A Passion for Survival

Extract from Section 1 of A Passion for Survival

1923-24

A New Outlook

Some newspapers still listed Dundee Hibernian playing away at Dumbarton on 27th October but it was in fact the first match for Dundee United. They played poorly and the loss of three goals without reply gave the Club an inauspicious start. Following the match against Dumbarton it became known that George Hannah was unwell and would be out of the team for some time (indeed he would never play again) and United were in dire need of a replacement outside left. The matter came up during a conversation between United and Dundee officials and, unprompted, Dundee offered former Arniston Rangers player Jimmy Walker on loan until the end of the season. Walker was at first reluctant but after discussion he agreed to move. Bobby Bauld from Raith Rovers also signed in time for United’s first home game on 3rd November 1923 in which the “Tannadice Parkers” recorded a 3-2 win over St Bernard’s. It was a hard won two points with the visitors taking a two goal lead before Walker and Bauld levelled the match and finally Mackie netted the winner.

A good run of results followed, with a 0-0 draw at Forfar Athletic and a narrow 1-0 win at Tannadice against Lochgelly United. O’Kane scored the only goal of that game, running half the length of the pitch and then chipping the ball over the advancing keeper. Just prior to beating Broxburn United 2-1, it was announced that Cottingham and McEwan had been freed, as neither had achieved the standard that Manager, Jimmy Brownlie was looking for. Archie Taylor, who had played with Dundee Hibs and Dundee, where he had also been assistant trainer, joined United as the new trainer on the same day that United picked up another valuable away point at Armadale in a 1-1 draw.

The next three games produced only one point from a goalless draw at home to Bo’ness and exposed United’s lack of a centre forward capable of taking the chances that were certainly being created. The Manager decided to release Jimmy Mackie near the end of December and he signed for King’s Park. He was replaced by Tommy Simpson from Osborne, who would prove to be one of the best signings of the 1920s.

Extract from Section 2 of A Passion for Survival

1923-24 Player Profiles

Bobby Bauld was an inside forward who had a trial with

Spurs before signing for Raith Rovers where he then spent three years. He was acquired from the Kirkcaldy side for a fee of £100 and was the first player signed after the Club became Dundee United. Bobby made a scoring debut against St Bernard’s in a Scottish League match on 3rd November 1923. A regular in the side for two seasons, he was one of the promotion winning squad of 1924-25 and one of only four players retained at the end of that campaign to face the challenge of First Division football. He was in the line up when Dundee United made their debut in the top flight of Scottish football on 25th August 1925 against Raith Rovers. United lasted just two seasons in Division One and Bobby, by then playing at left half, was rarely out of the side. However, he did not relish the prospect of playing in the lower league again when the Club were relegated in April 1927. Initially offered a deal in the United States where he would have gone for no fee, he was eventually sold to Bradford City for £350. He remained there for seven years and then moved to Chesterfield.

Frank Bridgeford was the goalkeeper signed from Forfar Celtic to fill the vacancy left when Jimmy Brownlie decided to end his playing days. He made his first appearance for

United as a trialist against Bo’ness in the Scottish League on 15th March 1924 and signed shortly afterwards. During season 1924-25 he was the first choice keeper in the side that won promotion to the First Division, missing just one league match. However, it appears that he was not considered up to the challenge of top flight football and was released in April 1925.

Jimmy Russell was a centre forward, signed from Rosslyn Juniors. He made his first appearance for United scoring twice as a trialist against Armadale on 12th January 1924 in a Scottish League match. Apparently the answer to the Club’s centre forward problem, he was then signed but did not achieve what was expected. He was retained for the next league campaign but could not hold down a first team place and was allowed on loan to Third Lanark in November for a short spell. He returned to Tannadice a few weeks later but was released in April 1925. He then spent some time with Raith Rovers and then returned to the junior ranks with St Andrews United.

Extract from Section 3 of A Passion for Survival

League Scottish Cup League Cup Other Comp F'fshire Cup Other games

Debut	Name	App	Gls	App	Gls	App	Gls	App	Gls	App	Gls	App	Gls
30-Apr-1921	Adams G	12										3
12-Aug-1944	Adamson J							8		1		1
16-Aug-1941	Adamson R							37
28-Aug-1937	Adamson T	30	2	2	1			33		7		2
27-Dec-1919	Aimer G							3		5	1	43	2