30th anniversary: The Dundee United squad that became legends

The Tele looks at the players who made up the 1983 squad that won the league title and became Tannadice legends.

Hamish McAlpine

So good, the late Michael Marra penned “Hamish the Goalie” in his honour.

The title win was the highlight of a 20-year Tannadice career and at 35 he was the old man of the team. Apps 36.

Dave Narey

The stylish Dundonian is regarded by many as the best to pull on a United jersey. Like Hegarty, he won two League Cups with United as well as adding a third in a short sppell at Raith Rovers. Apps 36.

Davie Dodds

The other half of United’s striking duo and another of the local boys in the team. Dodds was often under-rated but his goals were vital to the league success and he was the perfect partner for Sturrock. Apps 36.

Graham Payne

Always a fans’ favourite, he spent much of the league-winning season on loan at Morton.

Played a bigger role in the League Cup successes of 1979 and 1980. Apps 3.

Derek Stark

Hard-working, tough-tackling defender, Stark could also operate in midfield, where at times he’d be deployed in away European ties. One of the unsung heroes of United’s greatest side. Apps 32.

Eamonn Bannon

Often said when the wide man played, United played well. A big-money signing from Chelsea in 1979, he easily justified his six-figure fee and, of course, scored in the all-important game at Dens Park. Apps 32.

John Holt

Replaced Sturrock with just under half an hour of the last game left. Annother in the Kirkwood vein, and without their versatility, the title could have quite easily have been beyond the club. Apps 25.

Alex Taylor

The young midfielder was just breaking into the first team that year.

Great things were expected of him but the Glaswegian never quite fulfilled his potential. Apps 3.

Maurice Malpas

Was still young when the t itle came to Tannadice but the stylish defender had made the left-back position his own. United were the only club side the man, who is now number two at Inverness, played for. Apps 34.

Ralph Milne

Only Ralph Milne would have had the audacity to try the chip that send United ahead at Dens. Showed no nerves that day. Should have achieved more but will always be a Tangerines hero. Apps 34.

John Reilly

The striker was on the bench for much of the championship season and did not get on at Dens.

Played his part, though, with some important goals. Apps 16.

John McNeil

The name that catches teams out in pub quizzes. John McNeil was a talented Morton winger who joined United very briefly on loan in mid-season, making just one appearance from the bench. Apps 1.

Richard Gough

More famous for his exploits with Rangers, Gough’s first trophy success came at United. The quality of Hegarty and Narey meant he was more often used at right-back than centre-half. Apps 34.

Billy Kirkwood

Another unsung hero. During his time at Tannadice, Kirkwood was picked to play in every outfield position. With a small squad to work from, that made the likes of him vital members of Jim McLean’s squad. Apps 31.

Ian Britton

The Dundonian came to Tannadice after a successful career with Chelsea and, although he was never a regular, his experience was a plus as United won the title. Apps 10.

John Clark

Big Clarkie was just a kid when the league was won. He would go on to become a cult hero for Arabs and scored the goal in the second leg of the 1987 UEFA Cup Final against Gothenburg. Apps 1.

Paul Hegarty

Captain and United legend, Hegarty’s central defensive partnership with Dave Narey provided the cornerstone for the club’s successes. Not bad for a man signed as replacement up front for Andy Gray. Apps 36.

Paul Sturrock

Another true United great. “Luggy” had electric pace, great control and an eye for goal. He was so vital to the team that he played the closing games despite a hamstring injury. Apps 28.

Ian Phillip

Another versatile player who’d followed up a League Cup success with Dundee with another two at United.

By ‘83, he was coming to the end of his time at Tannadice. Apps 5.

Derek Murray

A reliable full-back, Murray looked a promising talent when first introduced to the side but the emergence of Maurice Malpas restricted his appearances. Apps 1.