Promotion success

In April 1960, Tannadice Park hosted the league’s final game of the season.

St Johnstone had already won the Scottish Second Division title, thus United needed to defeat Berwick Rangers to be promoted with them.

Hamilton were even on points, although United had a higher goal average.

Tommy Campbell’s strike from a Bobby Norris cross after just eight minutes was the game’s only goal, and it was enough to propel them into the first division.

United fans in the pre-blanket radio coverage era had a nerve-racking moment at the finish of the game as Berwick pushed for the equaliser.

They didn’t need to worry, though.

In the other game, Hamilton lost 2-1 against Dumbarton.

Public trial game

An open trial game was staged at Tannadice in August 1960.

The United regulars overcame the trialists 5-0, with Jim Irvine scoring a hat-trick and Dennis Gillespie and Tommy Neilson adding goals.

The pipe smokingJerry Kerr was United’s manager.

How the old ground looked

In January 1961, a window on Sandeman Street offered a view of Tannadice Park.

It was captured during a 3-0 victory over Partick Thistle.

Scottish Cup clash

United fans attend the Scottish Cup match against St Mirren in February 1961.

Dennis Gillespie, the star striker, ruptured a tiny blood artery in his foot after 15 minutes.

He left, and the Saints won 1-0.

The final innings

United declared in October 1960 that at the end of the season, the south stand will be rebuilt and the pavilion demolished.

Both arrangements have been in place since the club’s formation in 1909.

Dressing room

United players inspect the location of their new dressing room in July 1961.

It would be built under the grandstand and the players changed in a portable building behind the Arklay Street goal during construction work.

Jerry Kerr

Manager Jerry Kerr was a master joiner to trade.

He was clerk of works in charge of all building work.

Construction work started during the 1961-62 season on the new grandstand.

 

Supporters outside Tannadice before a game against Rangers in November 1961.

Building materials are prominent in the photo.

Rangers won 3-2.

Players help out with construction

Dennis Gillespie and Jimmy Briggs were obviously happy at work in their spare-time roles of acting groundsmen at Tannadice in May 1962.

Work had also started to build new concrete terracing at Sandeman Street.

New Tannadice terracing

The new concrete terracing under construction in July 1962.

There was no roof for fans standing there until 1980.

Grandstand

The newly constructed grandstand, which opened its doors in August 1962, extended from the side of the Arklay Street goal to the halfway line.

Its design was inspired by the cantilever structure of Sheffield Wednesday.

Tickets for a seat were priced at 5/6, equivalent to 27.5p.

Free view

Supporters get a free view of the Dundee derby in August 1962.

Were they Dees or Arabs?

United won the League Cup sectional tie 3-2.

Wattie Carlyle got a hat-trick.

Birth of the Arabs?

During the Big Freeze in January 1963, United went to great lengths to keep the surface playable for their Scottish Cup match against Albion Rovers.

William Briggs & Sons used a tar-burner to melt the Tannadice ice sheet, which also burned up all of the grass before spreading sand over the pitch.

United triumphed 3-0 in front of a 12,000-strong crowd and performed so effectively on the sandy field that a newspaper report stated they “took to the sand like Arabs.”

Training session

The United players were running round the Tannadice track in July 1964.

Among the standout performers were Jimmy Briggs and Doug Smith.

Francis Munro

Francis Munro at Tannadice after breaking into the first-team in August 1964.

Munro scored 16 goals in 35 games the following year and was snapped up by Aberdeen before joining Wolves in 1968.

Finn Dossing

In December 1964, Andy Dickson and Jerry Kerr welcomed Finn Dossing.

 

He had an immediate impact for United, scoring in 13 straight outings.

Dossing went on to play 115 games for United, scoring 76 times.

Diggers are back

Work taking place to install terracing below the grandstand in July 1965.

Jerry Kerr’s side finished the 1965-66 season in fifth place and qualified for Europe.

Derby delight

 

Action from the Dundee derby at Tannadice in January 1966.

United won the game 2-1.

There were 21,325 fans there.

European dream

The United team line up in August 1966 before a landmark season.

The team competed in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

In the middle of the back row is a young Hamish McAlpine.

Beating Barcelona

A handshake before the second round match versus Barcelona in November 1966.

United led 2-1 after the first match at the Nou Camp.

The event drew a total of 28,000 attendees.

Ian Mitchell opened the scoring in the 18th minute.

Billy Hainey doubled his team’s advantage with a 30-yard screamer.

United won 4-1 on aggregate.

They were drawn against Juventus in the next round.

The Old Lady

Action from the March 1967 game against Juventus.

The home team triumphed thanks to a single goal from Finn Dossing.

It wasn’t enough, and they lost 3-1 on aggregate.

St Johnstone

United fans at the New Year’s Day game against St Johnstone in January 1969.

There were 9,976 there.

United won 4-2.

Newcastle United

United re-entered the Inter-City Fairs Cup in September 1969.

 

Newcastle defeated the home side 2-1 in the opening leg.

The Magpies advanced after winning the home leg by one goal in October.

This is the final image from our Tannadice 1960s gallery.

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