2008–09 Dundee United F.C. season

July 2020 Dundee United 2008–09 Eddie Thompson(until 15 October)Stephen Thompson(from 21 November) Craig Levein Tannadice Park SPL Fifth place Scottish Cup Fifth round League Cup Semi-finals Francisco Sandaza (10) Francisco Sandaza (10) 14,077 vs. Rangers, SPL, 24 May 2009 3,444 vs. Airdrie United, League Cup, 23 September 2008 _dundeeutd0809 FC9916 _blackborder FC9916 _blackborder FC9916 _hummel08 black FC9916 _hummel08black FC9916 _dundeeutd0809 FFFFFF _blackborder FFFFFF _blackborder FFFFFF 101010 _hummel08white FFFFFF _hummel08black 2007–08 2009–10 The 2008–09 season covers the period from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009 and is the club's 100th season, having been founded as Dundee Hibernian in 1909. Summary 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 and Irish forward Roy O'Donovan (loan) the final signings. A number of players who were out of contract left the club following the end of the 2007–08 season, including Christian Kalvenes who moved to Burnley, and Mark Kerr, who followed Lee Mair, Stuart Duff and Lee Miller in recent years by signing for New Firm rivals Aberdeen. Last season's top scorer Noel Hunt left in July to join his brother Stephen at English side Reading. Chairman Eddie Thompson died of prostate cancer on 15 October. The club began pre-season by winning the Keyline Cup in Oban on 12 Julyhttp://www.abbiesfc.co.uk/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=604&Itemid=2/ Saturday round-up Hamilton Academical F.C. 2008-07-12September 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes before embarking on a short trip to Dublin where they played two friendlies against local sides.http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=9&date=2008&submit1=List 2008–09 - First Team Fixtures & Results Dundee United F.C. 2008-05-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20120217095459/http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=9&date=2008&submit1=List 17 February 2012 dead Upon returning to Scotland, United beat Raith Rovers 4-0 and fellow Fife side Dunfermline Athletic 3-2http://www.dafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/FNewsDetail/0,,10288~1349050,00.html Dunfermline 2 Dundee United 3 2008-07-22 Dunfermline Athletic F.C. 2008-07-22May 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes before a match against Barcelona for the second year running.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/7411006.stm Barca face Hibs and Dundee United 2008-05-20 BBC Sport website 2008-05-20 The friendlies culminated in a win at Plymouth Argyle where United faced former Terror Paul Sturrock.http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/05/22/sportstory11395918t0.asp Levein can enjoy Barca visit Dey Graeme 2008-05-22 The Courier 2008-05-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20110605020830/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/05/22/sportstory11395918t0.asp 5 June 2011 dead United also sent sides to play in victories against Cowdenbeath,http://www.cowdenbeathfc.com/onfield/report.shtml Cowdenbeath 2, Dundee United XI 4 2008-07-19 Cowdenbeath F.C. 2008-07-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20080509104849/http://www.cowdenbeathfc.com/onfield/report.shtml 9 May 2008 dead Arbroath,http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/06/07/sportstory11471403t0.asp Black Cats for Gayfield Dey Graeme 2008-06-07 The Courier 2008-06-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20080701142632/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/06/07/sportstory11471403t0.asp 1 July 2008 dead Forres Mechanics,http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=2958&cd=2008&cd1=7 UNITED X1 DEFEAT FORRES MECHANICS 2008-07-30 Dundee United F.C. 2008-07-30 Dundee North Endhttp://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2008/07/31/gensport.shtm Sandaza southbound 2008-07-31 Evening Telegraph 2008-07-31 https://web.archive.org/web/20110606141828/http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2008/07/31/gensport.shtm 6 June 2011 dead and Blairgowrie.http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=2969&cd=2008&cd1=8 U19 X1 DEFEAT BLAIRGOWRIE 3-2 2008-08-05 Dundee United F.C. 2008-08-06 A final friendly was planned against Lochee Unitedhttp://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/08/05/sportstory11755634t0.asp Dingwall win was delight for Rae Dey Graeme 2008-08-05 The Courier 2008-08-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20110605020602/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/08/05/sportstory11755634t0.asp 5 June 2011 dead but was postponed due to heavy rain. In April, the club racked up an 8–0 win at Brora Rangers to mark the opening of the ground's new floodlights, with Andis Shala scoring a hat-trick.http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1181761?UserKey= United turn on the style under Brora floodlights 2009-04-22 Press and Journal 2009-04-22 United began the season with a televised match away to promoted Hamilton Academical, which – despite taking the lead – they lost 3–1. Subsequent 1–1 draws at home to Celtic – another televised match in which Francisco Sandaza scored his first goal – and away to Motherwell produced the first points of the season but a home defeat to Kilmarnock and narrow defeat away to Hibernian left United bottom of the league after five matches. United's third televised match of the season saw them pick up their first league win at Aberdeen and was the first of four successive league victories, preceding home triumphs against Hearts, Inverness CT and St Mirren. The run of victories saw first league goals for summer signings Scott Robertson and Roy O'Donovan, with three clean sheets for goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska. The St Mirren match was played three weeks after the Inverness match following the death of chairman Eddie Thompson, which led to the match against Rangers being postponed. As the St Mirren match was the first match following the death of the chairman, prices were reduced to just £5, prompting over 11,000 fans to attend and pay their respects with a minute's silence. United failed to make it five consecutive league game wins when they drew 0–0 at Falkirk but kept their unbeaten run going with an exciting 3–3 draw against Rangers at Ibrox and got back to winning ways with home wins over Aberdeen and Hibernian. A second successive 2–0 defeat to Kilmarnock – this time away from home – preceded a 1–1 draw at home to Hamilton, before wins at St Mirren and Inverness brought United back-to-back away victories for the first time since April 2007. United were involved in another high scoring match against Rangers in a 2–2 draw at Tannadice and followed it up by holding Hearts to a 0–0 draw at Tynecastle, closing 2008 with a home win against Falkirk. 2009 began with a draw at Celtic Park, despite being two goals behind but United's next match saw a 4–0 home collapse against Motherwell, only the club's second defeat in the previous 17 league matches. An exciting 3–2 win at home to St Mirren preceded a 2–0 defeat against Rangers at Ibrox, before draws at home to Inverness and away to Aberdeen. Rivals for third place Hearts won at Tannadice before United won away at Falkirk, with a defeat at Motherwell tempered by a home draw against Celtic. After conceding first at home for the seventh time in eight matches, United came from two goals down to draw with Hibernian, before beating Hamilton for the first time this season, securing a top six league finish. In the final match before the league split, United failed to gain further ground on Hearts for third place, being held at home by Kilmarnock to a goalless draw, ensuring United failed to score against the Ayrshire side all season. In the first match after the split, United's dominance of the entire match earned a win against Hibernian at Easter Road, before missing the chance to go third after a home draw against Aberdeen. United's final trip to Glasgow resulted in a narrow 2–1 loss against Celtic, with defeats against Heart of Midlothian and Rangers to close the season. thumb|right|United players warming up before the cup match against East Stirlingshire United beat East Stirlingshire 4–0 at Ochilview Park in the Scottish Cup fourth round, with goals from Prince Buaben, Darren Dods, Jon Daly and Johnny Russell. Shortly before the match, United were drawn away to Hamilton Academical in the fifth round, where they were narrowly beaten 2–1, despite leading at half-time. Last season's runners-up United began their League Cup campaign away to Cowdenbeath, where a hat-trick from Jon Daly helped them to a 5–1 win. In the third round, Airdrie United – who United faced in the second round of last year's competition – were beaten 2–0, before a quarter-final win at home to Dunfermline Athletic. United faced Celtic in the semi-finals in late January where they lost11-10 on penalties, a record for a Scottish cup match. United signed eleven players during the season. Midfielder Scott Robertson agreed a pre-contract move from rivals Dundee on 3 Junehttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7432006.stm Dundee United seal Robertson deal 2008-06-03 BBC Sport 17 June 2008 and two players agreed similar moves on 17 June, with Northern Irish goalkeeper Michael McGovern agreeing to move from Celtichttp://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=2930&cd=2008&cd1=6 Dundee United confirm signings 2008-06-17 Dundee United FC 17 June 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120217095634/http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=2930&cd=2008&cd1=6 17 February 2012 and German striker Andis Shala arriving from VfR Mannheim. Less than a week later, United signed a second player from Dundee when Scotland under-21 defender Paul Dixon arrived for around £25,000.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7463080.stm Dixon delights in Dundee Utd move 2008-06-23 BBC Sport 2008-06-23 Willo Flood returned for a second successive season-long loan when terms were agreed with Cardiff City again on 1 Julyhttp://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/07/01/SPL-Dundee-United-re-sign-Flood/ Agent confirms Flood return Etherson Brian 2008-07-01 Setanta Sports 2008-07-01October 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes and Cardiff colleague Warren Feeney followed in a similar deal a week later.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7494291.stm Feeney signs Dundee Utd loan deal 2008-07-08 BBC Sport 2008-07-08 Shortly afterwards, Spanish striker Francisco Sandaza arrived on a three-year contract from Valencia Mestalla.http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=2937&cd=2008&cd1=7 Sandaza signs for United 2008-07-11 Dundee United F.C. 2008-07-11 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120217095711/http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=2937&cd=2008&cd1=7 17 February 2012 In August, Craig Levein's pursuit of Roy O'Donovan ended with a season-long deal for the Sunderland striker,https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7550276.stm O'Donovan in Tannadice loan deal 2008-08-08 BBC Sport 2008-08-10 although he was recalled in January, as was Willo Flood, ahead of his transfer to Celtic. On transfer deadline day, Paul Caddis moved from Celtic Park until the end of the season, with Australian midfielder James Wesolowski joining on a similar deal from Leicester City although his spell was cut short by injury. Youngster Jennison Myrie-Williams joined in June following his release from Bristol City. The club sold only one player during the season, with Noel Hunt joining his brother Stephen at English side Reading for around £600,000.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7520011.stm Dundee Utd sell Hunt to Reading 2008-07-23 BBC Sport 2008-07-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20080724044302/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7520011.stm 24 July 2008 live Young striker Kevin Smith moved on loan to Raith Rovers until January,https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/raith_rovers/7526311.stm Striker Smith joins Raith Rovers 2008-07-25 BBC Sport 2008-08-20 with fellow youngsters Johnny Russell and John Gibson moving to Forfar Athletic on similar temporary deals.http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=2978&cd=2008 JOHNNY RUSSELL ON LOAN TO FORFAR ATHLETIC 2008-08-20 Dundee United F.C. 2008-08-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20080823040729/http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=2978&cd=2008 23 August 2008 dead https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/f/forfar_athletic/7585816.stm United loan goalkeeper to Forfar 2008-08-28 BBC Sport 2008-08-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20080831103527/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/forfar_athletic/7585816.stm 31 August 2008 live Young left back Sean Fleming followed suit shortly afterwards when he joined Peterhead for four months.http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/812945?UserKey=0 Peterhead grab versatile United ace Fleming Third Paul 2008-08-30 The Press and Journal 2008-08-30 Gibson's loan was subsequently extended until the end of the season, with young first team squad member Keith Watson joining him on a short-term loan, shortly afterwards Marco Andreoni undertook a similar deal with Albion Rovers. Sean Fleming moved back out on loan, joining Andreoni at Albion while young midfielder Ryan McCord moved short-term to Stirling Albion and Gordon Pope headed to Montrose. Kevin Smith went back to Raith after returning to Tannadice for a few weeks, with Johnny Russell returning to Forfar in similar fashion. Towards the end of February, midfielder Greg Cameron moved on loan to Irish outfit Shamrock Rovers, managed by former United player Michael O'Neill and Fraser Milligan departed to Montrose on a similar deal shortly afterwards. Youth goalkeeper Gibson signed a one-year deal with Dundee on his return to Tannadice. Similarly, Fleming, Pope and Milligan all penned two-year deals with Montrose at the end of May. The club's playing kits were sponsored by JD Sports' Carbrini Sportswear label for the first time,http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/04/14/sportstory11206252t0.asp United unveil new sponsor Roache Ian 2008-04-14 The Courier 2008-04-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20090506214321/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/04/14/sportstory11206252t0.asp 6 May 2009 deadhttps://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/apr/13/retail JD Sports scores Scots shirt deal Wood Zoe 2008-04-13 The Observer 2008-04-14 with the firm also sponsoring the shorts. Kitmaker Hummel supplied their last strip after the club announced in March 2009 that Nike would begin a four-year deal for the 2009–10 season. 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 July: The club reject a £500,000 bid from Reading for striker Noel Hunt.http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/07/22/sportstory11691137t0.asp United reject £500,000 bid for Hunt Roache Ian 2008-07-22 The Courier 2008-07-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20081120161748/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/07/22/sportstory11691137t0.asp 20 November 2008 dead 23 July: Reading's increased offer for Hunt – thought to be about £600,000 – is considered.http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/07/23/sportstory11696502t0.asp Reading increase offer for Hunt 2008-07-22 The Courier 2008-07-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20110605020810/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/07/23/sportstory11696502t0.asp 5 June 2011 dead 28 July: 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.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/7528882.stm Argyle's manager has Parkinson's 2008-07-28 BBC Sport 2008-07-31 https://web.archive.org/web/20080729040139/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7528882.stm 29 July 2008 live 28 August: United reject an approach from former manager Craig Brewster – now at Inverness CT – for Darren Dods.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7586542.stm Inverness Dods approach rejected 2008-08-28 BBC Sport 2008-08-28 31 August: Former United player Jamie Dolan dies of a heart attack whilst out jogging.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/motherwell/7591749.stm Motherwell mourn death of Dolan 2008-09-01 BBC Sport 2008-09-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20080903224711/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/motherwell/7591749.stm 3 September 2008 live 4 September: Garry Kenneth scores in Scotland under-21s 3–1 win against Slovenia. David Robertson also appeared as a late substitute.http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news.cfm?newsid=4146 U21 NEWS – SCOTLAND 3, SLOVENIA 1 2008-09-04 Scottish FA 2008-09-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20080915085746/http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news.cfm?newsid=4146 15 September 2008 dead 6 September: Winger Craig Conway extends his contract until 2011.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7604612.stm Conway agrees new Tannadice deal 2008-09-06 BBC Sport 2008-09-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20080912063214/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7604612.stm 12 September 2008 live 9 September: 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.http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news.cfm?newsid=4168 U21 NEWS – DENMARK 1, SCOTLAND 1 2008-09-09 Scottish FA 2008-09-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20080916181041/http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news.cfm?newsid=4168 16 September 2008 dead 10 September: Director John Bennett resigns from the board with immediate effect.http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/09/11/sportstory11944402t0.asp Departing Bennett in Dens link Roache Ian 2008-09-10 The Courier 2008-09-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20080914025426/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/09/11/sportstory11944402t0.asp 14 September 2008 dead 20 September: Defender Mihael Kovačević suffers a fractured cheekbone during the closing stages of the 1–0 win at Aberdeen. 15 October: Chairman Eddie Thompson dies after losing his battle with prostate cancer.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7670895.stm Dundee Utd chairman Thompson dies 2008-10-15 BBC Sport 2008-10-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20081018231153/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7670895.stm 18 October 2008 live The match against Rangers, scheduled for three days later, is postponed as a mark of respect. 20 October: The club announce admission for the upcoming match against St Mirren will be only £5 to allow as many as possible to pay their respects to late chairman Eddie Thompson.http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=3041&cd=2008 StMirren game announcement 2008-10-20 Dundee United F.C. 2008-10-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20081025091401/http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=2&nid=3041&cd=2008 25 October 2008 live 22 October: The funeral of late chairman Eddie Thompson is held in Broughty Ferry with around 1,000 supporters attending. 3 November: Rangers chairman David Murray apologises after suggesting abuse between some United and Dundee fans on certain websites was "just as bad" as between Celtic and Rangers.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7705269.stm Murray apologises to Dundee clubs 2008-11-03 BBC Sport 2008-11-04 5 November: Young striker Ryan Dow is named the SPL 'Rising Star' for September.http://www.scotprem.com/content/default.asp?page=s2&newsid=7146&back=home Dow named Rising Star 2008-11-05 Scottish Premier League 2008-11-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20081117011739/http://www.scotprem.com/content/default.asp?page=s2&newsid=7146&back=home 17 November 2008 dead 14 November: Stephen Thompson, son of late chairman Eddie, is officially named as the club's new chairman. 15 November: Scott Robertson is named in the Scotland squad to play Argentina, being called up as a late replacement due to injuries. 18 November: David Goodwillie makes his Scotland under-21 debut as a half-time substitute in the friendly defeat to Northern Ireland. 19 November: Robertson becomes the 19th United player to be capped by Scotland, appearing as a 59th-minute substitute for Barry Ferguson. 28 November: Manager Craig Levein turns down an approach from Football League Championship side Watford. 2 December: Levein signs a new contract until May 2012, with coaches Peter Houston and Gary Kirk following suit. 18 December: Lukasz Zaluska announces he will leave the club at the end of his contract, expecting to join Celtic. 8 January: Captain Lee Wilkie signs a new three-year contract. 12 January: Full-back Seán Dillon joins Wilkie in signing a new three-year contract. 17 January: The contract renewals keep on coming with Garry Kenneth and David Goodwillie signing until May 2012, and David Robertson and Kevin Smith signing until May 2011. 22 January: The seventh, eighth and ninth contract extensions this year are announced, with new deals for Darren Dods, Prince Buaben and Morgaro Gomis. 12 March: The club announce Nike will be the official kit supplier for the next four seasons from 2009–10 onwards. 11 April: United's 1–0 victory at Hamilton Academical secures a top-six finish for the second successive season.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/7992218.stm Hamilton 0-1 Dundee Utd Conaghan Martin 2009-04-11 BBC Sport 2009-04-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20090414064809/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7992218.stm 14 April 2009 live 18 April: Striker Kevin Smith suffers a broken leg and dislocated ankle while on loan at Raith Rovers, ruling him out for six months.http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1181187 Double injury will rule out Smith until October 2009-04-22 Press and Journal 2009-04-22 Results and fixtures Dundee United have played a total of 44 competitive matches during the 2008–09 season,http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=9&date=2008&submit1=List 2008-09 - First Team Fixtures & Results Dundee United F.C. 2008-05-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20120217095459/http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=9&date=2008&submit1=List 17 February 2012 dead as well as six first team pre-season friendlies. The team finished fifth in the Scottish Premier League. In the cup competitions, United lost to Celtic in the League Cup semi-final, while they were beaten by Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Cup fifth round. Friendlies ffcccc 14 July 2008 Friendly 2–1 IRL UCD McNally 54 pen.King 77 Dundee United Hunt 35 UCD Bowl 500 D Coombes ccffcc 16 July 2008 Friendly 2–3 IRL Tolka Rovers Kelly 2Connor 33 Dundee United Wilkie 11 83Hunt 85 Frank Cooke Park ccffcc 19 July 2008 Friendly 0–4 Raith Rovers Dundee United Feeney 8 14 60 pen.Hunt 70 Stark's Park ccffcc 22 July 2008 Friendly 2–3 Dunfermline Athletic Thomson 58Phinn 67 Dundee United Sandaza 60 63Robertson 86 East End Park S Finnie ffcccc 26 July 2008 Friendly 1–5 Dundee United Buaben 25 SPA Barcelona Henry 26Messi 55 76 78Eto'o 61 Tannadice Park 12,000 ccffcc 2 August 2008 Friendly 0–1 ENG Plymouth Argyle Dundee United Sandaza 47 Home Park 4,120 S Tanner ccffcc 21 April 2009 Friendly 0–8 Brora Rangers Dundee United McCord 5Shala 7 31 77Swanson 13Dillon 16Goodwillie 54 83 Dudgeon Park Scottish Premier League 2008–09 Scottish Premier League ffcccc 11 August 2008 1 3–1 Hamilton Academical Stevenson 29McArthur 39Graham 63 Dundee United McLaughlin 23 o.g. New Douglas Park 4,385 S Dougal ffffcc 17 August 2008 2 1–1 Dundee United Sandaza 80 Celtic Hartley 51 Tannadice Park 11,648 C Richmond ffffcc 23 August 2008 3 1–1 Motherwell Sutton 34 Dundee United Wilkie 40 Fir Park 5,149 D McDonald ffcccc 30 August 2008 4 0–2 Dundee United Kilmarnock Skelton 40Invincible 59 Tannadice Park 6,823 M Tumilty ffcccc 13 September 2008 5 2–1 Hibernian Fletcher 22 63Bamba 1 68 Dundee United Wilkie 45 Easter Road 13,390 D Somers ccffcc 20 September 2008 6 0–1 Aberdeen Dundee United Sandaza 47 pen. Pittodrie Stadium 11,041 C Murray ccffcc 27 September 2008 7 3–0 Dundee United Conway 39Daly 50S Robertson 60 Heart of Midlothian Jónsson 1 74 Tannadice Park 8,004 D McDonald ccffcc 4 October 2008 8 2–1 Dundee United Daly 40Wilkie 65 Inverness CT Wilkie 89 o.g. Tannadice Park 6,279 I Brines ccffcc 25 October 2008 9 2–0 Dundee United O'Donovan 85Conway 90 St Mirren Tannadice Park 11,378 B Winter ffffcc 1 November 2008 10 0–0 Falkirk Dundee United O'Donovan 0 57 Falkirk Stadium 5,608 I Brines ffffcc 4 November 2008 11 3–3 Rangers Davis 11Papac 37Thomson 90 Dundee United Sandaza 17 28Robertson 59 Ibrox Stadium 48,686 C Thomson ccffcc 8 November 2008 12 2–1 Dundee United Sandaza 8Feeney 14 Aberdeen Mackie 66 Tannadice Park 9,490 W Collum ccffcc 12 November 2008 13 2–0 Dundee United Dods 54Sandaza 60 Hibernian Tannadice Park 7,390 E Smith ffcccc 15 November 2008 14 2–0 Kilmarnock Hamill 45 pen.Fernández 61 Dundee United Rugby Park 4,652 E Norris ffffcc 22 November 2008 15 1–1 Dundee United Easton 90 o.g. Hamilton Academical Offiong 8Mensing 1 84 Tannadice Park 6,108 C Allan ccffcc 29 November 2008 16 0–2 St Mirren Dundee United Daly 37 88 pen. St Mirren Park 4,013 C Murray ccffcc 6 December 2008 17 1–3 Inverness CT Rooney 73 Dundee United Daly 51, Conway 64, D Robertson 71 Caledonian Stadium 3,560 B Winter ffffcc 13 December 2008 18 2–2 Dundee United Wilkie 50Feeney 54 Rangers Boyd 11Lafferty 76 Tannadice Park 11,362 I Brines ffffcc 20 December 2008 19 0–0 Heart of Midlothian Dundee United Tynecastle Stadium 16,442 W Collum ccffcc 27 December 2008 20 1–0 Dundee United S Robertson 21 Falkirk Barr 1 82 Tannadice Park 7,972 C Boyle ffffcc 3 January 2009 21 2–2 Celtic Samaras 12 57 Dundee United Dixon 59Feeney 77 Celtic Park 59,558 S Conroy ffcccc 18 January 2009 22 0–4 Dundee United Motherwell Fitzpatrick 23Klimpl 27Clarkson 33Porter 63 Tannadice Park 7,090 E Smith ccffcc 24 January 2009 23 3–2 Dundee United Feeney 71 pen. 84Buaben 82 St Mirren Ross 17Mehmet 73 pen Tannadice Park 6,556 S O'Reilly ffcccc 31 January 2009 24 2–0 Rangers Fleck 78 pen.Lafferty 90 Dundee United Ibrox Stadium 49,918 I Brines ffffcc 14 February 2009 25 1–1 Dundee United Wilkie 79 Inverness CT Odhiambo 16Duncan 0 71 Tannadice Park 5,926 C Thomson ffffcc 21 February 2009 26 2–2 Aberdeen Severin 46Diamond 72 Dundee United Sandaza 10 pen.D Robertson 56 Pittodrie Stadium 14,673 W Collum ffcccc 28 February 2009 27 0–1 Dundee United Sandaza Hearts Stewart 62 Tannadice Park 8,529 E Smith ccffcc 3 March 2009 28 0–1 Falkirk Dundee United Conway 27 pen. Falkirk Stadium 4,385 D McDonald ffcccc 14 March 2009 29 2–1 Motherwell Sutton 25Clarkson 75 Dundee United Sandaza 51 Fir Park 4,798 D McDonald ffffcc 22 March 2009 30 2–2 Dundee United Sandaza 47 58 Celtic McDonald 23Naylor 81 Tannadice Park 12,043 S Conroy ffffcc 4 April 2009 31 2–2 Dundee United Conway Kenneth 53Goodwillie 90 Hibernian Nish 6 10 Tannadice Park 6,623 E Smith ccffcc 11 April 2009 32 0–1 Hamilton Academical Dundee United Conway 4 New Douglas Park 3,025 C Murray ffffcc 18 April 2009 33 0–0 Dundee United Dixon 0 85 Kilmarnock Tannadice Park 6,627 W Collum ccffcc 2 May 2009 34 1–2 Hibernian Fletcher 40Hogg 0 85 Dundee United Feeney 28Goodwillie 89 Easter Road 10,591 S O'Reilly ffffcc 7 May 2009 35 1–1 Dundee United Goodwillie 38 Aberdeen Miller 33Kerr 0 75 Tannadice Park 10,407 C Boyle ffcccc 12 May 2009 36 2–1 Celtic Loovens 22Samaras 52 Dundee United D Robertson 57 Celtic Park 57,407 S Dougal ffcccc 16 May 2009 37 3–0 Heart of Midlothian Wallace 11Aguiar 26Jónsson 79 pen. Dundee United Tynecastle Park 15,664 B Winter ffcccc 24 May 2009 38 0–3 Dundee United Rangers Lafferty 6Mendes 45Boyd 52 Tannadice Park 14,077 D McDonald Scottish Cup 2008–09 Scottish Cup ccffcc 11 January 2009 15:00 Fourth round 0–4 East Stirlingshire Dundee United Buaben 15Dods 40Daly 43Russell 55 pen. Ochilview Park 2,153 M Tumilty ffcccc 7 February 2009 15:00 Fifth round 2–1 Hamilton Academical Swailes 47 55 Dundee United Grainger 35 New Douglas Park 3,058 C Richmond Scottish League Cup 2008–09 Scottish League Cup ccffcc 26 August 2008 Second round 1–5 Cowdenbeath J Dempster 74 Dundee United Daly 30 47Goodwillie 41 60 80 Central Park 1,423 E Norris ccffcc 23 September 2008 Third round 2–0 Dundee United Goodwillie 33S Robertson 42 Airdrie United Tannadice Park 3,444 M Tumilty ccffcc 28 October 2008 Quarter–finals 1–0 Dundee United S Robertson 16 Dunfermline Athletic Tannadice Park 5,350 D McDonald ffffcc 28 January 2009 19:45 Semi–finals Celtic 0–0 y 11–10 Report Dundee United McDonald Caldwell Nakamura Robson Samaras Naylor Crosas Brown Loovens Hinkel Boruc McDonald Flood Daly Feeney Conway Dixon Gomis Kenneth Robertson Wilkie Kovačević Załuska Flood Hampden Park C Murray 19,258 Player statistics During the 2008–09 season so far, United have used 26 different players on the pitch. Łukasz Załuska is the only player to have played every minute this season. The table below shows the number of appearances and goals scored by each player.http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd?teamid=740&seasonid=138 Dundee Utd 2008–09 player appearances Soccerbase 2009-05-24 SPL Scottish Cup League Cup 1 Łukasz Załuska GK Poland 38 0 2 0 4 0 2 Seán Dillon DF IRL 19 0 2 0 3 0 3 Danny Grainger DF England 10 0 1 1 1 0 4 Lee Wilkie DF Scotland 35 5 1 0 3 0 5 Darren Dods DF Scotland 19 1 1 1 3 0 6 Willo Flood MF IRL 19 0 1 0 3 0 6 Paul Caddis MF Scotland 11 0 0 0 0 0 7 Warren Feeney FW Northern Ireland 23 6 1 0 2 0 8 Scott Robertson MF Scotland 22 3 0 0 3 2 9 Jon Daly FW IRL 22 5 2 1 2 3 10 Roy O'Donovan FW IRL 11 1 0 0 2 0 10 James Wesolowski MF Australia 8 0 0 0 0 0 11 Francisco Sandaza FW Spain 31 10 1 0 3 0 12 David Robertson MF Scotland 19 3 2 0 2 0 13 Michael McGovern GK Northern Ireland 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 Danny Swanson MF Scotland 29 0 2 0 2 0 15 Craig Conway MF Scotland 35 4 2 0 4 0 16 Morgaro Gomis MF Senegal 37 0 2 0 4 0 18 Garry Kenneth DF Scotland 25 1 2 0 2 0 20 Andis Shala FW Kosovo 8 0 0 0 1 0 23 Paul Dixon DF Scotland 29 1 1 0 3 0 24 Mihael Kovačević DF Switzerland 17 0 1 0 1 0 25 Prince Buaben MF Ghana 22 1 2 1 1 0 26 David Goodwillie FW Scotland 15 3 0 0 2 3 29 Ryan McCord MF Scotland 0 0 0 0 1 0 30 Johnny Russell FW Scotland 0 0 1 1 0 0 |} Francisco Sandaza was the top scorer with ten goals, with the team totalling 58 goals. During the 2008–09 season, fifteen United players received at least one caution. In total, the team received 60 yellow cards. NameGoalsBookingsDismissalsPrince Buaben 2 4Paul Caddis 1Craig Conway Craig Conway (footballer) 4 5Jon Daly Jon Daly (footballer) 9 2Seán Dillon 1Paul Dixon Paul Dixon (footballer, born 1986) 1 10 1Darren Dods 2 4Warren Feeney 6 5Willo Flood 7Morgaro Gomis 4David Goodwillie 6 2Danny Grainger 1 4Garry Kenneth 1 2Mihael Kovacevic 3Roy O'Donovan 1 20 1David Robertson David Robertson (footballer, born 1986) 3 2Scott Robertson Scott Robertson (footballer, born 1985) 5 2Johnny Russell Johnny Russell (footballer) 1Francisco Sandaza 10 6Andis Shala 1James Wesolowski 3Lee Wilkie 5 8Own goals 2 Competitions League table DNU Transfers Players in Date Player From Fee 1 July 2008 SCO Paul Dixon Paul Dixon (footballer, born 1986) SCO Dundee £25,000 NIR Michael McGovern Michael McGovern (footballer) SCO Celtic Free SCO Scott Robertson Scott Robertson (footballer, born 1985) SCO Dundee Free KOS Andis Shala GER VfR Mannheim Free 11 July 2008 SPA Francisco Sandaza SPA Valencia Mestalla Free 12 June 2009 ENG Jennison Myrie-Williams ENG Bristol City Free Players out Date Player From Fee 23 July 2008 IRL Noel Hunt ENG Reading £600,000 15 May 2009 SCO John Gibson John Gibson (footballer, born 1989) SCO Dundee Free 29 May 2009 SCO Sean Fleming 1 SCO Montrose Free SCO Gordon Pope 1 Free SCO Fraser Milligan Free Loans in Date Player From Fee 1 July 2008 IRL Willo Flood WAL Cardiff City Loan 8 July 2008 NIR Warren Feeney Loan 8 August 2008 IRL Roy O'Donovan ENG Sunderland Loan 2 February 2009 SCO Paul Caddis SCO Celtic Loan 2 February 2009 AUS James Wesolowski ENG Leicester City Loan Loans out Date Player From Fee 25 July 2008 SCO Kevin Smith Kevin Smith (footballer, born 1987) SCORaith Rovers Loan 20 August 2008 SCO Johnny Russell Johnny Russell (footballer) SCO Forfar Athletic Loan 28 August 2008 SCO John Gibson John Gibson (footballer, born 1989) Loan 30 August 2008 SCO Sean Fleming 1 SCO Peterhead Loan 10 December 2008 SCO Marco Andreoni SCO Albion Rovers Loan 2 January 2009 SCO Keith Watson Keith Watson (footballer) SCO Forfar Athletic Loan 6 January 2009 SCO Ryan McCord Ryan McCord SCO Stirling Albion Loan SCO Sean Fleming 1 SCO Albion Rovers Loan 23 January 2009 SCO Gordon Pope 1 SCO Montrose Loan SCO Kevin Smith Kevin Smith (footballer, born 1987) SCO Raith Rovers Loan 23 February 2009 SCO Greg Cameron IRL Shamrock Rovers Loan 6 March 2009 SCO Fraser Milligan SCO Montrose Loan Awards Rising Star Ryan Dow: 1 September 2008 See also 2008–09 Scottish Premier League 2008–09 Scottish Cup 2008–09 Scottish League Cup 2008–09 in Scottish football References 30em External links Official site: 2008/09 Fixtures BBC – Club stats Soccerbase – Results | Squad stats | Transfers Category:Dundee United F.C. seasons Dundee United