Hundreds of fans gathered at Tannadice as legends of Dundee United officially unveiled a new book documenting the club’s historic 1986-87 UEFA Cup campaign.
The Final Countdown is compiled of Courier newspaper articles from the Tangerines’ road to the European final, and was put together by our online editor Richard Rooney and graphic designer Roland Proctor.
Former players Dave Narey, Paul Hegarty, John Holt, Dave Bowman and Jim McInally all appeared at United’s club shop as hundreds of fans turned up to grab a signed copy of the book.
The launch coincides with the 30-year anniversary of the UEFA Cup campaign, during which United beat football heavyweights Barcelona and Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Despite ultimately missing out on silverware after losing to IFK Göteborg in the final, the remarkable story of United’s 1986-87 campaign left a lasting legacy on a generation of supporters.
Speaking at the event, former United skipper Paul Hegarty said: “That season was massive. There was a hive of activity. It was one of these ones (where) it was massive for the time and it is still massive 30 years later.
“If you ask the players there is still massive disappointment because that is what you are here for, to win games and obviously win trophies. But looking overall and looking at the bigger picture, it was great how we handled it even though we lost the game.”
Former United midfielder, David Bowman, added: “It’s not really until you see either from the book or the TV documentary the other night, how big it actually was. When you’re playing in it you’re probably wrapped up in it a bit.
“When you get the book and flip through some of that it really does take you back. It’s a great memento for us.”
Former Tangerines fullback, John Holt, said: “The way we played against Barcelona, the way we played against Borussia, it suited the European style of football and I think personally (manager) Jim McLean was before his day.”
United fan, Allan Petrie, was first in line to get his copy of The Final Countdown signed.
The 46-year-old said: “I followed them right throughout that whole season, went to all their games, it was one of the best teams I’ve ever, ever seen.
“It was electric. The fans were the other team member. The passion was there, the heart was there.”
As well as being on sale from Dundee United’s club shop, the book, which costs £14.99, is on sale at the reception area at DC Thomson’s Meadowside offices and can be ordered online from www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk.
