The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Like father, like son: Harvey and Christian join select United club
The welcome sight of young Harvey Dailly making his debut for Dundee United will have evoked fond memories of his father Christian’s time at Tannadice.
The 18-year-old started at left-back for the Tangerines in their 2-0 Irn-Bru Cup win over Cowdenbeath on Tuesday night.
Christian, of course, had an illustrious career at United, making no fewer than 177 appearances and scoring 21 times for the club.
Harvey’s appearance came 27 years after his dad made his debut aged just 16 in a 3-0 away win over Alloa in the League Cup on August 21 1990.
There have been other notable father and son combinations at Tannadice.
Frank and Scott Kopel
Scott Kopel, son of the legendary Frank, played just the once for United, in a Uefa Cup tie against Icelandic side Harfnarfjordur on October 3 1990.
His father was a feature of the Jim McLean era and played 407 times in a United career that spanned a decade from 1972 to 1982.
His highlight was the wonder goal he scored against Anderlecht in the Uefa Cup on October 2 1979 to send United through on away goals.
Paddy and Aidan Connolly
Aidan Connolly, son of fans’ favourite Paddy, was another to follow in his father’s footsteps.
He played 35 times for United after making his debut as a sub in a 3-1 home league win over Motherwell on February 21 2014.
Paddy played for the Tannadice men no fewer than 144 times, scoring 40 goals, after being signed by McLean in the summer of 1986.
He scored the infamous “goal that never was” against Partick Thistle on February 13 1993.
Jim and Alan Irvine
Jim Irvine was a stalwart of the Jerry Kerr era at Tannadice. He made 160 appearances and was a prolific scorer with 76 goals.
The forward made his debut in 1959 and left in 1964. Jim was is a member of the club’s Hall of Fame and made a huge impression on United.
Sadly, the same can’t be said of his son Alan. A former Liverpool striker, hopes were high when he joined in August 1987. However, he made just eight appearances and was gone six months later to Shrewsbury Town.
Close but not quite
There have been some near-things, too.
One of the club’s greats, Paul Sturrock, was almost followed by son Blair, who was on the books from 1998 to 2001 without making his debut.
Also, current Tannadice goalkeeping coach Stuart Garden’s son Jordan, a striker, was released in the summer without making his first-team breakthrough.