Dundee United have paid tribute to former club secretary Helen Lindsay, who has died.
Helen, who was known by many as Ella, served the club during Jim McLean’s reign as manager.
During this period the side collected their first major trophy, the League Cup in 1979.
Helen was also with United during their 1983 league-winning campaign before leaving in 1985.
Paying tribute on their website, the club said: “Helen, affectionately known as Ella, played an essential role during Jim McLean’s era at Dundee United, working tirelessly throughout his tenure.
“She is fondly remembered by players, staff, and supporters alike from one of the most fruitful periods in the club’s history.
“Helen played a pivotal role during an era defined by remarkable success both domestically and in Europe.
“She will be sadly missed.”
Tributes paid to former Dundee United secretary
John Holt, who signed for the club in 1973, paid his respects to Helen.
He said: “You couldn’t meet a nicer person.
“She was at the club for around five years before I joined. When I signed I was only 15 and a half and she was always helpful.
“Players like David Narey and Graeme Payne also signed and were of a similar age, she was brilliant to all of us.
“She was the type of person you’d chap on their door for advice – not like a coach, but she always kept you right.
“She was a friend to everybody. If she sat at reception she would always ask how she could help.
“She spent the last few years of her life at St Columbas and I would go up and see her every Friday, speaking to her for 50 minutes or even an hour.
“It’s very sad, she was a really nice person.”
Former United secretary shared secret to married life
In 2014, The Courier spoke to Helen and her husband James as they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Helen, an ice dancer in the 1940s and James, a former mill mechanic, married in 1954 at Clepington Church.
Dundee‘s then-Lord Provost Bob Duncan visited Helen and James during the celebrations, and they also received a message from the Queen.
They said the secret to a long and happy marriage was “to have an argument everyday”.
The couple had sons Ian and Graeme, and grandchildren Ross, Victoria, Ryan and Connor.
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