A new film charting the success of Jim McLean’s legendary Dundee United side is to be produced.
Tannadice 87 will focus on the Tangerine’s memorable 1987 European adventure, which saw them reach the UEFA Cup Final.
Though they were eventually pipped by Swedish side Gothenburg over a two legged affair, United saw off continental giants Barcelona and Borussia Mönchengladbach on their way to the final.
The match with Gothenburg, which remains United’s only European final to date, ended 2-1 in favour of the Swedes.
Watched by a TV audience of over 70 million, the final appearance was the highlight of a hugely successful spell for the Tannadice club.
Though United’s Euro adventure ultimately ended in heartache, the positive contribution of thousands of Arabs was recognised with the creation of the first ever FIFA Fair Play Award — launched to herald positive sporting behaviour on the part of fans.
Now, 30 years on, a new documentary charting United’s journey from 1983 Scottish champions to their 1987 final appearance will be shown.
“Tannadice 87”, created by the award-winning team behind documentaries on Scottish football heroes Jock Stein and Jim Baxter, will air on BBC Alba in early summer.
Produced by Govan-based Purple TV, filming for the documentary is taking place over the next three days.
Both the testimony of players involved in United’s Euro run and “emotive drama scenes” will be used to create what producers believe will be a “popular culture film” which showcases “a snapshot of one of the most dynamic periods in the city of Dundee’s history”.
* For more on this story see Thursday’s Courier, also available as a digital edition.
