Rare photos of Dundee United in the 70s show packed Tannadice stands and a club on the rise

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By Gbam Godwin

Rare photos of Dundee United in the 70s show packed Tannadice stands and a club on the rise.

Photos from the DC Thomson archive take us back through the turnstiles at Tannadice Park as Jim McLean gradually began to improve the club’s fortunes.
Graeme Strachan Return to Dundee United’s Tannadice Park in the 1970s. These overlooked photographs shed light on life on and off the pitch during the decade Jim McLean departed Dens Park to take over as Tangerines manager.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Our gallery captures this special occasion, including the opening of the social club, public jogging, a gala day, and the turning off of the lights during the three-day week.

Past heroes such as Jerry Kerr, Walter Smith, Andy Grey, Doug Smith, and Graeme Payne appear alongside gravel-voiced great Rod Stewart.

Who will you recognise?

Relive life at Tannadice during this memorable decade.

Club shop

Dundee United's souvenir shop in the 1970s, showing a white building with four glass windows and Tannadice Souvenir Shop printed along the top.
The front of the shop, which sold United merchandise. Image: DC Thomson.

In July 1970, the Tannadice souvenir shop sold the first tangerine kit.

The shop relocated to the Keiller Centre in the 1980s.

Dundee United Cup

Dundee United manager Jerry Kerr hands over a cup to blond-haired Kirkton High School captain Paul Tovey. Other members of the team and young pupils are in the background.
Jerry Kerr does the honours on the pitch in 1971. Image: DC Thomson.

Jerry Kerr, the Tangerines manager, presents the Dundee United Cup to Kirkton High School captain Paul Tovey in April 1971. Kirkton defeated Stobswell 4-2 after extra time in the final at Tannadice.

End of an era

The Dundee United squad photograph in 1971.
The United team group before the start of the season. Image: DC Thomson.

Jerry Kerr poses with his team for the usual shot in August 1971. Kerr stepped down in December and was succeeded by Jim McLean.

Social club

The lounge below the grandstand at Tannadice, with padded seats, tables and stools and sloping glass windows looking out on to the pitch.
The lounge below the grandstand at Tannadice. Image: DC Thomson.

In August 1971, the pigeon roost underneath the stand at Tannadice was turned into the offices of the newly created Dundee United Social Club.

The rooms took use of the previously dead area beneath the straight section of the stand.

Scottish Cup

A shot from on high of a Scottish Cup tie between Dundee United and Aberdeen at Tannadice in 1972. There is a large crowd watching the action from the open terracing and main grandstand.
Dundee United versus Aberdeen at Tannadice. Image: DC Thomson.

A view of Tannadice Park during a Scottish Cup match vs Aberdeen.

United suffered a 4-0 defeat in February 1972. There were 12,974 in attendance.

Who ate all the pies?

Stewart Coutts takes part in a pie-eating contest at Tannadice, which he won. He is about to devour one pie and has 11 others piled up and ready in front of him.

On New Year’s Day, 1973, Dundee United sponsored a pie-eating competition.

United defeated St. Johnstone 4-1. Stewart Coutts won the pie competition.

Texaco Cup

Players Andy Gray and Graeme Payne and manager Jim McLean beside a big generator at Tannadice in 1973. It was there to power the floodlights during the energy crisis in December 1973.
The players and manager before the big cup game. Image: DC Thomson.

Andy Grey, Graeme Payne, and Jim McLean stand near a diesel generator that powered the floodlights during the Texaco Cup semi-final in December 1973.

It aimed to get around a ban on electric lights enforced amid the energy crisis. United defeated Newcastle United 2-0 in the first leg.

Andy Gray

Striker Andy Gray sits down on a low wall as he ties a piece of protective equipment, which looks a bit like a plastic, shoe-shaped block, to his training shoe as he returns from a cartilage operation.
Gray joined United in May 1973. Image: DC Thomson.

Andy Grey sat down and tied the laces of some protective boots after recovering from a cartilage operation in February 1974.

Grey scored 47 goals in 93 games prior to joining Aston Villa for £110,000 in 1975.

Doug Houston

Doug Houston wears a Dundee United training top and shorts as he jumps in the air while holding a dumbbell in each hand.
Houston working out at Tannadice. Image: DC Thomson.

Doug Houston is weight training at Tannadice in July 1974.

Houston moved to United from Rangers for £10,000. He left United to play part-time for St Johnstone in 1977.

Police dogs

A big crowd watches the game between Dundee United and Celtic in 1975, standing on the steep terracing at Tannadice Park. There is a large gap between the two sets of supporters with police with dogs patrolling the no man's land.
There were 11,846 fans at the game. Image: DC Thomson.

In November 1975, police with dogs patrolled the “no man’s land” between Dundee United and Celtic fans at Tannadice during a league game.

Celtic won the game 3-1.

Christmas football

A lone policeman walks along the track at Tannadice in December 1975. The pitch is empty but the terracing is packed with supporters. The league game took place a few days after Christmas. It finished 0-0.
There were 13,011 fans at Tannadice against Rangers. Image: DC Thomson.

A police officer walks past Rangers supporters at Tannadice in December 1975. The league game occurred a few days after Christmas.

It ended 0-0.

Jim Gibb

A groundsman uses a garden fork as he works on the Tannadice pitch. The grass looks frozen solid with some pools of water. Amazingly the game went ahead.
The pitch was like a skating rink before Christmas. Image: DC Thomson.

Groundsman Jim Gibb attempted to break through the ice in December 1976.

The Christmas game against Hearts finished 1-1.

Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart at Tannadice to watch Celtic play United in 1977. The singer is among a group of men wearing hats, scarfs and overcoats on what looks like a chilly day.
Rod left Tannadice to perform his second night at the Caird Hall. Image: DC Thomson.

In January 1977, singer Rod Stewart was at Tannadice to witness Celtic take on United.

He was in town to perform two nights at Caird Hall. Johnny Doyle scored a late winner for Celtic.

Heavy snow

Snow covers the road looking down towards Tannadice Park. A few cars, including a VW Beetle, are parked at the side of the road and a tractor can be seen further down the street as snow continues to fall.
Snow outside Tannadice Park. Image: DC Thomson.

In January 1977, Dundee was pummelling by heavy snow.

The whiteout conditions across the country caused scores of games to be cancelled.

Snow clearing

Players join in the effort to clear the pitch of thick snow. Two tractors have been brought in to help the operation and a bogey filled with snow is sitting on the pitch,
The players joined workmen to clear away the snow. Image: DC Thomson.
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In January 1977, Dundee United players and a maintenance crew cleared snow from the Tannadice pitch before of a match against Partick Thistle.

The park was cleared of four inches of snow, but to no use.

Picture perfect

A smiling Jim McLean stands beside his players for the Dundee United squad photograph in 1977. They are pictured in front of the main stand.
Dundee United posing for a team photograph. Image: DC Thomson.

In August 1977, Dundee United lined up for their traditional team photograph. Jim McLean even managed to smile.

United finished the league season in third position.

Doug Smith

Doug Smith in the dressing room with team-mates before his testimonial match. The players are wearing all white Adidas strips.
Doug Smith alongside his team-mates in the dressing room. Image: DC Thomson.

Doug Smith’s XI was put together for the former United defender, director, and chairman’s testimonial game in August 1977.

His brother Dave was on the team, along with certain United legends and players from other clubs, notably the Old Firm.

Doug, who had only 17 goals in 18 years at Tannadice, scored in the 5-4 loss to Dundee United, as is traditional.

Paul Hegarty

Defender Paul Hegarty holds a large shield presented to him as player of the month. He is with the two young fans who handed it over.
Hegarty won the award for his August performances. Image: DC Thomson.

In September 1977, Paul Hegarty was named Player of the Month by the Dundee United Travel Club prior to a League Cup match against Partick Thistle.

Hegarty had been brilliant in his new defensive role. Two young admirers were chosen from the audience to deliver the presentation.

Walter and Andy

Scotland youth team coaches Walter Smith and Andy Roxburgh stand side by side. Both are wearing Scotland tracksuit tops with the Umbro diamond design on the sleeves and a large SFA badge on the chest.
Smith and Roxburgh before the game at Tannadice. Image: DC Thomson.

In March 1978, Walter Smith and Andy Roxburgh coached Scotland’s young team in a friendly against Dundee United.

Scotland was preparing for the European Under-18 Championships in Poland. Smith was also a coach for the Terrors.

Public jogging

Two teenage girls run round the track at Tannadice.
The girls running along the track at Tannadice. Image: DC Thomson.

Valerie Husband and Denise Duncanson of Pentland Crescent participated in a public running session at Tannadice in May 1978.

Was this an annual event?

Pay the piper

Tannadice prices in 1979 painted directly on to the outside of the stadium wall beside the turnstiles.
How much did it cost to watch United? Image: DC Thomson.

The turnstiles at Tannadice in February 1979, with admittance costs displayed on the brick wall.

Adults paid £1.50, while juniors paid 75p. The average home league attendance for the season was 11,537.

Forfarshire Cup

Paul Hegarty rises high to win a header in a Forfarshire Cup game against Dundee. Part of the 12,170 crowd is in the background.
Paul Hegarty winning a header against Dundee. Image: DC Thomson.

Action from the Forfarshire Cup semi-finals vs Dundee in May 1979. A audience of 12,170 people attended the 2-2 draw.

Dundee won the penalty shootout 3-2, resulting in a pitch invasion.

Heading to Japan

Players stand in front of a bus before heading to the airport from Tannadice for a competition in Japan. Boss Jim McLean is standing on the bus step.
The United players and Jim McLean before leaving Tannadice. Image: DC Thomson.

In May 1979, the United squad boarded a bus bound for the airport.

They advanced to the final of the Japan Cup, but were defeated by a Tottenham team that contained World Cup winners Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa.

Goalkeeper Hamish McAlpine was sent home after a disagreement with Jim McLean.

Ministers versus Butchers

Players taking part in a charity game between ministers ands butchers pretend to seek divine intervention in front of the referee. One player is kneeling on the pitch while raising his arms to the heavens as the ref looks over him.
The match raised money for local charities. Image: DC Thomson.

In April 1979, World Cup referee John Gordon officiated a challenge match between ministers and butchers at Tannadice.

Dundee Round Table organised the match. Gilbert Grossett was among the butchers who participated.

Gala Day

A large crowd of people on the pitch at a gala day celebrating United's League Cup win over Aberdeen. Some are waving scarfs and flags.
United fans were in fine voice at the gala day. Image: DC Thomson.

Tannadice had a bustling scene in December 1979. A gala day was held to celebrate United’s League Cup victory over Aberdeen.

It was Jim McLean’s first major trophy as United’s manager. This is the final photograph from our 1970s Tannadice gallery.

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