World War I measures led to first ‘real’ derby

one-year visit a couple of seasons later but, while in the campaigns immediately before and after World War II saw meetings in the second tier, there wouldn’t be another top division clash until 1960.

And it’s fair to say it was during the 60s, once United were established as a top flight force, the derby rivalry as it’s known now was forged.

If a list of the major Dundee-United clashes was to be drawn up, the top picks would come during the second half-century of the rivalry. As they have over the series as a whole, United hold a clear advantage in those games.

Silverware was up for grabs when the pair met at Dens Park, the venue being decided by a coin toss, for the 1980 League Cup Final.

Jim McLean’s team defended the trophy they’d won a year earlier against Aberdeen, running out 3-0 winners thanks to two goals from Paul Sturrock and an opener from strike partner Davie Dodds.

Three years on there was even greater joy when the Tangerines clinched the Premier League title via a 2-1 last-day success over the Dark Blues at Dens.

And although Dundee ran them close, when the city’s footballing public decanted to Edinburgh for the Scottish Cup semi-final at Tynecastle in 1987, United triumphed i n a five-goal thriller.

More recently, and back at Dens, two years ago home fans took great joy in seeing their old enemy relegated from the Premiership confirmed via a 2-1 defeat.

That led to the fixture taking another enforced break until this term’s League Cup clashes and, if United fans took bragging rights from a drawn group match that saw them earn a bonus point from a penalty shoot-out, Dundee fans had the last laugh when the sides were drawn together at the first knockout stage and their team won 2-1.

The Dark Blues celebrate Craig Wighton’s last-minute winner to put the final nail in the Tangerines relegation coffin in May, 2016.