“Ralph scored some great goals for United, including the never-to-be-forgotten chip at Dens on the day we won the league,” remembered Bill.
“His goals came from his left-foot, right-foot and his head.
“Indeed, he is also United’s all-time leading European scorer.
“What more would a player have to do to get into the Hall of Fame?
PETER MACKAY was another offering from Bill, who confessed to a personal interest.
“Peter scored an incredible 202 goals for United at a time when we were a stuggling Second Division side,” he continued.
“Over 40 years after he left the club, it was obvious where his heart still lay.
“When he died, I was contacted by his family and it was his wish to have his ashes scattered in a goalmouth at Tannadice.
“This was duly done — and a strange thing happened.
“United were struggling at the time to score goals, but, at the first home game after the scattering of the ashes, they trounced St Mirren 4-0, with all the goals being scored in the goal where Peter’s ashes were scattered.”
MORAG WALKER supplied several names which her husband thinks should be candidates.
“My husband says some great names were STUART FRASER, MOGENS BERG, IAN MITCHELL, RONNIE YEATS, HAMISH McALPINE, PAUL STURROCK, DAVIE DODDS (I think he scored 100 goals in the Premier League) and PETER MACKAY.
“I try to give football a wide berth, but your page is the only one I read because I like the old photos.”
MARTIN SMALL, Hilltown, Dundee, reckoned HAMISH McALPINE should be in among the Tangerine greats.
“Hamish was a great goalkeeper for United and was very unlucky not to be capped for Scotland.
“I also like STUART FRASER, who was a very good left-half in the 1960s.
“I’m just presuming, like many Arabs, that PAUL STURROCK and EAMONN BANNON will definitely be in the next intake. They certainly should be!”
GEORGE WILSON, of Alyth, sees MOGENS BERG, LENNART WING and ORJAN PERSSON as likely candidates.
“This trio, along with Finn Dossing, revolutionised United in the mid-60s,” commented George.
“Jerry Kerr is to be applauded for finding these gems.”
If you want to nominate any more former United greats, just get in touch — and tell me why.
A PASSION FOR SURVIVAL
Steve Gracie’s long-awaited book — “A PASSION FOR SURVIVAL” — is, at last, in the bookshops.
It’s the first of three phases of Dundee United’s history, and covers the period from their founding in 1909 up to 1945.
In Steve’s own words, the book is very detailed and chronicles the early years of Dundee Hibernian/Dundee United from the humble beginnings and through two world wars.
However, the club came through these difficult times because the men who ran their club had a passion for the survival of Dundee United.
The author has been a lifelong fan. After a career in the finance industry, he retired through ill health in 2001 — and now works for the Tannadice club in various voluntary capacities.
Steve (see photo below) has devoted thousands of hours researching this book — and the result is a work that gives the reader an invaluable reference source.
BwB has six of the books to give away.
All you have to do is phone 09018 020 020. When prompted, leave your name (spelling out your surname), address (including your postcode) and telephone number.
The successful six will be chosen after the closing date of noon on Monday, and calls should cost no more than 10p.
