Sean Dillon dedicated United’s cup success to their late chairman Eddie Thompson.
Dillon a stand-out, stand-in at left-back against County revealed that running through the celebrations was a sadness that the man who became Mr United wasn’t around to see them end their wait for silverware after dying of cancer 19 months ago.
“Eddie Thompson was an inspirational figure about the club,” said the Irishman. “And he’d have been delighted to have seen us win the cup.
“It would be nice to think he was looking down on Hampden with a smile on his face.
“Everyone about Tannadice held him in such high regard because of what he’d done for United and how much he cared.
“The memory of him that sticks out for me was after we lost the CIS Cup final against Rangers.
“I hadn’t played and wasn’t at all happy about that. Because of my own situation I wasn’t feeling as disappointed as the lads who’d been involved.
“But when I saw him coming in crying, I felt awful.
“He knew that he didn’t have long to go and was desperate for the club to be successful.
“Even now when he isn’t around you are still reminded of him.
“You go into the boardroom and his picture is there. And days like Saturday you can’t help but think about him.
“So I’m delighted for the Thompson family, Mrs Thompson and the current chairman.
“I’m sure he’d have liked nothing better than to have his father there sitting alongside him watching us lift the cup.”