Maurice Malpas Player Profile

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Player Details

  • Full Name: Maurice Daniel Robert Malpas
  • Born: August 3rd, 1962 (Dunfermline)
  • Height: 5' 8
  • Position: Left Back / Centre Half
  • Signed: August 14th, 1979
  • First Manager: Jim McLean
  • Career Totals: 830 appearances, 26 goals


Playing History

Season Win % Draw % Loss %
1999-00 11 (6) 0 0 0 29.4% 17.6% 52.9%
1998-99 37 0 6 0 24.3% 29.7% 45.9%
1997-98 44 1 9 2 36.4% 31.8% 31.8%
1996-97 32 1 2 0 59.4% 28.1% 12.5%
1995-96 36 2 6 0 55.6% 27.8% 16.7%
1994-95 38 3 5 0 28.9% 23.7% 47.4%
1993-94 45 0 4 0 31.1% 42.2% 26.7%
1992-93 42 0 0 0 45.2% 21.4% 33.3%
1991-92 49 4 3 0 44.9% 26.5% 28.6%
1990-91 50 1 2 0 50.0% 18.0% 32.0%
1989-90 40 2 1 0 37.5% 32.5% 30.0%
1988-89 50 1 2 0 44.0% 34.0% 22.0%
1987-88 59 2 2 1 40.7% 32.2% 27.1%
1986-87 57 1 3 0 56.1% 24.6% 19.3%
1985-86 52 2 4 0 51.9% 26.9% 21.2%
1984-85 52 2 6 0 57.7% 17.3% 25.0%
1983-84 52 (2) 2 3 0 53.7% 25.9% 20.4%
1982-83 45 (6) 2 4 0 66.7% 21.6% 11.8%
1981-82 21 (4) 0 0 0 44.0% 24.0% 32.0%
1980-81 - - - - - - -
1979-80 - - - - - - -
Totals: 812 (18) 26


 Apps = First Team Appearances (Sub Appearances) | Gls = Goals
 Cln = Clean Sheets | CtGR = Clean Sheets to Games Ratio | W/D/L - Games won, drawn or lost as percentage of games played in
 Yel = Yellow Cards/Cautions | Red = Red Cards/Dismissals

 Recent First Team Starts
 21/05/00 SPL vs. Celtic (A) 0 - 2
 29/04/00 SPL vs. St Johnstone (H) 0 - 1
 22/04/00 SPL vs. Hearts (A) 2 - 1
 19/04/00 SPL vs. Motherwell (A) 3 - 1
 15/04/00 SPL vs. Rangers (H) 0 - 2

 Recent First Team Goals
 07/04/98 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (H) 2 - 2
 04/01/97 Premier Division vs. Kilmarnock (H) 2 - 0
 25/11/95 First Division vs. Airdrie (A) 1 - 1
 18/11/95 First Division vs. Dundee (H) 2 - 3
 18/03/95 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A) 1 - 2

 List of Goals Scored (click to expand)
 07/04/98 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (H)  2 - 2
 04/01/97 Premier Division vs. Kilmarnock (H)  2 - 0
 25/11/95 First Division vs. Airdrie (A)  1 - 1
 18/11/95 First Division vs. Dundee (H)  2 - 3
 18/03/95 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  1 - 2
 21/02/95 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (H)  1 - 0
 18/02/95 4th Round vs. Huntly (A)  3 - 1
 18/04/92 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  2 - 0
 26/01/92 3rd Round vs. Berwick (H)  6 - 0
 28/12/91 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  2 - 3
 28/09/91 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  2 - 2
 24/11/90 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  2 - 3
 04/10/89 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  2 - 0
 19/08/89 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  3 - 4
 11/03/89 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  1 - 4
 30/01/88 3rd Round vs. Arbroath (A)  7 - 0
 25/08/87 3rd Round vs. Raith Rovers (A)  2 - 1
 14/03/87 Quarter Final vs. Forfar Athletic (H)  2 - 2
 05/10/85 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  2 - 2
 05/10/85 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  2 - 2
 16/03/85 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  1 - 0
 17/11/84 Premier Division vs. Morton (H)  7 - 0
 02/04/84 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  5 - 2
 11/02/84 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  2 - 0
 04/09/82 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  2 - 0
 18/08/82 Group Stage - Section 4 vs. Falkirk (A)  4 - 0

 List of Games Played
Sorry, there are too many games to display for this player.


Biography

Malpas played youth football for Leven Royals and signed for Jim McLean at Dundee United on an 'S' form in 1978, where he would remain for the rest of his career. Initially he combined his football career with studying for an electrical engineering degree, and only became a full time professional following the completion of his studies in 1984. Despite this, Malpas made his full debut for the club November 1981, aged just 19, and went on to make the left-back position his own, eventually taking over from legendary defender Frank Kopel.

Maurice missed only two matches throughout the 1982/83 season, as Jim McLean's great United side claimed the Scottish Premier Division Title for the first time in the club's long history. Maurice showed maturity beyond his years as he handled the pressure of United's nail-biting climax to the season at Dens Park, where only a win would secure the title, like an experienced pro and put in a solid display as the Terrors won 2-1 in the Dundee Derby to be crowned Champions of Scotland.

The following season saw United embark on their first European Cup adventure, with Malpas impressing with every match as the team made their way through to the semi-finals, where they narrowly lost out over two legs against Italians Roma. Unsurprisingly, following his impressive performances in both domestic and European competition, he received his first full international Scotland cap in June 1984. Over the next few years Maurice established himself as a regular first team starter in the Scotland team - see 'International' tab.

Maurice was an integral part of the side that reached the UEFA Cup Final during the 1986/87 season, missing only two of the ten matches of that famous run. Having missed the Away leg against Hajduk Split in the previous round, Malpas played a vital role in the two victories over Barcelona in the quarter finals. He missed the second leg of the semi-final against Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany due to a foot injury, but recovered in time for the two legged final against Gothenburg, as United ran out of steam after a long hard season.

Becoming Club Captain in the late 1980s and Player Coach in the early 1990s, Maurice was voted the Scottish Football Writers Association Player of the Year for his performances during the 1990/91 season, and was rewarded with a testimonial in 1991 for his continued commitment to the Club.

After collecting six runners-up medals in all competitions since that League Championship win in 1983, Maurice made history by becoming the first Dundee United captain to lift the Scottish Cup in May 1994. Given little chance against treble-chasing Rangers in the final at Hampden, United ran out 1-0 winners thanks to Craig Brewster’s solitary goal, and Malpas climbed the Hampden steps to lift a trophy that had caused so much heartache over the previous ten years.

However the long overdue cup victory merely covered up the cracks that were now appearing in the United side and the club reached an a all-time low the following season as they were relegated from the top flight. Malpas remained a regular in the United side throughout the late 90s, captaining the club to promotion via the play-offs in 1996 and to a 3rd place top flight finish in their first season back in the big time. In November 1997 he collected another runners-up medal after the League Cup final against Celtic at Ibrox Stadium.

Possibly the last of his kind at Tannadice, a one club player, Maurice retired from professional football in the year 2000, after a career spanning two decades and five United managers. His loyal service to the Club was rewarded with a second testimonial, with an emotional match against Everton at Tannadice signalling the end of his playing career. He remained a coach at United until 2003, and took up the assistant managers position at Motherwell under Terry Butcher. He would later step in to management briefly with both Motherwell and Swindon town before rejoining Butcher at both Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Hibernian.

He was one of the first former players to be inducted into the Dundee United Hall of Fame in 2008.

Last updated on Friday, September 11th, 2020 by B Orr.

Squad Numbers

3

Season:
1998-99

3

Season:
1999-00





Debut

November 21st, 1981
Dundee United 4 - 0 Airdrieonians

League (Premier Division)


International Career (Scotland)

Caps: 55

Goals: 0

International Debut: June 1st, 1984 v. France

Maurice Malpas was a part-time 21 year-old when he was given his first international cap, in a 2-0 defeat to France in Paris in June 1984. Over the next two seasons he became a regular in the Scotland starting eleven, and was one of five United players who travelled to Mexico for the 1986 World Cup, where he played against Denmark and West Germany. He made the Scotland left-back position his own, rarely missing a mmatch, and played in all of Scotland's matches in the 1990 World Cup Finals. In the second match against Sweden in Genova, Malpas became United's most capped player, over taking Dave Narey's total of 35 appearances. In 1992, he made his 50th international appearance in Norway, where was was made captain to mark the occasion. A week later he played in Scotland's first ever appearance in the European Championship Finals, playing against the Netherlands and Germany, and finished off his record total of 55 caps against Italy at Ibrox Stadium.

Click here for a full list of international matches for this player


Timeline

  • Date of Birth


    Maurice was born on this date in Dunfermline.

    Friday, August 3rd, 1962

  • Signed For Dundee United

    Tuesday, August 14th, 1979

  • First Non-Competitive Appearance (Friendly)

    Hearts 0 - 0 Dundee United
    Friendly

    Wednesday, February 20th, 1980

  • First Team Debut

    Dundee United 4 - 0 Airdrie
    League (Premier Division)

    Jim McLean made three changes from the Dundee derby victory. John Holt and Iain Phillip both returned from injury, replacing Derek Stark and Richard Gough. 19 year-old Maurice Malpas was handed his fi

    Saturday, November 21st, 1981

  • First Goal

    Falkirk 0 - 4 Dundee United
    League Cup (Group Stage - Section 4)

    Just over 2,000 turned up to see this match where a victory for United would have seen them go top of their section.United got into the thick of the action immediately and forced two corners i

    Wednesday, August 18th, 1982

  • First League Goal

    Dundee United 2 - 0 Aberdeen
    League (Premier Division)

    For the second successive year Aberdeen opened the League campaign at Tannadice, where manager Jim McLean made four changes from the side that defeated Raith Rovers in Wednesday's League Cup tie. Maur

    Saturday, September 4th, 1982

  • 50th Appearance

    St Mirren 0 - 2 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    United gave Davie Dodds a well deserved rest for the visit to Love Street, with their leading goalscorer taking a seat on the bench and young John Reilly taking his place in the starting eleven. John

    Saturday, November 27th, 1982

  • 50th League Appearance

    Dundee United 4 - 0 Kilmarnock
    League (Premier Division)

    United came into this home game with Kilmarnock on the back of a great win at Parkhead. The one downside of that match was the sending off of Richard Gough which meant he was missing for the visit of

    Saturday, April 23rd, 1983

  • 100th Appearance

    Hibernian 0 - 2 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    When Ralph Milne opened the scoring a minute from the interval, he not only ended United's lean spell in Premier goals, but set United on the path to our first win in four League outings. Alth

    Saturday, December 3rd, 1983

  • International Debut


    Maurice earned his first International cap for Scotland, playing against France.

    Friday, June 1st, 1984

  • 100th League Appearance

    Dundee 0 - 2 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    United gained suitable revenge for the earlier 4-3 Tannadice reversal. Quite apart from the obvious satisfaction with the result, the most pleasing aspect must have been the fluency with which we play

    Saturday, November 10th, 1984

  • 200th Appearance

    Dundee United 2 - 0 Vardar
    UEFA Cup (2nd Round 1st Leg)

    This encounter with European novices probably ranks as the most unruly ever undertaken. In addition to the above misdemeanours, their coach, Vukasin Visjenvac, was also banished from his touchline pos

    Wednesday, October 23rd, 1985

  • 300th Appearance

    Dundee United 0 - 0 Celtic
    League (Premier Division)

    Despite the scoreline, this game wasn't lacking in thrills with a share of the points no more or no less than both sides deserved. We opened well showing few signs of the midweek exertions of the Skol

    Saturday, September 5th, 1987

  • 200th League Appearance

    Dundee United 0 - 0 Celtic
    League (Premier Division)

    Despite the scoreline, this game wasn't lacking in thrills with a share of the points no more or no less than both sides deserved. We opened well showing few signs of the midweek exertions of the Skol

    Saturday, September 5th, 1987

  • 400th Appearance

    Dundee United 0 - 1 Hamilton
    League (Premier Division)

    A carnival atmosphere and free admission for the final match of the season attracted 11,503, but it was demoted Accies, who were smiling at the end of the day with rare Tannadice success, their first

    Saturday, May 13th, 1989

  • 300th League Appearance

    Dundee United 1 - 1 Aberdeen
    League (Premier Division)

    The emphasis being given to youth continued with Allan Preston, Ray McKinnon and Paddy Connolly all retaining their places. In fact the only change from the side which lost at lbrox was the re-introdu

    Saturday, February 10th, 1990

  • 500th Appearance

    Rangers 1 - 1 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    Maurice Malpas made his 500th appearance in a tangerine jersey and skippered us to a wholly deserved share of the spoils at Ibrox. True, there was an early scare for us in the 3rd minute when Hateley

    Saturday, September 14th, 1991

  • 400th League Appearance

    St Johnstone 2 - 0 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    Some 17 years had elapsed since we last lost to St Johnstone in Perth and there appeared scant possibility of that record being blemished in the early stages of this contest. We made a confident start

    Saturday, November 7th, 1992

  • 600th Appearance

    Dundee United 0 - 1 Aberdeen
    League (Premier Division)

    United went into the final match of 1993, showing just one change from the side which faltered at Firhill - Christian Dailly replacing Alec Cleland. But there wasn't to be the stylish finish to the ye

    Monday, December 27th, 1993

  • 500th League Appearance

    Dundee United 2 - 3 Dundee
    League (First Division)

    Dundee reversed the scoreline from the first derby meeting of the season, but although United found themselves trailing by three goals immediately after the interval, only a tremendous save by Michel

    Saturday, November 18th, 1995

  • Last Goal

    Dundee United 2 - 2 Dunfermline
    League (Premier Division)

    A rousing game in which Dunfermline took the lead against the run of play with a bizarre goal. Seven minutes later they built on that and carried that twogoal advantage into the second half. H

    Tuesday, April 7th, 1998

  • 600th League Appearance

    Dundee United 0 - 3 Motherwell
    League (SPL)

    A depressing afternoon as we slumped to our worst defeat of the season. All three goals were in the preventable category and we never really recovered from Brannan's seventh minute opener. Spencer add

    Saturday, April 3rd, 1999

  • Last Appearance

    Celtic 2 - 0 Dundee United
    League (SPL)

    It was a very strange looking Celtic line-up which faced United for the final match of the season. No less than six of the home side were in the Hoops' starting line-up for the very first time and the

    Sunday, May 21st, 2000

  • Left the Club

    Monday, May 22nd, 2000