United legends to help launch book celebrating 1987 Uefa Cup venture

Four Dundee United legends will help to launch a book celebrating the club’s remarkable run to the Uefa Cup final in 1987.

Dave Narey, Paul Hegarty, John Holt and Dave Bowman will sign copies of the new book, which has been edited and produced by Courier staff to mark the 30-year anniversary.

The Final Countdown: The Complete Story Of Dundee United’s 1986/87 Campaign, uses scans of The Courier archives to tell how Jim McLean defied the odds to lead his team to a major European final – beating the giants of Barcelona and Borussia Moenchengladbach along the way.

As well as having it signed by some of the players involved at the time, fans who buy a copy at Monday’s official launch at the club shop will be able to enjoy a free stadium tour.

Courier online editor Richard Rooney, who produced the book with graphic designer Gus Proctor, said: “Fans rightly look back on 1987 as one of the proudest moments in the club’s history.

“Although United ultimately lost to IFK Gothenburg in the final, the triumphs along the way and the manner in which the supporters applauded the winners has entered European football folklore.

“As the local morning paper, no one covered the whole season in as much depth as The Courier.

“It has been a real pleasure to delve through the archives and bring new life to our remarkable coverage.”

The book features a foreword by former club captain Hegarty as he recalls how United’s fans were hailed as the best in Europe.

The official launch is at the club shop, beside Tannadice Park, from 1pm on Monday May 22.

As well as being on sale from United’s shop, the book, which costs £14.99, is available from the DC Thomson offices in Meadowside and can be ordered and delivered in the UK and overseas from

www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk.