Dundee United F.C. season 2008-09

Infobox Football club season
club = Dundee United
season = 2008-09
manager = Craig Levein
chairman = Eddie Thompson
league = Clydesdale Bank Premier League
league result = 6th (ongoing)
cup1 = Scottish Cup
cup1 result = Not entered yet
cup2 = Co-operative Insurance Cup
cup2 result = Quarter-finals (ongoing)
league topscorer = Wilkie (3)
season topscorer = Daly (5)
highest attendance = 11,648 (v Celtic, 2008-08-17)
lowest attendance = 6,279 (v Inverness CT, 2008-10-04)
prevseason = 2007-08

The 2008-09 season covers the period from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009 and is the club's one hundredth season, having been founded as Dundee Hibernian in 1909.

Review and events

The pre-season period began with a number of new signings at the club. Dundee midfielder Scott Robertson was one of three players to agree pre-contract deals in June and he was followed by fellow player Paul Dixon shortly afterwards. Willo Flood returned on a second successive season-long loan and fellow Cardiff City player Warren Feeney followed on a similar deal, with Spanish striker Francisco Sandaza the seventh and final signing.

A number of players who were out of contract left the club following the end of the 2007–08 season: Christian Kalvenes returned to Norway and Mark Kerr followed Lee Mair and Stuart Duff in recent years by signing for Aberdeen. Last season's top scorer Noel Hunt left in July to join his brother Stephen at English side Reading.

Chronological list of events

This is a list of the significant events to occur at the club during the 2008-09 season, presented in chronological order. This list does not include transfers, which are listed in the transfers section below, or match results, which are in the results section.

* 22 Jul: The club reject a £500,000 bid from Reading for striker Noel Hunt. [cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/07/22/sportstory11691137t0.asp|title=United reject £500,000 bid for Hunt|last=Roache|first=Ian|date=2008-07-22|publisher=The Courier|accessdate=2008-07-22]
* 23 Jul: Reading's increased offer for Hunt – thought to be about £600,000 – is considered. [cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/07/23/sportstory11696502t0.asp|title=Reading increase offer for Hunt|date=2008-07-22|publisher=The Courier|accessdate=2008-07-23]
* 28 Jul: Former United player and manager Paul Sturrock announces he has Parkinson's disease, just days before United face his club Plymouth Argyle in a friendly. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7528882.stm|title=Argyle's manager has Parkinson's |date=2008-07-28|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-07-31]
*28 Aug: United reject an approach from former manager Craig Brewster – now at Inverness CT – for Darren Dods. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7586542.stm|title=Inverness Dods approach rejected|date=2008-08-28|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-28]
*31 Aug: Former United player Jamie Dolan dies of a heart attack whilst out jogging. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/motherwell/7591749.stm|title=Motherwell mourn death of Dolan |date=2008-09-01|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-09-02]
*04 Sep: Garry Kenneth scores in the Scotland under-21's 3-1 win against Slovenia. David Robertson also appeared as a late substitute. [cite web|url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news.cfm?newsid=4146|title=U21 NEWS - SCOTLAND 3, SLOVENIA 1|date=2008-09-04|publisher=Scottish FA|accessdate=2008-09-08]
*06 Sep: Winger Craig Conway extends his contract until 2011. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7604612.stm|title=Conway agrees new Tannadice deal|date=2008-09-06|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-09-08]
*09 Sep: Garry Kenneth's eighth Scotland under-21 cap ends in disappointment as defeat in Denmark ends their hopes of qualifying for the 2009 European Championship. [cite web|url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news.cfm?newsid=4168|title=U21 NEWS - DENMARK 1, SCOTLAND 1|date=2008-09-09|publisher=Scottish FA|accessdate=2008-09-10]
*10 Sep: Director John Bennett resigns from the board with immediate effect. [cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/09/11/sportstory11944402t0.asp|title=Departing Bennett in Dens link|last=Roache|first=Ian|date=2008-09-10|publisher=The Courier|accessdate=2008-09-11]
*20 Sep: Defender Mihael Kovačević suffers a fractured cheekbone during the closing stages of the 1-0 win at Aberdeen.

Match results

Dundee United have played a total of ten competitive matches during the 2008-09 season,cite web|url=http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=9&date=2008&submit1=List|title=2008/2009 - First Team Fixtures & Results|work=Dundee United FC|accessdate=2008-10-04] as well as six first team pre-season friendlies. The team are currently eighth in the Scottish Premier League.

In the cup competitions, United beat Airdrie United 2-0 to progress to the League Cup quarter-finals, where they face Dunfermline Athletic at home.

Pre-season friendlies

The club began pre-season by winning the Keyline Cup in Oban on 12 Julycite web|url=http://www.abbiesfc.co.uk/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=604&Itemid=2/|title=Saturday round-up|publisher=Hamilton Academical FC|abbessdate=2008-07-12] before embarking on a short trip to Dublin where they played two friendlies against local sides.cite web|url=http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=9&date=2008&submit1=List|title=2008/2009 - First Team Fixtures & Results|publisher=Dundee United FC|abbessdate=2008-05-27] Upon returning to Scotland, United beat Raith Rovers 4-0 and fellow Fife side Dunfermline Athletic 3-2 [cite web|url=http://www.dafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/FNewsDetail/0,,10288~1349050,00.html|title=Dunfermline 2 Dundee United 3 |date=2008-07-22|publisher=Dunfermline Athletic FC|abbessdate=2008-07-22] before a match against Barcelona for the second year running.cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7411006.stm|title=Barca face Hibs and Dundee United |date=2008-05-20|publisher=BBC Sport website|abbessdate=2008-05-20] The friendlies culminated in a win at Plymouth Argyle where United faced former "Terror" Paul Sturrock. [cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/05/22/sportstory11395918t0.asp|title=Levein can enjoy Barca visit|last=Dey|first=Graeme|date=2008-05-22|publisher=The Courier|abbessdate=2008-05-26] United also sent sides to play in victories against Cowdenbeath, [cite web|url=http://www.cowdenbeathfc.com/onfield/report.shtml|title=Cowdenbeath 2, Dundee United XI 4|date=2008-07-19|publisher=Cowdenbeath FC|abbessdate=2008-07-20] Arbroath, [cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/06/07/sportstory11471403t0.asp|title=Black Cats for Gayfield|last=Dey|first=Graeme|date=2008-06-07|publisher=The Courier|abbessdate=2008-06-07] Forres Mechanics, [cite web|url=http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=2958&cd=2008&cd1=7|title=UNITED X1 DEFEAT FORRES MECHANICS|date=2008-07-30|publisher=Dundee United FC|abbessdate=2008-07-30] Dundee North End [cite news|url=http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2008/07/31/gensport.shtm|title=Sandaza southbound|date=2008-07-31|publisher=Evening Telegraph|abbessdate=2008-07-31] and Blairgowrie. [cite web|url=http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=2969&cd=2008&cd1=8|title=U19 X1 DEFEAT BLAIRGOWRIE 3-2|date=2008-08-05|publisher=Dundee United F.C.|abbessdate=2008-08-06] A final friendly was planned against Lochee United [cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/08/05/sportstory11755634t0.asp|title=Dingwall win was delight for Rae|last=Dey|first=Graeme|date=2008-08-05|publisher=The Courier|abbessdate=2008-08-05] but was postponed due to heavy rain.

Fb match2
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comp=Friendly
home=Univ. College Dublin flagicon|IRL
away=flagicon|SCO Dundee United
style=background:#ffcccc;
score= 2 - 1
venue=UCD Bowl
attendance=500
referee=D Coombes
date=2008-07-14
home-score=McNally goal|54|p
King goal|77
away-score=Hunt goal|35
goalscorers=yesFb match2
bg1= f5f5f5;border:solid #f2f2f2 1px;font-size:90%;
comp=Friendly
home=Tolka Rovers flagicon|IRL
away=flagicon|SCO Dundee United
style=background:#ccffcc;
score= 2 - 3
venue=Frank Cooke Park
attendance=
referee=
date=2008-07-16
home-score=Kelly goal|2
Connor goal|33
away-score=Wilkie goal|11, goal|83
Hunt goal|85
goalscorers=yesFb match2
bg1= f9f9f9;border:solid #f2f2f2 1px;font-size:90%;
comp=Friendly
home=Raith Rovers flagicon|SCO
away=flagicon|SCO Dundee United
style=background:#ccffcc;
score=0 - 4
venue=Stark's Park
attendance=
referee=
date=2008-07-19
home-score=
away-score=Feeney goal|8, goal|14, goal|60|p
Hunt goal|70
goalscorers=yesFb match2
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comp=Friendly
home=Dunfermline Athletic flagicon|SCO
away=flagicon|SCO Dundee United
style=background:#ccffcc;
score=2 - 3
venue=East End Park
attendance=
referee=S Finnie
date=2008-07-22
home-score=Thomson goal|58
Phinn goal|67
away-score=Sandaza goal|60, goal|63
Robertson goal|86
goalscorers=yesFb match2
bg1= f9f9f9;border:solid #f2f2f2 1px;font-size:90%;
comp=Friendly
home=Dundee United flagicon|SCO
away=flagicon|ESP Barcelona
style=background:#ffcccc;
score=1 - 5
venue=Tannadice Park
attendance=12,000
referee=
date=2008-07-26
home-score=Buaben goal|25
away-score=Henry goal|26
Messi goal|55, goal|76, goal|78
Eto'o goal|61
goalscorers=yesFb match2
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comp=Friendly
home=Plymouth Argyle flagicon|ENG
away=flagicon|SCO Dundee United
style=background:#ccffcc;
score=0 - 1
venue=Home Park
attendance=4,120
referee=S Tanner
date=2008-08-02
home-score=
away-score=Sandaza goal|47
goalscorers=yes

Premier League

Fb match2
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comp=SPL 1
home=Hamilton Academical
away=Dundee United
style=background:#ffcccc;
score=3 - 1
venue=New Douglas Park
attendance=4,385
referee=S Dougal
date=2008-08-11
home-score=Stevenson goal|29
McArthur goal|39
Graham goal|63
away-score=McLaughlin goal|23|og
goalscorers=yesFb match2
bg1= f6f6f6;border:solid #f2f2f2 1px;font-size:90%;
comp=SPL 2
home=Dundee United
away=Celtic
style=background:#ffffcc;
score=1 - 1
venue=Tannadice Park
attendance=11,648
referee=C Richmond
date=2008-08-17
home-score=Sandaza goal|80
away-score=Hartley goal|51
goalscorers=yesFb match2
bg1= f9f9f9;border:solid #f2f2f2 1px;font-size:90%;
comp=SPL 3
home=Motherwell
away=Dundee United
style=background:#ffffcc;
score=1 - 1
venue=Fir Park
attendance=5,149
referee=D McDonald
date=2008-08-23
home-score=Sutton goal|34
away-score=Wilkie goal|40
goalscorers=yesFb match2
bg1= f6f6f6;border:solid #f2f2f2 1px;font-size:90%;
comp=SPL 4
home=Dundee United
away=Kilmarnock
style=background:#ffcccc;
score=0 - 2
venue=Tannadice Park
attendance=6,823
referee=M Timulty
date=2008-08-30
home-score=
away-score=Skelton goal|40
Invincible goal|59
goalscorers=yesFb match2
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comp=SPL 5
home=Hibernian
away=Dundee United
style=background:#ffcccc;
score=2 - 1
venue=Easter Road
attendance=
referee=D Somers
date=2008-09-13
home-score=Fletcher goal|22, goal|63
Bamba sent off|0|68
away-score=Wilkie goal|45
goalscorers=yesFb match2
bg1= f9f9f9;border:solid #f2f2f2 1px;font-size:90%;
comp=SPL 6
home=Aberdeen
away=Dundee United
style=background:#ccffcc;
score=0 - 1
venue=Pittodrie
attendance=
referee=C Murray
date=2008-09-20
home-score=
away-score=Sandaza goal|47|pen
goalscorers=noFb match2
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comp=SPL 7
home=Dundee United
away=Hearts
style=background:#ccffcc;
score=3 - 0
venue=Tannadice Park
attendance=8,004
referee=D McDonald
date=2008-09-27
home-score=Conway goal|39
Daly goal|50
S Robertson goal|60
away-score=Jónsson sent off|0|74
goalscorers=yesFb match2
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comp=SPL 8
home=Dundee United
away=Inverness CT
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score=2 - 1
venue=Tannadice Park
attendance=
referee=I Brines
date=2008-10-04
home-score=Daly goal|40
Wilkie goal|65
away-score=Wilkie goal|65|og
goalscorers=yes

Out

The club have sold one player so far this season with Noel Hunt joining his brother Stephen at English side Reading for around £600,000. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7520011.stm|title=Dundee Utd sell Hunt to Reading |date=2008-07-23|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-07-23] Young striker Kevin Smith moved on loan to Raith Rovers until January, [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/raith_rovers/7526311.stm|title=Striker Smith joins Raith Rovers|date=2008-07-25|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-20] with fellow youngsters Johnny Russell and John Gibson moving to Forfar Athletic on similar temporary deals. [cite web|url=http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=2978&cd=2008|title=JOHNNY RUSSELL ON LOAN TO FORFAR ATHLETIC|date=2008-08-20|publisher=Dundee United FC|accessdate=2008-08-20] [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/forfar_athletic/7585816.stm|title=United loan goalkeeper to Forfar|date=2008-08-28|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-08-28] Young left back Sean Fleming followed suit shortly afterwards when he joined Peterhead for four months. [cite news|url=http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/812945?UserKey=0|title=Peterhead grab versatile United ace Fleming|last=Third|first=Paul|date=2008-08-30|publisher=The Press and Journal|accessdate=2008-08-30]

Playing kit

The jerseys were sponsored for the first time by JD Sports' Carbrini label. [cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/04/14/sportstory11206252t0.asp|title=United unveil new sponsor|last=Roache|first=Ian|date=2008-04-14|publisher=The Courier|accessdate=2008-04-14] [cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/13/retail|title=JD Sports scores Scots shirt deal|last=Wood|first=Zoe|date=2008-04-13|publisher=The Observer|accessdate=2008-04-14]

The club has no third strip, with the last third strip used in the 2002-03 season.

ee also

* Scottish Premier League 2008-09
* Scottish Cup 2008-09
* Scottish League Cup 2008-09
* 2008-09 in Scottish football

References

External links

* [http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=9&date=2008&submit1=List Official site: 2008/09 Fixtures]
* BBC - [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/club_stats/default.stm Club stats]
* Soccerbase - [http://www.soccerbase.com/results2.sd?teamid=740 Results] | [http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd?teamid=740 Squad stats] | [http://www.soccerbase.com/transfers_by_team.sd?teamid=740 Transfers]