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New Firm (Scotland)

Scotland

Summary

Scotland

FieldValue
nameNew Firm
total256
city or regionNorth-east Scotland
mostrecent27 December 2025
Aberdeen 1–1 Dundee United
Scottish Premiership
nextmeeting11 February 2025
Scottish Premiership
teams involvedAberdeen and Dundee United
most winsAberdeen (101)
team1Aberdeen
team2Dundee United
map_locationScotland
coordinates1
map_mark1Red pog.svg
map_label1Aberdeen
map_label1_positionleft
coordinates2
map_mark2Orange pog.svg
map_label2Dundee United
map_label2_positionleft

Aberdeen 1–1 Dundee United Scottish Premiership Scottish Premiership

{{football kitpattern_la =pattern_ra =pattern_b =pattern_sh =pattern_so =leftarm = DD0000body = DD0000rightarm = DD0000shorts = DD0000socks = DD0000title = Aberdeen{{football kitpattern_la =pattern_b =pattern_ra =pattern_so =pattern_sh =leftarm = FF8C00body = FF8C00rightarm = FF8C00shorts = 000000socks = FF8C00title = Dundee United

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.

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. The term was used by Evening Times and The Glasgow Herald.

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' implosion 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 254 times, Aberdeen winning 101 compared to United's 82. 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 17 May 2025:

TeamLeagueScottish CupLeague CupTotalTotals2012825254
Aberdeen80129101
Draw579571
Dundee United6471182

League competition

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

:As of 16 May 2018:

ClubSeasonsPlayedWDLGFGAGDPts
Aberdeen51901113049302191111363
Dundee United3114412251168176−8142

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

ClubSeasonsPlayedWDLGFGAGDPts
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.

Aberdeen to Dundee United

DatePlayerFee
1964SCOplayer/lewisthomLewis Thom}}
1976SCOurl=http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/dundeeutd/dundeeutd.htmltitle=Dundee United:1960/61 – 2006–07publisher=neilbrown.newcastlefans.comaccess-date=17 February 2007}}
1 July 1983SCOplayer/johngardinerJohn Gardiner}}
5 November 1995SCOurl=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=5191title=Ray McKinnonwebsite=Soccerbase.com}}
19 March 1997SCOurl=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=5181publisher=Soccerbaseaccess-date=26 September 2007title=The Internet Soccer Database: Stewart McKimmiearchive-date=1 October 2007archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001195544/http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=5181url-status=live}}
1 July 1998SCOurl=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=5456title=The Internet Soccer Database: Joe Millerpublisher=Soccerbaseaccess-date=9 November 2007}}
23 September 1998SCOurl=http://www.soccerbase.com/transfers_by_team.sd?teamid=740&seasonid=128title=Dundee Utd's transfers in 1998/1999publisher=Soccerbaseaccess-date=9 November 2007url-status=deadarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830203419/http://www.soccerbase.com/transfers_by_team.sd?teamid=740&seasonid=128archive-date=30 August 2009df=dmy-all}}
19 January 2000SCOurl=http://www.soccerbase.com/transfers_by_team.sd?teamid=740&seasonid=129title=Dundee Utd's transfers in 1999/2000publisher=Soccerbaseaccess-date=23 October 2007archive-date=1 October 2007archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001191925/http://www.soccerbase.com/transfers_by_team.sd?teamid=740url-status=dead}}
8 June 2000SCOurl=http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=3&nID=499&cd=2000&cd1=6title=Jamie Buchan joins Unitedpublisher=Dundee United F.C.date=8 June 2000url-status=deadarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217095234/http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=3&nID=499&cd=2000&cd1=6archive-date=17 February 2012df=dmy-all}}
31 January 2019SCOLoan

Dundee United to Aberdeen

DatePlayerFee
Oct 1966SCOplayer/frankmunroFrank Munro}}
9 January 1974SCOurl=http://www.dirtyarab.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Player%20a-z/Henry%20J.htmtitle=Player A to Z: Jim Henrypublisher=Glenrothes Arabsaccess-date=17 February 2008url-status=deadarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828222401/http://www.dirtyarab.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Player%20a-z/Henry%20J.htmarchive-date=28 August 2008 }}
28 March 1992FINurl=http://www.dirtyarab.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Player%20a-z/Paatelainn%20M.htmtitle=Player A to Z: Mixu Paatelainenpublisher=Glenrothes Arabsaccess-date=17 February 2008}}
2 June 1998SCOurl=http://www.dirtyarab.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Player%20a-z/Perry%20M.htmtitle=Player A to Z: Mark Perrypublisher=Glenrothes Arabsaccess-date=17 February 2008url-status=deadarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828224209/http://www.dirtyarab.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Player%20a-z/Perry%20M.htmarchive-date=28 August 2008 }}
23 September 1998SCO£700,000
31 August 2005SCOurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/4201626.stmtitle=Crawford quits Tannadice for Donspublisher=BBC Sport websitedate=31 August 2005}}
31 August 2006SCOurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aberdeen/5295368.stmtitle=Dons take Miller from Dundee Utddate=31 August 2006publisher=BBC Sport website}}
1 June 2007SCOurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aberdeen/6447403.stmtitle=Mair completes Pittodrie switchdate=1 May 2007publisher=BBC Sport website}}
18 January 2008SCOurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7182703.stmtitle=Duff finalises New Firm switchdate=18 January 2008publisher=BBC Sport website}}
7 July 2008SCOurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aberdeen/7486249.stmtitle=Kerr completes Pittodrie switchdate=7 July 2008publisher=BBC Sport website}}

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.

; SCO Scottish

  • Jim Bett
  • Craig Brewster
  • Jamie Buchan
  • Stevie Crawford
  • Billy Dodds
  • Davie Dodds
  • Stuart Duff
  • Fraser Fyvie
  • John Gardiner
  • David Goodwillie
  • Jim Hamilton
  • Jim Henry
  • Mark Kerr
  • Lee Mair
  • Stewart McKimmie
  • Gary Mackay-Steven
  • Ray McKinnon
  • Jamie McQuilken
  • Joe Miller
  • Lee Miller
  • Charlie Mulgrew
  • Frank Munro
  • Mark Perry
  • Barry Robson
  • Cammy Smith
  • Derek Stillie
  • Lewis Thom
  • Billy Williamson
  • Robbie Winters
  • Stephen Wright
  • Lawrence Shankland
  • Peter Pawlett

; FIN Finnish

  • Mixu Paatelainen

; IRE Republic of Ireland

  • Willo Flood
  • Jamie McGrath

; NIR Northern Irish

  • Danny Griffin
  • Michael O'Neill

Player records

:A list of players to have scored in derby matches between the two from 27 August 1994 up to 20 November 2021 is below:

For both clubs

ScorerGoals
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO

Aberdeen goalscorers

ScorerGoals
SCO
NOR
SCO
IRL
ENG
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO
NIR
SCO
SCO
ENG
ISL
SCO
SCO
IRL
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO
Morocco
MKD
NGR
MAR
IRL
SCO
ALG
WAL
MSR
SCO
SCO
SCO
ENG
SCO
BUL
FRA
ENG
NIR
SCO
FRA
ENG
SCO
SCO
SCO
USA
SCO
SCO
SCO
NOR
SCO
NED
COD
CPV
SCO
WAL
Own goals

Dundee United goalscorers

ScorerGoals
SWE
SCO
SCO
IRL
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO
ESP
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO
ESP
SEN
SCO
IRL
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO
TRI
SCO
SCO
ENG
SCO
ARG
TUR
SCO
FIN
IRL
SCO
SCO
SCO
ENG
SCO
NIR
POR
NIR
IRE
SCO
USA
NOR
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO
SCO
NIR
SCO
SCO
NIR
SCO
TRI
SCO
ARG
SCO
GRE
SCO
SCO
SWE
AUS
SCO
IRL
Own goals

Partial game list

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

DateCompetitionVenueResultCrowdScorers (Aberdeen)Scorers (United)
27 August 1994Premier DivisionTannadice2–19,332GrantWelsh, Brewster
29 October 1994Premier DivisionPittodrie3–011,744Kane (2), Booth
2 January 1995Premier DivisionTannadice0–010,560
6 May 1995Premier DivisionPittodrie2–120,124Dodds, ShearerWinters
28 September 1996Premier DivisionTannadice1–010,359McSwegan
16 November 1996Premier DivisionPittodrie3–313,807Kiriakov, Kombouaré, DoddsMcLaren, Winters, Olofsson
1 January 1997Premier DivisionTannadice4–09,736Winters, Pressley (2), Olofsson
15 March 1997Premier DivisionPittodrie1–113,645WindassOlofsson
30 August 1997Premier DivisionPittodrie1–112,060DoddsWinters
15 October 1997League Cup SFTynecastle1–310,456WindassWinters (2), Easton
9 November 1997Premier DivisionTannadice5–07,893Olofsson (2), Zetterlund, McLaren, Easton
3 January 1998Premier DivisionPittodrie1–017,025Windass
24 January 1998Scottish Cup R3Tannadice1–011,488Winters
11 April 1998Premier DivisionTannadice0–09,155
4 October 1998Premier LeagueTannadice1–08,933McSwegan
28 November 1998Premier LeaguePittodrie0–311,964Olofsson, J.Miller, Easton
20 February 1999Premier LeagueTannadice3–08,309Olofsson, Dodds, Hannah
17 April 1999Premier LeaguePittodrie0–411,603Dodds (2), J.Miller, Olofsson
18 September 1999Premier LeaguePittodrie1–211,814DowHannah, Dodds
6 November 1999Premier LeagueTannadice3–18,170SolbergDodds (2), Paterson
27 December 1999Premier LeaguePittodrie3–116,656Zerouali, Belabed, StavrumHannah
13 February 2000League Cup SFDens1–09,500Stavrum
12 March 2000Scottish Cup QFTannadice0–16,738Jess
25 March 2000Premier LeagueTannadice1–16,723StavrumFerraz
23 September 2000Premier LeagueTannadice3–57,699Winters (3), Young, JessEaston, McConalogue, Hannah
17 March 2001Premier LeagueTannadice1–18,457WintersC.Miller
4 April 2001Premier LeaguePittodrie4–19,962Stavrum (3), YoungGriffin
20 May 2001Premier LeaguePittodrie1–211,633StavrumVenetis, Lilley
15 September 2001Premier LeaguePittodrie2–112,948Winters, ZeroualiMcIntyre
15 December 2001Premier LeagueTannadice1–19,129WintersEaston
16 February 2002Premier LeaguePittodrie4–013,612Winters, Young (2), Mike
11 September 2002Premier LeaguePittodrie1–210,724MackieThompson (2)
30 November 2002Premier LeagueTannadice1–18,621McGuireHamilton
16 February 2003Premier LeaguePittodrie3–09,146Sheerin (2), McGuire
24 May 2003Premier LeagueTannadice0–28,516Mackie, Tosh
18 October 2003Premier LeaguePittodrie0–111,234McLaren
17 January 2004Premier LeagueTannadice3–28,888Booth, ClarkRobson, C.Miller, Dodds
3 April 2004Premier LeaguePittodrie3–08,449Hinds, McGuire, Sheerin
11 September 2004Premier LeagueTannadice1–110,995MackieWilson
27 November 2004Premier LeaguePittodrie1–012,038Tosh
27 February 2005Scottish Cup QFTannadice4–18,661ByrneArchibald, Grady (2), Crawford
2 March 2005Premier LeagueTannadice1–26,688Diamond, StewartScotland
30 July 2005Premier LeagueTannadice1–112,404NicholsonL.Miller
25 October 2005Premier LeaguePittodrie2–010,720Smith, Crawford
7 January 2006Scottish Cup R3Tannadice2–38,218Crawford (2), NicholsonFernandez (2)
21 January 2006Premier LeagueTannadice1–19,936MackieArchibald
21 October 2006Premier LeaguePittodrie3–110,747Mackie, Nicholson (2)Robson
30 December 2006Premier LeagueTannadice3–112,329SeverinSamuel (2), Robson
7 April 2007Premier LeaguePittodrie2–412,148Lovell, MackieDaly, Hunt, Cameron (2)
4 August 2007Premier LeagueTannadice1–012,496D.Robertson
3 November 2007Premier LeaguePittodrie2–011,964Aluko, L.Miller
19 January 2008Premier LeagueTannadice3–08,579Hunt, Robson (2)
5 February 2008League Cup SFTynecastle1–412,046ConsidineDods, Kalvenes, Conway, Gomis
3 May 2008Premier LeaguePittodrie2–110,312Foster, TouzaniSwanson
20 September 2008Premier LeaguePittodrie0–111,041Sandaza
8 November 2008Premier LeagueTannadice2–19,490MackieSandaza, Feeney
21 February 2009Premier LeaguePittodrie2–214,673Severin, DiamondSandaza, D.Robertson
7 May 2009Premier LeagueTannadice1–110,407L.MillerGoodwillie
24 October 2009Premier LeaguePittodrie0–211,776Casalinuovo, Gomis
2 January 2010Premier LeagueTannadice0–110,032Mulgrew
20 March 2010Premier LeaguePittodrie2–29,316Diamond, PatonDaly (2)
11 September 2010Premier LeagueTannadice3–19,793VernonDaly, Howard, og, Goodwillie
1 January 2011Premier LeaguePittodrie1–112,487MaguireGoodwillie
7 March 2011Premier LeagueTannadice3–17,416MagennisDouglas, Conway, Swanson
15 October 2011Premier LeaguePittodrie3–110,256Árnason, Mawéné, ConsidineDalla Valle
2 January 2012Premier LeagueTannadice1–211,471Chalali, ÁrnasonDaly
7 April 2012Premier LeaguePittodrie3–18,439Mackie, Clark, JackDaly
20 October 2012Premier LeagueTannadice1–19,858McGinnRankin
2 January 2013Premier LeaguePittodrie2–213,176Vernon, McGinnGunning, Langfield, og
6 April 2013Premier LeagueTannadice1–08,577Boulding
19 October 2013PremiershipPittodrie1–012,654Zola
1 January 2014PremiershipTannadice1–212,601Robson, PawlettSouttar
29 March 2014PremiershipPittodrie1–114,627McGinnPaton
6 May 2014PremiershipTannadice1–38,677Vernon (3)Dillon
10 August 2014PremiershipPittodrie0–316,471Dow, Mackay-Steven, Erskine
13 December 2014PremiershipTannadice0–211,196Rooney (2)
31 January 2015League Cup SFHampden2–129,608DanielsMorris, Ciftci
18 April 2015PremiershipPittodrie1–012,619Rooney
2 May 2015PremiershipTannadice1–08,686Muirhead
2 August 2015PremiershipTannadice0–110,706McLean
7 November 2015PremiershipPittodrie2–012,805Rooney, Hayes
2 March 2016PremiershipTannadice0–19,737Church
11 February 2018Scottish Cup R5Pittodrie4–211,611Rooney, Mackay-Steven (2), McLeanStanton, McMullan
17 October 2020PremiershipTannadice0–0
2 January 2021PremiershipPittodrie0–0
20 March 2021PremiershipTannadice1–0Spörle
25 April 2021Scottish Cup QFPittodrie0–3McNulty (2), Edwards
1 August 2021PremiershipPittodrie2–06,305Hayes, Ramirez
20 November 2021PremiershipTannadice1–09,927Harkes
26 February 2022PremiershipPittodrie1–118,719Edwards, ogMcNulty
8 October 2022PremiershipTannadice4–011,010Behich, Watt, McGrath, McCrorie, og
12 November 2022PremiershipPittodrie1–017,035Miovski
4 March 2023PremiershipTannadice1–311,048Duk, McCrorie, WatkinsMcGrath
26 October 2024PremiershipPittodrie1–019,274Ambrose
29 December 2024PremiershipTannadice1-013,581Holt
2 March 2025PremiershipPittodrie2–217,862Nisbet (2)Ševelj, Dalby
17 May 2025PremiershipTannadice2–111,490OkkelsGallagher, Dalby
23 September 2025PremiershipTannadice2–011,052Dolček, Esselink
27 December 2025PremiershipPittodrie1–1KarlssonFatah

References

References

  1. Murray, Ewan. (6 February 2008). "Thompson enjoys final reward". The Guardian.
  2. Davidson, Alan. (24 October 1983). "Slump City". Evening Times.
  3. Paul, Ian. (9 December 1983). "New Firm face English draw". The Glasgow Herald.
  4. (September 2025). "All time results between Aberdeen and Dundee United". Soccerbase}}{{Dead link.
  5. "Aberdeen Results List (Filter:vs Dundee United)". AFC Heritage Trust.
  6. "Dundee United Results List (Filter:vs Aberdeen)". Dundee United Historical Archive.
  7. {{NeilBrownPlayers. player/lewisthom. Lewis Thom
  8. "Dundee United:1960/61 – 2006–07". neilbrown.newcastlefans.com.
  9. {{NeilBrownPlayers. player/johngardiner. John Gardiner
  10. "Ray McKinnon".
  11. "The Internet Soccer Database: Stewart McKimmie". Soccerbase.
  12. "The Internet Soccer Database: Joe Miller". Soccerbase.
  13. "Dundee Utd's transfers in 1998/1999". Soccerbase.
  14. "Dundee Utd's transfers in 1999/2000". Soccerbase.
  15. (8 June 2000). "Jamie Buchan joins United". Dundee United F.C..
  16. (31 January 2019). "Dons defender Mark Reynolds joins Dundee United on loan". Press and Journal.
  17. {{NeilBrownPlayers. player/frankmunro. Frank Munro
  18. "Player A to Z: Jim Henry". Glenrothes Arabs.
  19. (October 2010). "Player A to Z: Mixu Paatelainen". Glenrothes Arabs.
  20. "Player A to Z: Mark Perry". Glenrothes Arabs.
  21. (31 August 2005). "Crawford quits Tannadice for Dons". BBC Sport website.
  22. (31 August 2006). "Dons take Miller from Dundee Utd". BBC Sport website.
  23. (1 May 2007). "Mair completes Pittodrie switch". BBC Sport website.
  24. (18 January 2008). "Duff finalises New Firm switch". BBC Sport website.
  25. (7 July 2008). "Kerr completes Pittodrie switch". BBC Sport website.
  26. "Dundee United 2014-2015 Home - statto.com".
  27. Ltd, Statto Organisation. "Aberdeen Home Page for the current 2016-2017 season".
  28. "2015/2016 Premiership | SPFL Archive".
Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

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