Ralph Milne Player Profile

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Player Details

  • Full Name: Ralph Milne
  • Born: May 13th, 1961 (Dundee)
  • Died: September 6th, 2015 (Dundee)
  • Height: 5' 8
  • Position: Winger/Forward
  • Signed: January 16th, 1976
  • First Manager: Jim McLean
  • Career Totals: 287 appearances, 75 goals
  • Also Played For: Bristol City, Charlton Athletic, Manchester United, West Ham United


Playing History

Season Win % Draw % Loss %
1986-87 14 (8) 2 0 0 54.5% 27.3% 18.2%
1985-86 18 (11) 5 3 0 44.8% 31.0% 24.1%
1984-85 24 (7) 8 5 0 67.7% 9.7% 22.6%
1983-84 40 (7) 12 2 0 61.7% 21.3% 17.0%
1982-83 42 (7) 21 2 1 65.3% 20.4% 14.3%
1981-82 48 (7) 14 3 0 47.3% 25.5% 27.3%
1980-81 25 (8) 10 1 0 45.5% 30.3% 24.2%
1979-80 8 (13) 3 0 0 33.3% 33.3% 33.3%
1978-79 - - - - - - -
1977-78 - - - - - - -
Totals: 219 (68) 75


 Apps = First Team Appearances (Sub Appearances) | Gls = Goals
 GtGR = Goals 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
 10/12/86 3rd Round 2nd Leg vs. Hajduk Split (A) 0 - 0
 06/12/86 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H) 0 - 0
 26/11/86 3rd Round 1st Leg vs. Hajduk Split (H) 2 - 0
 22/11/86 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H) 1 - 0
 05/11/86 2nd Round 2nd Leg vs. Univ Craiova (A) 0 - 1

 Recent First Team Goals
 01/10/86 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Lens (H) 2 - 0
 06/09/86 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A) 2 - 0
 23/11/85 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (A) 2 - 1
 02/10/85 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Bohemians (H) 2 - 2
 07/09/85 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (H) 2 - 1

 List of Goals Scored (click to expand)
 01/10/86 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Lens (H)  2 - 0
 06/09/86 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  2 - 0
 23/11/85 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (A)  2 - 1
 02/10/85 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Bohemians (H)  2 - 2
 07/09/85 Premier Division vs. Clydebank (H)  2 - 1
 04/09/85 Quarter Final vs. St Mirren (H)  2 - 1
 04/09/85 Quarter Final vs. St Mirren (H)  2 - 1
 23/02/85 Premier Division vs. Dumbarton (H)  4 - 0
 03/10/84 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. AIK (H)  3 - 0
 03/10/84 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. AIK (H)  3 - 0
 22/09/84 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  2 - 1
 29/08/84 3rd Round vs. Dumbarton (A)  4 - 0
 29/08/84 3rd Round vs. Dumbarton (A)  4 - 0
 11/08/84 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  2 - 0
 11/08/84 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  2 - 0
 02/04/84 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  5 - 2
 03/12/83 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  2 - 0
 30/11/83 Group Section 1 vs. Motherwell (A)  3 - 0
 09/11/83 Group Section 1 vs. Alloa Athletic (A)  4 - 2
 02/11/83 2nd Round 2nd Leg vs. Standard (H)  4 - 0
 02/11/83 2nd Round 2nd Leg vs. Standard (H)  4 - 0
 26/10/83 Group Section 1 vs. Morton (H)  3 - 0
 28/09/83 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Hamrun (H)  3 - 0
 28/09/83 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Hamrun (H)  3 - 0
 10/09/83 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  5 - 0
 10/09/83 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  5 - 0
 03/09/83 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  4 - 1
 14/05/83 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  2 - 1
 30/04/83 Premier Division vs. Morton (A)  4 - 0
 20/04/83 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  3 - 2
 02/04/83 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  3 - 1
 19/03/83 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  2 - 1
 19/03/83 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  2 - 1
 05/03/83 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  4 - 1
 01/01/83 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  2 - 0
 01/01/83 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  2 - 0
 27/12/82 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  5 - 0
 11/12/82 Premier Division vs. Kilmarnock (H)  7 - 0
 24/11/82 3rd Round 1st Leg vs. Werder Bremen (H)  2 - 1
 13/11/82 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  4 - 2
 13/11/82 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  4 - 2
 20/10/82 2nd Round 1st Leg vs. Viking (A)  3 - 1
 20/10/82 2nd Round 1st Leg vs. Viking (A)  3 - 1
 09/10/82 Premier Division vs. Kilmarnock (A)  1 - 1
 02/10/82 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  2 - 2
 25/09/82 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  3 - 0
 21/08/82 Group Stage - Section 4 vs. Raith Rovers (H)  5 - 1
 18/08/82 Group Stage - Section 4 vs. Falkirk (A)  4 - 0
 08/05/82 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  3 - 0
 07/04/82 Premier Division vs. Morton (A)  1 - 1
 27/03/82 Premier Division vs. Morton (H)  5 - 0
 27/03/82 Premier Division vs. Morton (H)  5 - 0
 09/12/81 3rd Round 2nd Leg vs. Winterslag (H)  5 - 0
 09/12/81 3rd Round 2nd Leg vs. Winterslag (H)  5 - 0
 28/11/81 Final vs. Rangers (N)  1 - 2
 14/11/81 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  3 - 1
 03/11/81 2nd Round 2nd Leg vs. M'gladbach (H)  5 - 0
 31/10/81 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 1
 28/10/81 Semi Final 2nd Leg vs. Aberdeen (A)  3 - 0
 17/10/81 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  1 - 1
 30/09/81 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Monaco (H)  1 - 2
 12/09/81 Premier Division vs. Dundee (H)  5 - 2
 29/04/81 Premier Division vs. Airdrie (H)  4 - 1
 04/04/81 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  1 - 2
 14/03/81 Premier Division vs. Partick Th (A)  2 - 0
 10/01/81 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  1 - 2
 03/01/81 Premier Division vs. Kilmarnock (H)  7 - 0
 27/12/80 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  4 - 1
 27/12/80 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  4 - 1
 24/09/80 3rd Round 2nd Leg vs. Motherwell (H)  4 - 2
 13/08/80 1st Round 1st Leg vs. East Fife (A)  5 - 2
 13/08/80 1st Round 1st Leg vs. East Fife (A)  5 - 2
 13/10/79 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  2 - 0
 08/09/79 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  2 - 2
 28/07/79 Quarter Final vs. Dunfermline (H)  3 - 0

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


Biography

Ralph was a Dundee United 'S' signing from Dundee Celtic Boys Club in early 1976. By 1977-78 he was an established reserve player and turned out for the first team in a friendly against Alloa Athletic in August 1977. By the start of the 1979-80 season, the 18 year-old wide attacking player had pushed himself into first team contention, and after a scoring appearance in the Dryburgh Cup in July, he made his competitive debut in a League Cup match against Airdrie at Broomfield. A week later he came off the bench in a match at Celtic Park to earn United a 2-2 draw, and from then on his name appeared frequently in the line ups throughout that term.

The League Cup successes of 1979 and 1980 came too early for Ralph, with manager Jim McLean going for a more experienced side, however he was involved in the Scottish Cup replay defeat against Rangers at the end of the 1980-81 season. Now firmly established in the first team, he began to make his mark on the European scene, with goals against Monaco, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Winterslag. He also put United in front in the 1981 League Cup final at Hampden with a typical Ralph Milne goal, but ended the match with another runners-up medal.

His best season came in 1982-83, when his 16 league goals helped United win the Premier League championship. The goal he scored against Dundee in the final match of the league campaign at Dens Park is enough on its own to warrant his status as a Club legend. Just four minutes into the game he collected the ball just inside the Dundee half, he carried the ball forward skipping over a tackle, and delivered the most delightful chip high over the head of Colin Kelly and into the net from 25 yards.

Ralph had a flare for scoring spectacular goals and always saved his best for the big stage in Europe. Playing in over 40 European matches, he holds the Dundee United record of 15 European goals, four of which he scored in the European Cup run to the semi final against AS Roma in 1983-84.

In season 1984-85, he again collected runners-up medals in both the League Cup and Scottish Cup. He played in the first six matches of the 1986/87 UEFA Cup, and helped get United's run to the final under way with his equaliser against RC Lens in the first round at Tannadice. However, with appearances decreasing and his fractious relationship with manager McLean becoming more and more troublesome, he left United at the end of January 1987 to join Charlton Athletic for a fee of £125,000.

After a year at Charlton he moved on to to Bristol City, where a successful spell drew interest from other clubs and Alex Ferguson took him to Manchester United in November 1988. After a good start at Old Trafford, he eventually faded from the team and he spent some time on loan at West Ham United in 1989 before being released from Manchester United in 1991. He then moved to Hong Kong to join Sing Tao, but after a year he returned to Britain and retired at the age of 32.

Capped at Under-18 and Under-21 levels, Ralph never quite made it to full international level, but is often included in lists of the best players never to have played for Scotland.

After a star studded United career lasting eight years, Milne will forever be idolised by United fans, and was inducted into the Dundee United Hall of Fame in January 2009.

Last updated on Tuesday, April 19th, 2022 by B Orr.





Debut

July 28th, 1979
Dundee United 3 - 0 Dunfermline Athletic

Dryburgh Cup (Quarter Final)


Timeline

  • Date of Birth


    Ralph was born on this date in Dundee.

    Saturday, May 13th, 1961

  • Signed For Dundee United

    Friday, January 16th, 1976

  • First Non-Competitive Appearance (Friendly)

    Alloa Athletic 3 - 1 Dundee United
    Friendly

    This friendly at Recreation Park brought some excellent football from both teams, but it was Alloa who were better at taking their chances. United came near to opening the scoring in the second minute

    Monday, August 1st, 1977

  • First Team Debut

    Dundee United 3 - 0 Dunfermline
    Dryburgh Cup (Quarter Final)

    A confident start by the Tannadice side who took advantage of a superb Frank Kopel opener in 19 minutes, to go on to win in convincing fashion.

    Saturday, July 28th, 1979

  • First Goal

    Dundee United 3 - 0 Dunfermline
    Dryburgh Cup (Quarter Final)

    A confident start by the Tannadice side who took advantage of a superb Frank Kopel opener in 19 minutes, to go on to win in convincing fashion.

    Saturday, July 28th, 1979

  • League Debut

    Celtic 2 - 2 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    Hamish McAlpine made just his second appearance of the season for Unite, in place of the injured Peter Bonetti. United also made number of positional changes from the previous week. Ian Phillip return

    Saturday, September 8th, 1979

  • First League Goal

    Celtic 2 - 2 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    Hamish McAlpine made just his second appearance of the season for Unite, in place of the injured Peter Bonetti. United also made number of positional changes from the previous week. Ian Phillip return

    Saturday, September 8th, 1979

  • 50th Appearance

    Dundee United 4 - 1 Airdrie
    League (Premier Division)

    Since reaching the Scottish Cup Final with their victory over Celtic at Hampden in the Semi-Final, United had went three matches without a win. Dave Narey, who had missed the last two games through in

    Wednesday, April 29th, 1981

  • 50th League Appearance

    St Mirren 1 - 0 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    The severe winter weather meant that this was only United's second league match since the end of November and the team looked a bit ring-rusty as they endeavoured to reduce the four point gap which ex

    Wednesday, February 3rd, 1982

  • 100th Appearance

    Dundee United 4 - 0 Airdrie
    League (Premier Division)

    Paul Sturrock returned after missing out on the midweek trip to Cappielow due to a back injury, and Dave Narey also passed a late fitness test to face bottom of the table Airdrie, with United hoping t

    Saturday, April 10th, 1982

  • 100th 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

  • 50th Goal

    Dundee United 5 - 0 Hibernian
    League (Premier Division)

    United were aiming to get back on the front foot in their league encounter against visitors Hibs, following the Tangerine's first mis-step of the season when they could only draw 1-1 away to first div

    Saturday, September 10th, 1983

  • 200th Appearance

    Hibernian 1 - 0 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    Willie Jamieson's 11th minute goal was the first that Hibs have scored against United this season and it was worth its weight in gold, bringing Hibs their third consecutive win to banish any re

    Saturday, April 7th, 1984

  • Last Goal

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

    R.C. Lens looked a better side at Tannadlce than in the first leg. Having said that their defensive formation threatened rarely. The best chance we created came when Ian Redford's dipping volley from

    Wednesday, October 1st, 1986

  • Last Appearance

    Clydebank 1 - 2 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    Fixtures following a European jaunt are always difficult and the trip to Kilbowie turned out to be just that. Iain Ferguson almost gave us a first minute lead, but his lob went over. Bankies hit back

    Saturday, December 13th, 1986

  • Left the Club

    Saturday, January 31st, 1987

  • Date of Death


    Ralph died on this date in Dundee.

    Sunday, September 6th, 2015