1979 FROZEN IN TIME
Dundee United travel to Celtic Park today to face a keeper with experience of playing in the World Cup Finals for England.
The Tangerines once had one of their own in their ranks.
Back in 1979, after a falling out with Hamish Mcalpine, Dundee United manager, Jim Mclean, wooed Peter Bonetti out of retirement – and running a guest house on the Isle of Mull – as emergency cover.
The 37-year-old – who was part of the Three Lions’ 1966 squad, and played in the quarter-final defeat against West Germany in Mexico four years later that saw Sir Alf Ramsey’s men lose their crown – made his debut in a Dundee derby, and kept a clean sheet in a 3-0 win.
Another six games for United followed, during which “The Cat” conceded nine goals, and a 4-1 loss at Cappielow proved to be his last appearance, with Mcalpine getting back in favour with Mclean.
Bonetti moved into coaching, and had spells with England and Chelsea, where he had won the FA Cup in 1970, and the European Cup-winners’ Cup a year later.
He passed away in April, 2020, aged 78.