Dundee derby


The Dundee derby is the title given to any football match contested between Dundee and Dundee United, the two professional football clubs in the city of Dundee, Scotland. The first competitive fixture between the sides was held at Dens Park in the 1917–18 season.
Due to Dundee's smaller population and size, especially in comparison to the Edinburgh derby and Glasgow's Old Firm, it is considered a friendlier rivalry; families are split in terms of the club they support, and both groups of fans are known to socialise on match days. It is also a notable derby geographically, as both clubs are located just 183 metres apart, making them the closest city rivals in Britain and the second-closest city rivals in world football after IFK Malmö and Malmö FF in Sweden.

History

Dundee is the older of the two, having been founded in 1893, compared to Dundee United which was founded in 1909 as Dundee Hibernian following the demise of Dundee Harp, a club founded by Irish immigrants in 1879. While United's origins stem from Irish immigration, the rivalry is not sectarian in the manner of the Old Firm.
Dundee had long been the more successful club, playing more seasons in the top flight than their rivals and winning one League title, one Scottish Cup and three League Cups before United lifted a major trophy. However, from the 1970s under Jim McLean the tide turned in the city's footballing rivalry. United would go on to be a major force in Scottish football in the 1980s, winning their first three major honours at Dens Park including a League Cup win against Dundee in 1980; the 1983 league title was also won there. Their rivalry with Aberdeen, who also lifted several trophies during the period, was entitled the New Firm. In 1994 United won their first Scottish Cup, and their second in 2010, in doing so drawing level with Dundee on five major trophies won.
The two grounds are the closest football grounds in Britain and with it a unique rivalry has developed, though it is one often deemed more amicable than most; similar to the Merseyside derby, Derby della Madonnina in Milan, and the Derby della Lanterna of Genoa with many families split down the middle in support.
The two clubs even had a combined hooligan 'firm', known as the Dundee Utility, which was formed to stand up to the larger firms of the Glasgow and Edinburgh clubs.

Statistics

Head-to-head

In head-to-head, United are quite far in front; the teams have played each other 179 times, Dundee United winning 83 compared to Dundee's 51. A total of 45 matches have ended in a stalemate. Dundee United have won more league, Scottish Cup and League Cup matches.
TeamLeagueScottish CupLeague CupTotalGoals
Dundee wins434552231
Dundee United wins688783297
Draws347445

League placing comparison

1975–2000

2000–2025

Honours

Both clubs have won five major Scottish football trophies.

Team records

The following are records just for the Dundee derby itself:
  • The longest unbeaten run in all matches is 13, held by United, this was between December 1979 and September 1983, 11 of these were Wins.
  • The longest unbeaten run in home matches is held by Dundee when United failed to beat them for 14 games between November 1925 and August 1962.
  • The longest unbeaten run in away matches is held by United with a 12 match run at Dens Park between April 1963 and April 1971 which included 8 victories.
  • The longest unbroken winning run in all matches belongs to United with 7 between March 1988 and April 1989.
  • The longest unbroken winning run at home belongs to United with 6 between September 1974 and September 1981.
  • The longest unbroken winning run away from home belongs to United who scored 8 consecutive victories at Dens Park between December 1980 and November 1984.
  • The record home victory in a league match is 5–0 recorded by Dundee at Dens Park in August 1926
  • The record away victory in a league match is 5–0 recorded by United at Dens Park in September 1965.
  • The highest scoring match was in September 1971 when Dundee won 6–4 at Dens Park.
  • Paul Sturrock of United holds the mark for the most derby goals with 14, 2 of these came in United's 3–0 League Cup Final win over Dundee at Dens Park in December 1980.
  • Record Attendance:
  • * 29,106 at Dens Park, 14 May 1983
  • * 21,325 at Tannadice, 3 January 1966
  • Lowest Attendance:
  • * 9,185 at Tannadice, 12 December 1999
  • * 7,645 at Dens Park, 29 January 1994

    Players at both clubs

16 players have signed for Dundee United directly from Dundee, with 10 making the opposite journey from Tannadice to Dens Park. Only players who have played at least one first team game for both clubs are currently included.

Dundee to Dundee United

Dundee United to Dundee

Complete list

In addition, other players have played for both clubs without moving directly between them. A list of all players to have played at least one first-team game for both clubs is displayed below.
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Full game list

Fixtures from 1925 to the present day featuring League games, Scottish Cup and League Cup matches. Friendlies, testimonials and other non-competitive games are not included.
Dundee wins are coloured in blue, United wins in tangerine and draws are grey. Note that United played in white until 1969 but tangerine is used throughout for ease.
DateCompetitionVenueResultCrowdScorers Scorers
21 Nov 1925Division OneDens0–018,000——
4 Jan 1926Division OneTannadice0–120,059McLean—
28 Aug 1926Division OneDens5–020,000Andy Campbell, Jim Meagher—
3 Jan 1927Division OneTannadice1–020,000—Jock Kay
4 Feb 1928Scottish Cup round 2Tannadice3–320,365Lawley, Whitlow Jacky Kay, Hutchison
8 Feb 1928Scottish Cup round 2Dens1–012,839Willie O'Hare—
16 Feb 1929Scottish Cup round 3Dens1–124,000LawleyHutchison
20 Feb 1929Scottish Cup round 3Tannadice1–014,000—Henderson
31 Aug 1929Division OneDens1–014,200Frank Townrow—
11 Jan 1930Division OneTannadice0–116,000Andy Campbell—
12 Sep 1931Division OneDens1–117,000Andy CampbellBrant
2 Jan 1932Division OneTannadice0–316,000Andy Campbell, Davie Balfour—
17 Sep 1938Division TwoTannadice3–010,523—Woolley, Meikleham
18 Mar 1939Division TwoDens2–012,500McGillivray, Bobby Wilson—
24 Aug 1946Division TwoTannadice1–221,000Juliussen, TurnbullMackay
1 Jan 1947Division TwoDens2–024,000Turnbull, Ernie Ewen—
27 Jan 1951Scottish Cup round 1Dens2–238,000Boyd, Ernie EwenMcKay, Dunsmore
31 Jan 1951Scottish Cup round 1Tannadice0–122,000Steel—
4 Feb 1956Scottish Cup round 5Tannadice2–220,000Ian Stables, MerchantMilne
8 Feb 1956Scottish Cup round 5Dens3–017,000Merchant, Ian Stables, Henderson—
12 Sep 1956League Cup QF-1Dens7–320,000Black, George Christie, Jimmy Chalmers,
George O'Hara, Merchant		Sturrock, Reid
15 Sep 1956League Cup QF-2Tannadice2–114,000MerchantReid, Milne
17 Sep 1960Division OneTannadice3–120,000PenmanBriggs, Campbell
7 Jan 1961Division OneDens3–022,000Wishart, Adamson—
9 Sep 1961Division OneDens4–118,765Penman, Smith, Briggs, RobertsonGillespie
9 Apr 1962Division OneTannadice1–221,138Gilzean Irvine
11 Aug 1962League Cup Group 2Tannadice3–222,917Gilzean Carlyle, Irvine
25 Aug 1962League Cup Group 2Dens2–118,493Smith Irvine
15 Sep 1962Division OneTannadice1–115,627CousinCarlyle
17 Apr 1963Division OneDens1–214,967WaddellMochan, Mitchell
14 Sep 1963Division OneDens1–120,945GilzeanMitchell
2 Jan 1964Division OneTannadice2–121,255GilzeanMitchell
8 Aug 1964League Cup Group 4Dens2–316,773Penman, WaddellGillespie, Thom, Munro
22 Aug 1964League Cup Group 4Tannadice2–114,519StuartGraham, Munro
12 Sep 1964Division OneTannadice1–416,838Cousin, Waddell, Scott Thom
24 Mar 1965Division OneDens2–416,958Cooke, CameronPersson, Gillespie, Døssing
18 Aug 1965League Cup Group 1Dens0–023,095——
1 Sep 1965League Cup Group 1Tannadice1–318,705Cameron, MurrayMitchell
11 Sep 1965Division OneDens0–515,058—Døssing, Gillespie, Wing
3 Jan 1966Division OneTannadice2–121,325MurrayMitchell, Seemann
13 Aug 1966League Cup Group 1Tannadice2–013,867—Persson, Hainey
27 Aug 1966League Cup Group 1Dens1–110,087PenmanHainey
17 Sep 1966Division OneTannadice1–410,198Cameron, Penman, McKayMitchell
3 Jan 1967Division OneDens2–317,286Scott, BryceGraham
16 Sep 1967Division OneDens2–213,186McLean, ScottBriggs, Millar
2 Jan 1968Division OneTannadice0–014,014——
14 Sep 1968Division OneTannadice3–113,942GeorgesonMitchell, Wood, Cameron
2 Jan 1969Division OneDens1–219,549BryceMitchell, Hogg
20 Sep 1969Division OneDens1–211,888WallaceGordon, Gillespie
3 Jan 1970Division OneTannadice4–116,891WallaceCameron, og, Wilson
12 Sep 1970Division OneTannadice3–212,319Gilroy, ScottCameron, Gillespie, Gordon
5 Apr 1971Division OneDens2–311,590Scott, SteeleCameron, Gordon, Reid
11 Sep 1971Division OneDens6–413,818Bryce, Scott, Wallace Gordon, Rolland, Smith
3 Jan 1972Division OneTannadice1–116,954SteeleCameron
16 Sep 1972Division OneTannadice2–112,071FordGardner, White
6 Jan 1973Division OneDens3–013,570Duncan, Houston—
15 Sep 1973Division OneDens0–112,092—Smith
5 Jan 1974Division OneTannadice1–212,087Duncan Gardner
14 Sep 1974Division OneTannadice3–010,857—Gray, Munro
4 Jan 1975Division OneDens2–016,184Wallace, Anderson—
18 Oct 1975Premier DivisionTannadice1–211,327Wallace, Wilson HogganHouston
20 Dec 1975Premier DivisionDens0–09,957——
28 Feb 1976Premier DivisionTannadice1–010,199—McAdam
21 Apr 1976Premier DivisionDens2–113,768Gemmell, SinclairHall
11 Aug 1979Premier DivisionTannadice3–017,968—Sturrock, Kirkwood, Stark
20 Oct 1979Premier DivisionDens1–016,305Sinclair—
22 Dec 1979Premier DivisionTannadice2–015,431—Holt, Pettigrew
30 Jan 1980Scottish Cup round 3Tannadice5–118,604PiriePettigrew, Sturrock
1 Mar 1980Premier DivisionDens1–115,110ShirraSturrock
6 Dec 1980League Cup FinalDens0–324,466—Dodds, Sturrock
12 Sep 1981Premier DivisionTannadice5–215,696I. Ferguson, MackieKirkwood, Sturrock, Milne, Bannon
14 Nov 1981Premier DivisionDens1–315,578I. FergusonMilne, Sturrock
10 Mar 1982Premier DivisionTannadice1–113,790I. FergusonMcKimmie
3 Apr 1982Premier DivisionDens0–212,602—Bannon, Sturrock
30 Oct 1982Premier DivisionTannadice1–014,959—Dodds
1 Jan 1983Premier DivisionDens0–218,109—Milne
12 Mar 1983Premier DivisionTannadice5–313,448Fraser, I. Ferguson, KiddGough, Reilly, Hegarty, Dodds
14 May 1983Premier DivisionDens1–229,106I. FergusonMilne, Bannon
3 Sep 1983Premier DivisionDens1–413,651McCallReilly, Milne, Stark
5 Nov 1983Premier DivisionTannadice0–114,813Mackie—
2 Apr 1984Premier DivisionDens2–512,732I. Ferguson Malpas, Reilly, Dodds, Bannon, Milne
21 Apr 1984Premier DivisionTannadice1–113,244McCallClark
8 Sep 1984Premier DivisionTannadice3–414,190McWilliams, McKinlay, Harris, BrownClark, Sturrock
10 Nov 1984Premier DivisionDens0–214,423—Gough, Coyne
3 Apr 1985Premier DivisionTannadice4–015,167—Bannon, Sturrock, Taylor, Dodds
11 May 1985Premier DivisionDens1–013,426Connor—
24 Aug 1985Premier DivisionTannadice2–013,736—Beedie, Sturrock
16 Nov 1985Premier DivisionDens0–311,736—Hegarty, Kirkwood
28 Dec 1985Premier DivisionTannadice0–014,869——
29 Mar 1986Premier DivisionDens0–115,079—Gough
6 Sep 1986Premier DivisionDens0–212,379—Milne, Bannon
8 Nov 1986Premier DivisionTannadice0–311,728Harvey, Shannon—
10 Mar 1987Premier DivisionDens1–111,615BrownGallacher
28 Mar 1987Premier DivisionTannadice1–112,220RaffertyGlennie
11 Apr 1987Scottish Cup semi-finalTynecastle3–213,319Coyne, WrightI. Ferguson, Hegarty
2 Sep 1987League Cup quarter-finalDens2–1
a.e.t.		19,867Coyne, WrightI. Ferguson
3 Oct 1987Premier DivisionDens1–111,497CoyneI. Ferguson
28 Nov 1987Premier DivisionTannadice1–313,626Coyne, WrightClark
16 Jan 1988Premier DivisionDens0–213,644—Paatelainen, Bannon
12 Mar 1988Scottish Cup quarter-finalDens0–019,355——
15 Mar 1988Scottish Cup quarter-finalTannadice2–2
a.e.t. 		19,102Harvey Bannon
28 Mar 1988Scottish Cup quarter-final r2Dens0–319,152—McLeod, Redford, I. Ferguson
2 Apr 1988Premier DivisionTannadice1–013,876—French
3 Sep 1988Premier DivisionDens0–314,927—Paatelainen, Gallacher
5 Nov 1988Premier DivisionTannadice2–014,882—Meade, Paatelainen
7 Jan 1989Premier DivisionDens0–116,332—French
28 Jan 1989Scottish Cup round 3Dens1–218,117AngusBowman, Meade
8 Apr 1989Premier DivisionTannadice2–111,912SaundersSturrock, Gallacher
19 Aug 1989Premier DivisionDens4–313,623Wright, McBrideMalpas, O'Neill, Paatelainen
28 Oct 1989Premier DivisionTannadice0–011,528——
30 Dec 1989Premier DivisionDens1–112,805ChisholmJackson
20 Jan 1990Scottish Cup round 3Dens0–014,276——
23 Jan 1990Scottish Cup round 3Tannadice1–015,503—Clark
24 Mar 1990Premier DivisionTannadice1–211,918Wright, ShannonConnolly
13 Mar 1991Scottish Cup quarter-finalTannadice3–116,228DoddsMcKinnon, Jackson, D. Ferguson
19 Sep 1992Premier DivisionTannadice0–112,622Dodds—
21 Nov 1992Premier DivisionDens1–311,116DoddsBollan, Connolly, Clark
27 Feb 1993Premier DivisionTannadice1–012,140—D. Ferguson
20 Apr 1993Premier DivisionDens0–49,589—Connolly, Dailly, Bollan
11 Sep 1993Premier DivisionTannadice1–010,283—McLaren
7 Dec 1993Premier DivisionDens1–29,256FarninghamBrewster, Connolly
5 Feb 1994Premier DivisionTannadice1–110,622RistićConnolly
29 Mar 1994Premier DivisionDens1–17,645DuffyBrewster
30 Sep 1995First DivisionDens2–310,395Hamilton McKinlay
18 Nov 1995First DivisionTannadice2–310,682Shaw, WieghorstBrewster, Malpas
9 Jan 1996First DivisionDens0–29,199—Winters
16 Mar 1996First DivisionTannadice2–09,669—Brewster, McSwegan
3 Sep 1996League Cup round 3Tannadice2–2
11,839Hamilton Coyle, McSwegan
19 Sep 1998Premier LeagueDens2–212,081Annand, AdamczukMcSwegan, Olofsson
22 Nov 1998Premier LeagueTannadice0–111,230Grady—
2 Jan 1999Premier LeagueDens1–311,751McSkimmingDodds, Thompson, Olofsson
1 May 1999Premier LeagueTannadice0–212,280Irvine, Grady—
31 Jul 1999Premier LeagueTannadice2–111,693FalconerSkoldmark, Ferraz
17 Oct 1999Premier LeagueDens0–29,484—Dodds, Thompson
12 Dec 1999Premier LeagueTannadice1–09,185—Ferraz
6 May 2000Premier LeagueDens3–08,581Falconer, Grady—
20 Sep 2000Premier LeagueDens3–09,838Sara —
11 Nov 2000Premier LeagueTannadice0–211,454Caniggia, Nemsadze—
31 Jan 2001Premier LeagueDens2–311,724Caniggia, FalconerDavidson, Easton, Lauchlan
28 Jul 2001Premier LeagueTannadice2–213,327Sara, RaeMiller, Hamilton
3 Nov 2001Premier LeagueDens1–111,751CarranzaMiller
19 Jan 2002Premier LeagueTannadice1–012,851—McIntyre
20 Apr 2002Premier LeagueDens0–110,087—Wilkie
31 Aug 2002Premier LeagueTannadice0–012,402——
23 Nov 2002Premier LeagueDens3–211,539Caballero, HernandezHamilton, McIntyre
9 Feb 2003Premier LeagueTannadice1–110,457NovoMackay
26 Oct 2003Premier LeagueTannadice1–112,292NovoMcIntyre
25 Jan 2004Premier LeagueDens2–110,747Novo, LovellDodds
11 Apr 2004Premier LeagueTannadice2–29,571Lovell, MilneDodds
15 Aug 2004Premier LeagueTannadice1–211,118Lovell, SuttonArchibald
6 Nov 2004Premier LeagueDens1–09,845Sutton—
29 Jan 2005Premier LeagueTannadice2–212,703McManus, LovellDuff, McIntyre
30 Apr 2005Premier LeagueDens1–211,263LovellWilson, McIntyre
19 Aug 2012Premier LeagueTannadice3–013,538—Gunning, Russell
9 Dec 2012Premier LeagueDens0–311,419—Watson, Daly, Flood
3 Mar 2013Scottish Cup quarter-finalDens1–210,191McAlisterMcLean, Mackay-Steven
17 Mar 2013Premier LeagueTannadice1–110,731ConroyGardyne
21 Sep 2014PremiershipDens1–411,447StewartBilate, Dow, Morris, Watson
24 Sep 2014League Cup round 3Tannadice1–013,041—Fojut
1 Jan 2015PremiershipTannadice6–212,964Stewart, TankulicArmstrong, Mackay-Steven, Erskine, Fojut, Telfer
8 Apr 2015PremiershipDens3–110,515Stewart, McPake, HeffernanÇiftçi
24 May 2015PremiershipTannadice3–010,812—Çiftçi, Spittal
11 Aug 2015PremiershipTannadice2–211,835Stewart, McPakeSpittal
2 Jan 2016PremiershipDens2–111,025Hemmings, RossSpittal
20 Mar 2016PremiershipTannadice2–211,603Hemmings McKay
2 May 2016PremiershipDens2–110,088Gadzhalov, WightonOfere
30 July 2017League Cup Group CDens1–1
10,460O'HaraMcMullan
9 Aug 2017League Cup round 2Dens2–110,472El Bakhtaoui, McGowanKing
30 Aug 2019ChampionshipTannadice6–214,108Hemmings, NelsonButcher, Appéré, Shankland, Harkes, Smith
8 Nov 2019ChampionshipDens0–211,233—Clark, Shankland
27 Dec 2019ChampionshipTannadice1–114,007DorransClark
19 Sept 2021PremiershipTannadice1–012,806—Harkes
1 Feb 2022PremiershipDens0–011,273——
9 Apr 2022PremiershipTannadice2–210,307Mullen, AdamClark, Mulgrew
4 Aug 2024PremiershipTannadice2–212,616Palmer-Houlden, McCowanTrapanovski, Thomson
2 Jan 2025PremiershipDens1–211,585MurrayŠevelj, Dalby
20 Jan 2025Scottish Cup round 4Dens1–09,294Murray—
16 Mar 2025PremiershipTannadice2–413,000McGhee, Tiffoney, MurrayMiddleton, Trapanovski
31 Aug 2025PremiershipDens0–210,750—Sapsford, Dolček
3 Jan 2026PremiershipTannadice0–113,495Hay—
14 Mar 2026PremiershipDens