THE HISTORY by Kevin Stirling

While Aberdeen won on their last visit to Tannadice in January of this year, the Dons recent record at the Dundee ground has been disappointing with only two wins from their last 10 visits.

However Aberdeen have remained undefeated at Dundee Utd in both league matches on 15 occasions; one of the best records in the Premier League. In 35 years of the Premier League, the Dons have not managed to win in Dundee in 17 of those seasons. The Dons have only ever won both league meetings at Tannadice in the same season once in 1990.91 with 2-1 and 3-2 wins.

The 1980's trend that saw the away side fare marginally better in these clashes has certainly not continued into the SPL. In the days when a New Firm clash took top billing in Scotland, the differing tactical battles between the respective managers Alex Ferguson and Jim McLean was reflected on the field as players matched up and invariably cancelled each other out. United became renowned for their ability to defend in depth on their own ground and often incurred the wrath of a visiting Fergie. However Ferguson only ever lost on four occasions at Tannadice during his seven year reign at Pittodrie.

Aberdeen v Dundee Utd ~ Complete League Record

SPL 1999-2009

Overall Record 1905-2009

MEMORY MATCH

Saturday 4th January 1969

Dundee Utd 1:4 Aberdeen

Scottish League Division One at Tannadice Park

In what was a traumatic spell for Aberdeen, in season 1968.69 they struggled to gain any consistency as manager Eddie Turnbull chopped and changed his side every other game. Scotland international keeper Bobby Clark had lost his place while the Dons defence had conceded an alarming amount of goals. While that was a source of concern for Turnbull, his side were still capable of turning on the style against any side. The Dons had drew with Dundee and lost at St Johnstone in the New year fixtures and faced their third league game in only four days when they travelled to Tannadice. United had been the shock troops that season as only goal difference was keeping the tangerines off the top of the table. United rarely gave much away but they were stunned by a slick Aberdeen who inflicted a damaging and near fatal blow on united confidence. Ally Shewan was the unlikely scorer of the opening goal and when United keeper Mackay let his header slip through his fingers, the tone was set for a rampant Aberdeen to go on and win with ease. Dave Robb made it 2-0 after 30 minutes then United's Cameron missed a penalty as their hopes of taking anything from the game disappeared. Further goals from Tommy Craig and Jim Forrest eased Aberdeen past a stunned United side whose late response from Cameron was of no significance. Henning Boel, the Dons new Danish defender made a steady first team debut in the middle of the Dons defence.

Aberdeen; McGarr, Whyte, Shewan, Petersen, Boel, Murray, Johnston, smith, Forrest, Robb, Craig.

Attendance; 15,000

ABERDEEN V DUNDEE UTD DID YOU KNOW?

Aberdeen's first ever win at Tannadice came in a Division One meeting on the 23rd November 1929. United were struggling at the foot of the league and were eventually relegated later that season. Aberdeen were strengthened with no less than four Scotland internationals in their side. Three of them were among the goals in the Black & Gold's 4-2 win. Andy Love scored twice with Benny Yorston and Alec Cheyne also on the mark. That was the fourth occasion in 15 games that Aberdeen had scored four or more goals in a game that season. The Dons went on finish in third place, scoring 85 goals from their 38 league outings.

Aberdeen played United no less than 15 times in two seasons, back in 1987.88 and 1988.89. Apart from the 8 Premier league meetings, there were six Scottish Cup ties that all went to a third game after replays and one League Cup clash.