2015

In 2015, the Club inducted the following players into the Hall of Fame:- Derek Stark, Jim McInally, Mixu Paatelainen, Christian Dailly, Pat Reilly and Jim McLean.

DEREK STARK
Total Apps: 247  Goals: 11

Derek was a schoolboy international who joined United on a provisional contract from Glenrothes Juniors in 1975. A cultured tough tackling defender who was just as capable in midfield, he was drafted into the squad for season 1976-77 and became a regular in the reserve line up. He made his first team debut a year later in August 1977 against East Fife in a friendly. Another season developing in the reserves brought a first appearance in major competition in May 1978, in a league match against Clydebank. From the start of the next season, Derek was established in the defence and for six years he was a regular in the side.

JIM MCINALLY
Total Apps: 395   Goals: 22

Jim had been at Celtic, Dundee (loan), Nottingham Forest and Coventry City before he joined United in May 1986, in the same deal that brought Dave Bowman to Tannadice. He became a regular in the side for nine years, collecting runners-up medals in the UEFA Cup and in three Scottish Cups before he finally collected a winner’s medal in 1994. Already a youth international, he achieved full international recognition while he was with United, winning ten full Scotland caps and was also capped at Under-21 level as an over age player. Jim left to join Raith Rovers in 1995 but a year later he was back with United for a second spell, and in June 1997 he joined Dundee

MIXU PAATELAINEN
Total Apps: 173   Goals: 47

Mixu signed from Valkeakosken Haka. He had played for his native Finland at Olympic and Under-21 level and went on to become a full internationmal. Mixu was very quickly established as a first team regular. In the 1988 Scottish Cup final he collected a runners-up medal and was top scorer in the next two seasons He continued to command a regular place in the squad for two more years. In March 1992 he moved on, joining Aberdeen for £400,000

CHRISTIAN DAILLY
Total Apps: 177   Goals: 21

Christian was a part of the successful BP Youth Cup sides in 1990 and 1991. On 25th August 1990 he made his debut to become the youngest player to play in the Scottish League Premier Division. By 1993-94, he was a regular in the United line up and collected a Scottish Cup winners medal that same season. He spent two more years at Tannadice during which he experienced both relegation and promotion.

Starting as a forward, Christian evolved into a defensive player throughout his time with United and in July 1996, he moved to Derby County for a fee reported to be around £1million. He went on to have a successful career at full international level with Scotland, winning 67 caps, scoring six goals and captaining the national side a dozen times.

PAT REILLY
Manager: June 1909 - April 1915 and December 1917 - December 1922.

The driving force behind the formation of Dundee Hibernian Football Club, Reilly became the Club's first ever Manager in June 1909.

Having previously worked in the jute mills, Reilly started up his own bicycle manufacturing business at the age of 21, and was part of a group of Dundee businessmen who pulled together to form the Club.

With no experience as a footballer, he became the Club's secretary/manager, and his determination gained the Club a place in the Scottish League set up. Reilly then went on to build a team who consolidated themselves in Division Two up until the outbreak of the First World War.

He guided the Club to their first silverware, winning several local Cup competitions, and lead them to their first national final, the Qualifying Cup in 1913.

Handing over management duties to Herbert Dainty in 1915, Reilly remained as Club secretary, but returned to the joint role again in 1917 when Dainty resigned.

After Herbert Dainty's resignation in 1917, Pat Reilly returned to his joint role as secretary/manager as the Club played in the Eastern League during the First World War.

When the War came to an end in 1918, the Scottish League refused to reinstate Division Two and Dundee Hibs continued to compete in the Eastern League, becoming champions in 1920.

In 1921, Dundee Hibs returned to Scottish League football, but by finishing second bottom of Division Two they failed to be re-elected for the following season.

In 1922, Dundee Hibs were facing severe financial difficulties, and the board - including Reilly - stepped aside so that the Club could take a new direction.

Reilly remained a shareholder and an ever present in the stand at Tannadice until his death from pneumonia aged 63 in 1937.

JIM MCLEAN
Manager: December 1971 - May 1993.

Unquestionably, the most successful manager in the Club's history, and unlikely to ever be surpassed.

Jim was an inside forward with Hamilton Academical and Clyde before joining Dundee in 1965, ironically making his debut in the 5-0 defeat to United on 11 September. He moved on to Kilmarnock in 1968, before returning to Dens Park as a coach in 1970.

When Jerry Kerr retired as Dundee United manager in 1971 after 12 years at Tannadice, the United board surprisingly offered the position to 34 year-old McLean, who accepted the job as his first managerial role.

McLean's original philosophy was to produce his own young players through a Youth programme, and complimented them with more experienced players brought in from around Scotland.

After a rocky start, he led the Club to its first ever Scottish Cup Final in 1974, and in 1979 he guided the team to its first ever major honour, the League Cup. The team retained the trophy the following year as Cup Finals became a regular occurrence.

The highlight of his tenure at the Club was the 1982/83 season, where the team fought off challenges from Celtic and Aberdeen to win the Premier Division for the first and so far only time.

Under McLean, the Club became known throughout Europe, reaching the Semi-Finals of the European Cup in 1984, and the UEFA Cup Final in 1987.

Whilst still in his role as manager, McLean was made director in 1984 and became Club Chairman in 1988. Staying on at boardroom level, he retired as manager in 1993, after an incredible 21 years and seven months in the hot seat.