Dundee United Legends - Week One - Dave Narey What better place to start our journey back in time to find the greatest players to ever play for our famous club than with the greatest of them all, the one and only, (Sir) Dave Narey. The very backbone of the great United sides of the late 70s and throughout the 80s, Dave Narey oozed class. Widely regarded as one of the most naturally talented footballers to ever play for the club and the greatest player that this fine city has ever produced. Indeed Narey was a local lad, born and raised in Dundee and was educated at St Johns RC High School. He was signed by United on an Schoolboys form in 1972 at the age of 15 and signed professionally the following year. He made his full debut for the club at Tannadice in a league match against Falkirk on November 21st 1973, playing as an attacking midfielder, although he would go on to become a full-international centre-half. Dave soon became a regular in the Dundee United side of the mid to late 70s under the management of Jim McLean and was forming a successful defensive partnership with club captain Paul Hegarty. In 1977 he became the first ever United player to receive a full international cap for Scotland. He went onto make 35 appearances for his country and it would have been many more had he not played at a time when Scotland were blessed with a number of talented centre-halves. He only scored 1 goal in his 35 full international appearances but that goal is perhaps what he is best remembered for. Davie Nareys toe poke against the famous Brazil at the 1982 World Cup Finals has gone down in Tartan Army folklore as one of the greatest Scotland goals ever, although Jimmy Hill would probably disagree with that. In 1979, Narey received his first winners medal after helping the club win their first ever trophy, the League Cup after defeating New Firm rivals Aberdeen 3-0 at Dens Park. In 1980, United retained the trophy on the same ground, this time defeating city rivals Dundee 3-0 on their own turf, again Narey was at the heart of the United defence. In the 1982/83 season Narey played a key role as United defied all the odds to claim the Scottish Premier Division Title on the last day of the season with a famous 2-1 win over Dundee at Dens. Narey won the decisive spot-kick which Eamonn Bannon converted that proved to be the league winning goal. Following the League Championship success, United found themselves in the European Cup and Narey was part of the side that reached the semi-finals of the competition, eventually being knocked out 3-2 on aggregate by AS Roma. In the 1986/87 season United went on a now legendary UEFA Cup run which saw them reaching the final of the competition. Paul Hegarty missed a large spell of the season due to injury and in his absence Narey took over the role of team captain. On the way to final United recorded 2 famous victories over Catalonian giants Barcelona. Captained by Dave Narey, United incredibly won 2-1 at Camp Nou in the 2nd leg. Unfortunately United could not go all the way, running out of steam at the end of a long season and lost both the two legged UEFA Cup Final and at the Scottish Cup Final sandwiched inbetween. Narey remained part of the side for the remainder of the decade and into the early 90s. As age caught up with him he began to play less often but memorably started against Motherwell at Fir Park in the Scottish Cup 4th round replay in 1994 and played superbly at the age of 37. Although United went onto lift the Scottish Cup at the end of the season, Narey did not play in the final and at the end of the season it was announced that he would be released at the end of the season. After leaving United, Narey joined First Division Raith Rovers and was part of the team that won promotion to the Premier Division as champions. He also played in the Raith team that defeated Celtic in the 1994 League Cup Final, winning the man of the match award for his performance. Narey retired from professional football at the end of the 1994/95 season. With a Dundee United career spanning 22 years, making 872 appearances and scoring 36 goals, there is no doubt that Dave Narey is one of the all-time Tannadice greats. As part of one of the greatest Dundee United sides ever, Narey collected 3 winners medals in his time at the club and that could easily have been so many more had it not been for Uniteds dreadful luck in cup finals. In 1992, Dave Narey received an MBE for his services to football, an honour few Scottish footballers have received. Nareys talent, skill, determination, loyalty and pure class make him a true Dundee United legend. Dave Narey Dundee United Career Stats Appearances - 872 Goals - 36 International Caps - 35 Honours - League Cup Winner 1979/80, League Cup Winner 1980/81, Scottish Premier League Winner 1982/83.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 20:08:31 +0000
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