|  A PASSION FOR SURVIVAL Dundee United FC, A Comprehensive History 1909-1945
This is the first in the series of three books planned to tell the full story of Dundee United FC. A PASSION FOR SURVIVAL begins with the pre-history of the club, briefly outlining the 30 years prior to the formation of Dundee Hibernian in 1909. The early years at Tannadice Park held out great promise, despite a brief flirtation with extinction in 1912. The club were holding their own in the Scottish League Second Division and just prior to the outbreak of World War 1, they were beginning to make their mark. The war brought an end to the progress of the early years and Dundee Hibs played throughout the years of the conflict, emerging to face a period in the wilderness of Scottish football. The club almost disbanded twice in the early 1920s but survived to become an established Scottish League side in 1923. At the same time, Dundee Hibernian changed its name to Dundee United and a formidable new manager, Jimmy Brownlie .jpg) was in place, supported by a progressive board of directors. Promotion to the Scottish League First Division was achieved three times over the next few years but Dundee United were unable to gain a firm foothold in the top flight. By the early 1930s they were consigned to the lower division for a lengthy period. Troubled times followed again and Dundee United actually resigned from the Scottish League in 1934 only to be resurrected at the eleventh hour. Financial problems were the curse of the club and in 1937 they were again in dire straits and in danger of winding up. Rescued yet again, Dundee United went on to compete throughout World War 2 and after 1945 began a steady climb to real success. A PASSION FOR SURVIVAL tells the story of Dundee United FC from 1909 to 1945 in detail and readers will find a few surprises within its pages. The book also contains around 240 photographs, most of which have not been seen for over 60 years. |
| | THE RISE OF THE TERRORS 
THE RISE OF THE TERRORS Dundee United FC, A Comprehensive History 1945-1979
This is the second book in the series and picks up in 1945 just after the end of World War 2. THE RISE OF THE TERRORS begins with a summary of the preceding 30 years and a reminder of how close Dundee United came to extinction on several occasions. The initial post war years did not bring an immediate change in fortunes and the late 1940s were a time of transition. Dundee United went through the 1950s in the Second Division and rarely looked like promotion candidates. Indeed, at the end of 1958-59 the Club were in second bottom place. However, Jerry Kerr took charge of the team in the summer of 1959 and at the end of the next campaign promotion was achieved. Another significant factor in the success of the Club was the introduction of Taypools by the Dundee United Sportsmen's Club and over the next two decades substantial sums of money were donated to Dundee United FC. The cash helped to redevelop Tannadice and pay transfer fees. Under the guidance of Jerry Kerr through the 1960s Dundee United never looked back. They became a force to be reckoned with in Scottish football and by 1966 the Club .JPG)
was also known on the continent after historic home and away victories over Barcelona in the UEFA Cup. By the end of the decade, Dundee United were rarely out of the top half of the First Division.
In the early 1970s, the managerial reigns were passed to Jim McLean and he continued the work started by Jerry Kerr. The new Manager improved Dundee United further with the purchase of experience players and he added a new dimension with an inovative youth development programme. By 1974, he had taken Dundee United to their first ever Scottish Cup final and the Club became regulars in European competition by the end of the decade. Silverware was not far off!
THE RISE OF THE TERRORS continues the story of Dundee United FC from 1945 to 1979 in detail. Readers will also find a few revelations within its pages. |
| | THE SHED GO MARCHING ON 
THE SHED GO MARCHING ON Dundee United FC, A Comprehensive History 1945-1979
This is the final book in the series of three, completing the full story of Dundee United FC. THE SHED GO MARCHING ON picks up the story in season 1979-80, just as Dundee United were about to enter a period of success. The League Cup came to Tannadice in December 1979, the Club's first major silverware. Twelve months later the same trophy was won again and within a couple of seasons United had become Scottish League Champions. All through the 1980s and early 1990s the Terrors were in cup finals regularly. European football had also been on the fixture card almost every season and after reaching a European Cup semi final, United contested the 1987 UEFA Cup final. The Scottish Cup proved elusive until 1994 when United completed the full set of domestic honours. However, just one year after that Scottish Cup success, United faced relegation but recovered to return to the top flight in just one season. Since then football has been irrevocably changed with new ruels on player transfers and huge influence exerted by outside forces, particularly the television companies. The playing field may have been a bit uneven in the past but in recent times it has become severely tilted in favour of the big clubs. The Board at Dundee United strive to keep the Club at the forefront in difficult times and in the last three years of the 2000s, significant improvement has been witnessed. The Club celebrates its centenary in 2009-10 and despite losing their Manager to the Scotland post United go forward with optomism. |
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