Lochee United F.C. Explained

Clubname:Lochee United
Fullname:Lochee United Football Club
Nickname:The Blue Bells
Founded:1892
Ground:Thomson Park
Napier Drive
Dundee
Capacity:3,200
Chairman:Tom McMillan
Manager:Dougie Cameron
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Website:https://www.locheeunited.co.uk/

Lochee United Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Lochee area of Dundee. Formed in 1892, they currently compete in the SJFA Midlands League and play their home games at Thomson Park.

History

After spending their early years as a juvenile and amateur side, United joined the Junior grade in 1959. Their Thomson Park ground was opened by former Rangers and Scotland captain George Young in the same year.[1]

Achieving notable local success in the late 1970s and 1980s, the club flourished again after the formation of the East Region Superleague in 2002. Under the management of Eddie Wolecki Black, United were promoted as Tayside Premier champions in 2003 and two seasons later, won their first Superleague title. In the same year, they also reached the final of the Scottish Junior Cup for the first, and so far, only time, losing 2–0 to local rivals Tayport at Tannadice Park.[2]

Wolecki departed for Montrose in December 2005 but his successor as manager, former Dundee United midfielder Ray McKinnon, maintained the clubs' run of success, culminating in a second East Superleague title in 2007–08.[3] This led to their participation in the Scottish Cup for the first time. United reached the third round of the competition after beating fellow Junior qualifier Bathgate Thistle 3–1 in the first round and Highland League side Buckie Thistle 3–0 in the second round. In the third round, Lochee held Second Division Ayr United to a 1–1 draw at home before going down 3–1 in the replay at Somerset Park.[4] [5]

They are one of two Junior clubs based in Lochee, the other being Lochee Harp.

The team is managed by Kevin Harper who took over from George Shields in November 2022.[6]

Lochee won their third East Superleague title in 2018–19, making them eligible to enter the 2019–20 Scottish Cup at the Preliminary round stage.[7]

In June 2022, the club announced that it had been successful in attaining an SFA licence, allowing them access to progress through the Scottish football league system and play in the Scottish Cup every season.[8]

Honours

Other Honours

2002–03

External links

56.4766°N -3.0208°W

Notes and References

  1. News: Brown. John. Rangers captain opened Lochee United's Thomson Park. 1 July 2016. Evening Telegraph. 13 May 2015.
  2. News: Tayport 2–0 Lochee United. 1 July 2016. BBC Sport. 29 May 2005.
  3. Web site: Ray McKinnon to leave the club. Lochee United FC Online. Lochee United FC. 1 July 2016. 7 June 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20160822041838/http://www.locheeunited.co.uk/news_detail.asp?ID=5325. 22 August 2016. dead.
  4. Web site: Lochee United 1–1 Ayr United. BBC Sport . BBC . 17 December 2008 . 3 September 2013.
  5. Web site: Ayr United 3–1 Lochee United . BBC Sport . BBC . 23 December 2008 . 3 September 2013.
  6. Web site: Lorimer . Scott . Lochee United appoint former Hibs star Kevin Harper as new manager . 2022-11-17 . The Courier . 15 November 2022 . en-GB.
  7. Web site: 20th May 2019 Champions. 20 May 2019. locheeunited.co.uk. 29 June 2019.
  8. Web site: 3 June 2022 . LICENSING ACHIEVEMENT FOR LOCHEE UNITED . 24 July 2022 . facebook.com.