0 down and heard that St Mirren
were winning, things looked bleak. The second-half fight-back with goals from
Miller (after missing a penalty!), Easton, then with 2 minutes to go, Lilley,
will never be forgotten by anyone who was there. The scenes of pure emotion as
the final whistle went were incredible - who says it's only a game!
One of the happiest Arabs that day was the boy who managed to get Jim
Lauchlan's sweaty muddy top off him then did a lap of honour in front of the
Saints fans. Then wore it most of the weekend including in Tescos where his 13
year old daughter said "Dad that is manky you're giving me a minter."
I should know - I was that Arab.
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