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24th December 2024
As we continue our United for 100 Years celebrations, we’re asking supporters to vote for their ultimate UTD100 starting XI - and the first name on the teamsheet is Hamish McAlpine!
Vote for the heroes you'd like to see us include on our X feed!
McAlpine, born in 1948, began his football journey at Butterburn Youth Club and Dundee North End, earning a Scotland youth cap.
He joined the Terrors in 1966 before spending time on loan at Montrose the following year. By 1970/71, he became the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, holding that position throughout the decade under manager Jim McLean.
Not only excelling between the sticks, McAlpine notched four career goals, three coming from the penalty spot.
McAlpine played a crucial role in United's successes, including the club’s first major honour, the 1979/80 Scottish League Cup, and the retention of the trophy 12 months later. In 1983, he contributed to United's first Scottish Premier League title, recording 17 clean sheets during the season.
Furthermore, he was a key cog in United's rise on the European stage, appearing in 40 consecutive ties and reaching the 1983/84 European Cup semi-finals.
The stopper’s remarkable and consistent performances earned him the Scottish Football Writers' Association's Footballer of the Year in 1985.
Despite not earning a full international cap, he was a beloved figure at Tannadice, celebrated in the song "Hamish the Goalie" by Michael Marra. He was inducted into our Hall of Fame in 2009.
