Tributes paid to former Tangerine brothers

Dundee United: Jimmy Coyle passes away only weeks after brother Johnny

Tributes have been paid to former Dundee United winger Jimmy Coyle who has died just weeks after the death of his brother and Tannadice legend, Johnny.

A winger by trade, Jimmy, who was 79, joined the Arabs in 1955.

Though he left the club in 1957, Jimmy made quite an impression for United, netting eight times in 35 appearances.

Jimmy’s first goals for the club, against Alloa in September 1955, came in a match in which brother Johnny also scored.

Johnny, the elder of the two brothers, sadly passed away last month.

The United hall of fame member scored 112 goals in just 132 matches.

Johnny, who was inducted into the Tannadice club’s hall of fame in 2009, netted 43 times in season 1955/1956.

His impressive feat remains a club record.

Former player Davie Sturrock, who played with both brothers, said that both deserved to be remembered as club greats.

He said: “I mostly played with Jimmy. We came through from the under-16s of St Mary’s youth club together.

“There were five of us who came from St Mary’s at the same time.

“Jimmy didn’t play as much as Johnny, but he was a fast player and a good winger. He scored a lot of goals for a winger too.”

Davie continued: “Jim was a joiner by trade and was quite a quiet lad.

“It’s a sad day. Johnny only died a few weeks back. It’s unbelievable.”

Dundee United fans’ chief Mike Barile said: “I met Jimmy and Johnny in 2009 at a hall of fame event and they were great company.

“I took them out onto the park and introduced them to the fans.

“They got such a good reception from the supporters as well.”

A spokesman for Dundee United said: “The club is saddened to hear of the passing of Jimmy Coyle, brother of the legendary hall of famer Johnny Coyle who died last month.

“After signing for the club on June 27 1955, Jimmy played as a winger for two seasons, 1955/56 and 1956/57, making 35 appearances and scoring eight goals.”

“Jimmy made quite an impression, netting eight times in 35 appearances

Brothers Jimmy, left, and Johnny Coyle, who had both sadly died within weeks of each other.