A cutting, from November 28, 1978, said:
Ian Phillip, Dundee’s 27-year-old defender or midfield man, last night moved across the road to Dundee United in a surprise £25,000 transfer.
He is one of the few players who have been traded directly between the two clubs.
In the past, both have clearly considered it bad business, but managers Jim McLean of Dundee United and Tommy Gemmell of Dundee are obviously prepared to risk criticism from their fans if one of their ex-players “comes good” on their own doorstep.
In August last year, they broke with the old tradition in a deal which saw Billy Williamson moving from Tannadice to Dens, and Bobby Robinson travelling in the opposite direction.
Last night’s deal seems to make good sense for both clubs.
Though he has played in the last three games, Phillip has asked for a transfer several times and was unsettled. He had been 10 years at Dens Park, broken by a 13-month stay with Crystal Palace in 1972-73, and felt he needed a change.
Dundee have brought in several new faces in recent months, including Stewart McLaren, who cost £25,000 from Motherwell last Friday, and now have to “unload” players to balance the books.
From United’s point of view, Phillip gives them valuable experience as they bid to maintain their place at the top of the Premier League.
After five years at Tannadice, Phillip moved across the Tay to Fife to spend three years with Raith Rovers. In 1986, Arbroath became his final senior club, playing around 50 times for the Red Lichties in his two-year stay.
Billy Williamson spent five years at his first senior club Aberdeen, memorably scoring a hat-trick for the Dons from midfield in a 3-2 victory over Celtic.
In 1976, he left Pittodrie to sign for United, but didn’t make too many appearances in the first team.
He turned out over 100 times in Dark Blue and, ironically, was a member of the Dee team which contested the 1980-81 League Cup Final with United, losing 3-0.
He then went to Australia, playing for Brisbane Lions and North Star in Brisbane. He captained North Star to a League Grand Final win over Brisbane City, before becoming North Star’s coach.
Robinson joined Dundee from Falkirk and played over 150 games for the Dee. He was just a season at Tannadice before joining Hearts, and ultimately ending his senior career with Raith Rovers.
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.