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SPORTS HISTORY BLOG

Over 250 articles on all aspects of Scottish sport

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Thirty years ago I travelled to Gothenburg to see Dundee United in the UEFA Cup final. I wasn't a supporter of the team, but simply went to support a Scottish team in a European final - just as I had done to see Aberdeen lift the Cup Winners Cup in the same stadium in 1983.
   A couple of weeks later I went to the return leg at Tannadice. Sadly, the Swedes triumphed 2-1 on aggregate, and the only consolation for United was a fair play award to recognise their fans' outstanding behaviour.
   I took my camera to both games, and documented the supporters in Gothenburg. A few of them have been used in a new TV documentary, as BBC Alba have commissioned a film about Dundee United's exploits in 1987. Entitled Tannadice 87, it will be broadcast on 20 May at 9pm, and on iPlayer after that. 
   In advance of that, here are some of my photos, which have never been published before. I hope they bring back happy memories of a lost generation of Scottish football - a time when a small provincial club could beat Barcelona home and away, and dare to believe they could be European champions.
   All photos are copyright - no copying please!
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Paul Hegarty and John Holt take a stroll in Gothenburg with their partners on the day of the game.

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The teams come out for the first leg

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Kick-off in the Gothenburg sunshine

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Banners fly pre-match at Tannadice

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The teams come out for the second leg at Tannadice

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Paul Sturrock and his team mates surge forward into attack

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That sinking feeling for Jim McInally as Gothenburg score

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The Gothenburg players celebrate at the final whistle. A 1-1 draw at Tannadice game them a 2-1 aggregate victory.

2 Comments
Bryan wylie - 9 years ago
Fantastic memories of being in gothenburg that night. We managed to get a good deal with a company for accomodation. Log cabins on a camp site haha. The captain let us stay on the boat the first night when we arrived which allowed us to hit the bars almost straight away. Fantastic trip and well done on the photos.
Helen Montgomery - 9 years ago
Fabulous memories - was at Tannadice with my two young sons and the camaraderie was a joy to be part of - thanks

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All blog posts, unless stated, are written by Andy Mitchell.