One of Manager Jim McLean's first steps was to introduce a co-ordinated youth policy and this proved to be the cornerstone of United's success of the next two decades. As the seventies drew to a close Jim McLean ended seventy barren years by guiding the club to their first major honour when they annexed the Scottish League Cup in 1979/80. The trophy was retained the following season and a second final appearance that term ended in disappointment when Rangers beat them in the Scottish Cup replay.

Arguably United's best season came in 1982-83 when they won the Premier Division title with what was then a record number of points and record number of goals scored. By then United had already established a reputation in Europe with wins over sides like Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven, Werder Bremen, Borussia Moenchengladbach, Monaco and Anderlecht.

In their first tilt at the European Cup, United reached the semi-final, only to be narrowly eliminated by AS Roma.

The zenith of their achievements in Europe came in 1986-87 when United became the first Scottish club to reach the final of the UEFA Cup. If, unfortunately, it was a case of failure when they failed to beat Gothenburg of Sweden in the two legged final, there was glory in defeat as FIFA bestowed a first-ever Fair Play Award on the club for the sporting behaviour of the United fans on a memorable night at Tannadice.

John Clark scores - Dundee United V Gothenburg 1987

By way of illustrating the strides made by Dundee United in recent times you need only look at the number of players honoured at international level. As late as 1977, no player from Dundee United had ever been capped by Scotland. Dave Narey then became the first of many to wear the dark blue of Scotland. The others to follow in his footsteps were Paul Hegarty, Paul Sturrock, Eamonn Bannon, Davie Dodds, Richard Gough, Maurice Malpas (a member of Scotland's Hall of Fame), Kevin Gallacher, Jimmy McInally, Dave Bowman, Duncan Ferguson, Billy McKinlay and Billy Dodds.

Dundee United have come a very long way in four decades, progressing from comparative obscurity to become one of Scotland's foremost clubs. Almost all this has been achieved by one man - Jim McLean. However, after nearly 22 years at the helm he relinquished the position in June 1993, whilst remaining Chairman of the Club at the time.

Filling his shoes was the first continental to be appointed manager of a Scottish club - Ivan Golac. The former Southampton, Bournemouth and Manchester City full-back and Yugoslav internationalist inherited a healthy legacy with some of Scotland's finest young talent, though his first action was to sell Duncan Ferguson to Rangers for a fee of £3.75 million, breaking the record transfer fee involving two British clubs.

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