New Firm (Scotland)

The New Firm is the term used, hailing from the 1980s, to describe the rivalry between Scottish football clubs Aberdeen and Dundee United. Both clubs are located on the east coast of Scotland, in the third and fourth most populous cities respectively.

New Firm
LocaleNorth-east Scotland
TeamsAberdeen and Dundee Utd
Latest meeting2 January 2021
Aberdeen 0–0 Dundee United
2020–21 Scottish Premiership
Statistics
Meetings total236
Most winsAberdeen
Aberdeen
Dundee United

Although not traditionally a derby, with 65 miles separating both teams, the fixture was seen as a North-east of Scotland derby between the two most successful teams in Scotland outside of the Old Firm during the 1980s. Dundee United also have a more traditional rivalry with their close neighbours Dundee.

History

The term originated in the 1980s, when both clubs challenged the Old Firm for domestic trophies.[1] The term was used by Evening Times and The Glasgow Herald.[2][3]

The Old Firm have more often than not been the dominant force in Scottish Football, however throughout the 1980s both Aberdeen and Dundee United were more than a match for them, regularly beating them home and away and winning many of the trophies on offer.

Aberdeen were to win the Scottish Premier Division three times, the Scottish Cup four times, the Scottish League Cup twice, the European Cup Winners' Cup and the European Super Cup, all within the 1980s. In this same period, Dundee United won the Scottish Premier Division once and the Scottish League Cup twice, as well as reaching the Scottish Cup final four times, the 1987 UEFA Cup Final, and the semi-final of the 1983–84 European Cup. Not only were the Old Firm not dominating the title race, but for three seasons in a row, 1983 through to 1985, the league title went to either Aberdeen or Dundee United, meaning for the first time two other teams were dominating Scottish Football.

Both sides' success was limited as they entered the 1990s, with Aberdeen winning both cups in 1989–90, reaching both finals in 1992–93, as well as almost winning the league in 1991, while Dundee United were Scottish Cup finalists in 1991 and finally winners in 1994. However, in the 1994–95 season both sides fought relegation (with United going down), and although Aberdeen won the Scottish League Cup in 1995 and Dundee United the Scottish Cup again in 2010, neither side has managed to be a consistent force for Rangers and Celtic to reckon with, and Aberdeen's league success in 1984–85 is the last time a non-Old Firm club won the Scottish league title.

Since 2010 however, the sides have seen a divergence in fortunes, as Aberdeen capitalised on Rangers' financial issues to win the Scottish League Cup in 2014 and finish runners-up behind Celtic for four years running between 2014–15 and 2017–18 (losing three cup finals to the same club in that period), while Dundee United were relegated from the top flight in 2016 having lost the 2014 Scottish Cup Final to a local rival, St Johnstone.

Domestic head-to-head

In domestic head-to-head matches, the teams have played each other 239 times, Aberdeen winning 96 compared to United's 76.[4] Aberdeen have won more league and Scottish Cup matches while United have won more League Cup matches between the two.

Given their mutual success particularly in the 1980s, it is perhaps surprising that the only major final featuring both clubs is the 1979–80 Scottish League Cup Final, won by Dundee United in a replay at Dens Park after a draw in Glasgow.

After 2 March 2016:[5][6]
TeamLeagueScottish CupLeague CupTotal
Aberdeen7611996
Draw539567
Dundee United5961176
Totals1882625239

League competition

Scottish Premiership Table (2013/14-present - 5 Seasons)

As of 16 May 2018:
Club Seasons Played W D L GF GA GD Pts
Aberdeen51901113049302191111363
Dundee United3114412251168176-8142

SPL Table (1998/99-2012/13 - 15 Seasons)

Club Seasons Played W D L GF GA GD Pts
Aberdeen15566188143235651785-134707
Dundee United15566173162231674845-171681

European competition
As of 9 August 2012:
TeamTPWDLFA
Dundee United26110463034168116
Aberdeen27109442837160130

Players at both clubs

Nine players have signed for Dundee United directly from Aberdeen, the last being in 2000. Ten have made the opposite journey from Tannadice to Pittodrie, with five since August 2005.

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.

Player records
A list of players to have scored in derby matches between the two from 27 August 1994 up to 2 May 2015 is below:

Partial game list

Fixtures from 27 August 1994 to the present day featuring League games, Scottish Cup and League Cup matches.[26][27] Aberdeen wins are coloured in red, United wins in tangerine and draws are grey.

DateCompetitionVenueResultCrowdScorers (Aberdeen)Scorers (United)
27 August 19941994–95 Scottish Premier DivisionTannadice
2–1
9,332GrantWelsh, Brewster
29 October 19941994–95 Scottish Premier DivisionPittodrie
3–0
11,744Kane (2), Booth
2 January 19951994–95 Scottish Premier DivisionTannadice
0–0
10,560
6 May 19951994–95 Scottish Premier DivisionPittodrie
2–1
20,124Dodds, ShearerWinters
28 September 19961996–97 Scottish Premier DivisionTannadice
1–0
10,359McSwegan
16 November 19961996–97 Scottish Premier DivisionPittodrie
3–3
13,807Kiriakov, Kombouaré, DoddsMcLaren, Winters, Olofsson
1 January 19971996–97 Scottish Premier DivisionTannadice
4–0
9,736Winters, Pressley (2), Olofsson
15 March 19971996–97 Scottish Premier DivisionPittodrie
1–1
13,645WindassOlofsson
30 August 19971997–98 Scottish Premier DivisionPittodrie
1–1
12,060DoddsWinters
15 October 19971997–98 Scottish League Cup SFTynecastle
1–3
10,456WindassWinters (2), Easton
9 November 19971997–98 Scottish Premier DivisionTannadice
5–0
7,893Olofsson (2), Zetterlund, McLaren, Easton
3 January 19981997–98 Scottish Premier DivisionPittodrie
1–0
17,025Windass
24 January 19981997–98 Scottish Cup R3Tannadice
1–0
11,488Winters
11 April 19981997–98 Scottish Premier DivisionTannadice
0–0
9,155
4 October 19981998–99 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
1–0
8,933McSwegan
28 November 19981998–99 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
0–3
11,964Olofsson, J.Miller, Easton
20 February 19991998–99 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
3–0
8,309Olofsson, Dodds, Hannah
17 April 19991998–99 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
0–4
11,603Dodds (2), J.Miller, Olofsson
18 September 19991999–2000 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
1–2
11,814DowHannah, Dodds
6 November 19991999–2000 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
3–1
8,170SolbergDodds (2), Paterson
27 December 19991999–2000 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
3–1
16,656Zerouali, Belabed, StavrumHannah
13 February 20001999–2000 Scottish League Cup SFDens
1–0
9,500Stavrum
12 March 20001999–2000 Scottish Cup QFTannadice
0–1
6,738Jess
25 March 20001999–2000 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
1–1
6,723StavrumFerraz
23 September 20002000–01 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
3–5
7,699Winters (3), Young, JessEaston, McConalogue, Hannah
17 March 20012000–01 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
1–1
8,457WintersC.Miller
4 April 20012000–01 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
4–1
9,962Stavrum (3), YoungGriffin
20 May 20012000–01 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
1–2
11,633StavrumVenetis, Lilley
15 September 20012001–02 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
2–1
12,948Winters, ZeroualiMcIntyre
15 December 20012001–02 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
1–1
9,129WintersEaston
16 February 20022001–02 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
4–0
13,612Winters, Young (2), Mike
11 September 20022002–03 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
1–2
10,724MackieThompson (2)
30 November 20022002–03 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
1–1
8,621McGuireHamilton
16 February 20032002–03 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
3–0
9,146Sheerin (2), McGuire
24 May 20032002–03 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
0–2
8,516Mackie, Tosh
18 October 20032003–04 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
0–1
11,234McLaren
17 January 20042003–04 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
3–2
8,888Booth, ClarkRobson, C.Miller, Dodds
3 April 20042003–04 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
3–0
8,449Hinds, McGuire, Sheerin
11 September 20042004–05 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
1–1
10,995MackieWilson
27 November 20042004–05 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
1–0
12,038Tosh
27 February 20052004–05 Scottish Cup QFTannadice
4–1
8,661ByrneArchibald, Grady (2), Crawford
2 March 20052004–05 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
1–2
6,688Diamond, StewartScotland
30 July 20052005–06 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
1–1
12,404NicholsonL.Miller
25 October 20052005–06 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
2–0
10,720Smith, Crawford
7 January 20062005–06 Scottish Cup R3Tannadice
2–3
8,218Crawford (2), NicholsonFernandez (2)
21 January 20062005–06 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
1–1
9,936MackieArchibald
21 October 20062006–07 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
3–1
10,747Mackie, Nicholson (2)Robson
30 December 20062006–07 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
3–1
12,329SeverinSamuel (2), Robson
7 April 20072006–07 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
2–4
12,148Lovell, MackieDaly, Hunt, Cameron (2)
4 August 20072007–08 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
1–0
12,496D.Robertson
3 November 20072007–08 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
2–0
11,964Aluko, L.Miller
19 January 20082007–08 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
3–0
8,579Hunt, Robson (2)
5 February 20082007–08 Scottish League Cup SFTynecastle
1–4
12,046ConsidineDods, Kalvenes, Conway, Gomis
3 May 20082007–08 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
2–1
10,312Foster, TouzaniSwanson
20 September 20082008–09 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
0–1
11,041Sandaza
8 November 20082008–09 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
2–1
9,490MackieSandaza, Feeney
21 February 20092008–09 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
2–2
14,673Severin, DiamondSandaza, D.Robertson
7 May 20092008–09 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
1–1
10,407L.MillerGoodwillie
24 October 20092009–10 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
0–2
11,776Casalinuovo, Gomis
2 January 20102009–10 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
0–1
10,032Mulgrew
20 March 20102009–10 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
2–2
9,316Diamond, PatonDaly (2)
11 September 20102010–11 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
3–1
9,793VernonDaly, og, Goodwillie
1 January 20112010–11 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
1–1
12,487MaguireGoodwillie
7 March 20112010–11 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
3–1
7,416MagennisDouglas, Conway, Swanson
15 October 20112011–12 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
3–1
10,256Árnason, Mawéné, ConsidineDalla Valle
2 January 20122011–12 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
1–2
11,471Chalali, ÁrnasonDaly
7 April 20122011–12 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
3–1
8,439Mackie, Clark, JackDaly
20 October 20122012–13 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
1–1
9,858McGinnRankin
2 January 20132012–13 Scottish Premier LeaguePittodrie
2–2
13,176Vernon, McGinnGunning, og
6 April 20132012–13 Scottish Premier LeagueTannadice
1–0
8,577Boulding
19 October 20132013–14 Scottish PremiershipPittodrie
1–0
12,654Zola
1 January 20142013–14 Scottish PremiershipTannadice
1–2
12,601Robson, PawlettSouttar
29 March 20142013–14 Scottish PremiershipPittodrie
1–1
14,627McGinnPaton
6 May 20142013–14 Scottish PremiershipTannadice
1–3
8,677Vernon (3)Dillon
10 August 20142014–15 Scottish PremiershipPittodrie
0–3
16,471Dow, Mackay-Steven, Erskine
13 December 20142014–15 Scottish PremiershipTannadice
0–2
11,196Rooney (2)
31 January 20152014–15 Scottish League Cup SFHampden
2–1
29,608DanielsMorris, Ciftci
18 April 20152014–15 Scottish PremiershipPittodrie
1–0
12,619Rooney
2 May 20152014–15 Scottish PremiershipTannadice
1–0
8,686Muirhead

References
  1. Murray, Ewan (6 February 2008). "Thompson enjoys final reward". The Guardian.
  2. Davidson, Alan (24 October 1983). "Slump City". Evening Times. Glasgow. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  3. Paul, Ian (9 December 1983). "New Firm face English draw". The Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  4. "All time results between Aberdeen and Dundee United". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 October 2008.
  5. "Aberdeen Results List (Filter:vs Dundee United)". AFC Heritage Trust. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  6. "Dundee United Results List (Filter:vs Aberdeen)". Dundee United Historical Archive. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  7. Lewis Thom at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database
  8. "Dundee United:1960/61 - 2006–07". neilbrown.newcastlefans.com. Retrieved 17 February 2007.
  9. John Gardiner at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database
  10. Ray McKinnon at Soccerbase
  11. "The Internet Soccer Database: Stewart McKimmie". Soccerbase. Retrieved 26 September 2007.
  12. "The Internet Soccer Database: Joe Miller". Soccerbase. Retrieved 9 November 2007.
  13. "Dundee Utd's transfers in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Archived from the original on 30 August 2009. Retrieved 9 November 2007.
  14. "Dundee Utd's transfers in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
  15. "Jamie Buchan joins United". Dundee United F.C. 8 June 2000. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012.
  16. "Dons defender Mark Reynolds joins Dundee United on loan". Press and Journal. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  17. Frank Munro at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database
  18. "Player A to Z: Jim Henry". Glenrothes Arabs. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
  19. "Player A to Z: Mixu Paatelainen". Glenrothes Arabs. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
  20. "Player A to Z: Mark Perry". Glenrothes Arabs. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
  21. "Crawford quits Tannadice for Dons". BBC Sport website. 31 August 2005.
  22. "Dons take Miller from Dundee Utd". BBC Sport website. 31 August 2006.
  23. "Mair completes Pittodrie switch". BBC Sport website. 1 May 2007.
  24. "Duff finalises New Firm switch". BBC Sport website. 18 January 2008.
  25. "Kerr completes Pittodrie switch". BBC Sport website. 7 July 2008.
  26. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  27. http://www.statto.com/football/teams/aberdeen
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