Dave Narey Player Profile

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Player Details

  • Full Name: David Narey
  • Born: June 12th, 1956 (Dundee)
  • Height: 6'
  • Position: Centre Half
  • Signed: January 6th, 1972
  • First Manager: Jim McLean
  • Career Totals: 872 appearances, 36 goals
  • Also Played For: Raith Rovers


Playing History

Season Win % Draw % Loss %
1993-94 12 0 1 0 41.7% 33.3% 25.0%
1992-93 30 (1) 0 3 0 41.9% 12.9% 45.2%
1991-92 26 0 1 1 38.5% 30.8% 30.8%
1990-91 6 0 0 0 16.7% 16.7% 66.7%
1989-90 41 0 1 0 39.0% 24.4% 36.6%
1988-89 46 0 2 0 41.3% 34.8% 23.9%
1987-88 54 0 3 0 42.6% 35.2% 22.2%
1986-87 54 0 1 0 55.6% 27.8% 16.7%
1985-86 51 0 2 0 52.9% 25.5% 21.6%
1984-85 46 1 5 1 60.9% 17.4% 21.7%
1983-84 54 1 5 0 53.7% 25.9% 20.4%
1982-83 55 9 2 0 65.5% 21.8% 12.7%
1981-82 58 3 0 0 50.0% 20.7% 29.3%
1980-81 54 2 2 1 53.7% 24.1% 22.2%
1979-80 51 1 5 0 35.3% 33.3% 31.4%
1978-79 41 5 2 0 43.9% 22.0% 34.1%
1977-78 49 1 0 0 51.0% 18.4% 30.6%
1976-77 41 2 0 0 43.9% 22.0% 34.1%
1975-76 44 3 0 0 38.6% 15.9% 45.5%
1974-75 43 (1) 7 1 0 47.7% 22.7% 29.5%
1973-74 10 (4) 1 1 0 35.7% 21.4% 42.9%
1972-73 - - - - - - -
Totals: 866 (6) 36


 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
 02/04/94 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H) 1 - 3
 26/03/94 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A) 0 - 1
 12/03/94 Quarter Final vs. Airdrie (A) 0 - 0
 01/03/94 4th Round Replay vs. Motherwell (A) 1 - 0
 28/09/93 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Brøndby (H) 3 - 1

 Recent First Team Goals
 06/04/85 Premier Division vs. Morton (H) 5 - 0
 05/05/84 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H) 2 - 2
 30/04/83 Premier Division vs. Morton (A) 4 - 0
 11/12/82 Premier Division vs. Kilmarnock (H) 7 - 0
 24/11/82 3rd Round 1st Leg vs. Werder Bremen (H) 2 - 1

 List of Goals Scored (click to expand)
 06/04/85 Premier Division vs. Morton (H)  5 - 0
 05/05/84 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  2 - 2
 30/04/83 Premier Division vs. Morton (A)  4 - 0
 11/12/82 Premier Division vs. Kilmarnock (H)  7 - 0
 24/11/82 3rd Round 1st Leg vs. Werder Bremen (H)  2 - 1
 23/10/82 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  2 - 0
 16/10/82 Premier Division vs. Morton (H)  6 - 0
 16/10/82 Premier Division vs. Morton (H)  6 - 0
 21/08/82 Group Stage - Section 4 vs. Raith Rovers (H)  5 - 1
 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
 10/04/82 Premier Division vs. Airdrie (H)  4 - 0
 03/03/82 Quarter Final 1st Leg vs. Radnicki (H)  2 - 0
 09/12/81 3rd Round 2nd Leg vs. Winterslag (H)  5 - 0
 07/03/81 5th Round vs. Motherwell (H)  6 - 1
 13/08/80 1st Round 1st Leg vs. East Fife (A)  5 - 2
 12/01/80 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (A)  1 - 2
 07/03/79 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  4 - 0
 16/12/78 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  1 - 1
 09/12/78 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  3 - 0
 28/10/78 Premier Division vs. Partick Th (H)  2 - 0
 23/09/78 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (A)  3 - 1
 23/08/77 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Albion Rovers (A)  5 - 1
 16/03/77 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  3 - 2
 07/02/77 Premier Division vs. Ayr Utd (A)  4 - 1
 23/09/75 1st Round 1st Leg vs. Keflavík (A)  2 - 0
 23/09/75 1st Round 1st Leg vs. Keflavík (A)  2 - 0
 27/08/75 Sectional Tie vs. St Johnstone (A)  2 - 1
 11/01/75 Division One vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 3
 02/01/75 Division One vs. St Johnstone (H)  1 - 1
 14/12/74 Division One vs. Morton (A)  6 - 0
 27/11/74 Division One vs. Aberdeen (H)  4 - 0
 16/11/74 Division One vs. Partick Th (A)  5 - 0
 18/09/74 1st Round 1st Leg vs. Jiul (H)  3 - 0
 31/08/74 Division One vs. Motherwell (H)  5 - 0
 10/05/74 Division One vs. Morton (H)  4 - 2

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


Biography

Narey was a local lad, born and raised in Dundee and was educated at St John's RC High School. He was signed by United on an Schoolboys form in 1972 at the age of 15 whilst with St Columba’s Boys Club, and signed professionally the following year. He made his full debut for the club at Tannadice in a league match against Falkirk on November 21st 1973, playing as an attacking midfielder, although he would go on to become a full-international centre-half.

Dave soon became a regular in the Dundee United side of the mid to late 70s under the management of Jim McLean and formed a successful defensive partnership with club captain Paul Hegarty. In 1977 he became the first ever United player to receive a full international cap for Scotland, and would go on to make 35 appearances for his country, becoming the most capped player at the Club for many years - see ‘International’ tab.

In 1979, Narey received his first winner's medal after helping the club win their first ever trophy, the League Cup after defeating New Firm rivals Aberdeen 3-0 in the replay at Dens Park. In 1980, United retained the trophy on the same ground, this time defeating city rivals Dundee 3-0 on their own turf, again Narey was at the heart of the United defence. In the 1982/83 season Narey played a key role as United defied all the odds to claim the Scottish Premier Division Title on the last day of the season with a famous 2-1 win over Dundee at Dens. Narey won the decisive spot-kick from which Eamonn Bannon eventually converted following the initial save made by Kelly in the Dundee goal. It would prove to be the goal that clinched the 1982/83 Premier Division Championship.

Following the League Championship success, United found themselves in the European Cup and Narey was part of the side that reached the semi-finals of the competition, eventually being knocked out 3-2 on aggregate by AS Roma. In the 1986/87 season United went on a now legendary UEFA Cup run which saw them reaching the final of the competition. Paul Hegarty missed a large spell of the season due to injury and in his absence Narey took over the role of team captain. On the way to the final United recorded 2 famous victories over Catalonian giants Barcelona. Captained by Dave Narey, United incredibly won 2-1 at Camp Nou in the 2nd leg. Unfortunately United could not go all the way, running out of steam at the end of a long season and lost both the two legged UEFA Cup Final and the Scottish Cup Final sandwiched inbetween.

Narey remained part of the side for the remainder of the decade and into the early 90s. As age caught up with him he began to play less often but memorably started against Motherwell at Fir Park in the Scottish Cup 4th round replay in 1994 and played superbly at the age of 37. Although United went onto lift the Scottish Cup at the end of the season, Narey did not play in the final and it was announced that he would be released at the end of the season. Although offered a coaching role at Tannadice, Dave wished to carry on playing.

After leaving United, Narey joined First Division Raith Rovers and was part of the team that won promotion to the Premier Division as champions. He also played in the Raith team that defeated Celtic in the 1994 League Cup Final, winning the man of the match award for his performance. Narey retired from professional football at the end of the 1994/95 season.

With a Dundee United career spanning 22 years, there is no doubt that Dave Narey is one of the all-time Tannadice greats. As part of one of the greatest Dundee United sides ever, Narey collected 3 winner's medals in his time at the club and that could easily have been so many more had it not been for United's dreadful luck in cup finals. In 1992, Dave Narey received an MBE for his services to football, an honour few Scottish footballers have received, and in January 2008, he was one of the first players inducted into the Dundee United Hall of Fame.

Last updated on Friday, May 21st, 2021 by B Orr.





Debut

November 21st, 1973
Dundee United 2 - 1 Falkirk

League (Division One)


International Career (Scotland)

Caps: 35

Goals: 1

International Debut: April 27th, 1977 v. Sweden

Although several ex-United players had gone on to play for Scotland after leaving Tannadice, Dave Narey became the first ever player to gain International recognition whilst playing for the club. Winning his first cap in as a substitute against Sweden in April 1977, he made his first start against Portugal eighteen months later. By 1980 he was a regular in the Scotland line-up, playing as a central defender, a full-back and a midfielder. Dave went on to play in the 1982 World Cup Finals in Spain, where he scored a magnificent goal to give Scotland a shock lead over Brazil in their second match of the tournament. Four years later he also played in the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico, playing alongside four of his Dundee United teamates. Playing his last International match against Cyprus in 1989, Narey won a total of 35 Full Caps, a club record until Maurice Malpas overtook that total in 1990.

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


Timeline

  • Date of Birth


    Dave was born on this date in Dundee.

    Tuesday, June 12th, 1956

  • Signed For Dundee United

    Thursday, January 6th, 1972

  • First Team Debut

    Dundee United 2 - 1 Falkirk
    League (Division One)

    Dave Narey made his first team debut in a match that kicked off at 3pm on a Wednesday due to the miners strike.

    Wednesday, November 21st, 1973

  • First Goal

    Dundee United 4 - 2 Morton
    League (Division One)

    Just one month short of his 18th birthday, Dave Narey scored his first goal for the club, notching the opening goal in the 10th minute against Greenock Morton at

    Friday, May 10th, 1974

  • 50th Appearance

    Dundee United 3 - 1 Ayr Utd
    League (Division One)

    Wednesday, March 5th, 1975

  • 50th League Appearance

    Dundee United 1 - 2 Dundee
    League (Premier Division)

    Saturday, October 18th, 1975

  • 100th Appearance

    Dundee United 0 - 1 Rangers
    League (Premier Division)

    Issues at both top and bottom of the Premier League were at stake before this match got under way. Rangers needed three points to clinch the Premier League title whilst victory for United would allevi

    Saturday, April 24th, 1976

  • 100th League Appearance

    Celtic 2 - 0 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    Realistically we were the only major challengers to Celtic for the Premier title so our visit to Parkheact was crucial to say the least. United made a bright start and were presented with a golden opp

    Saturday, March 26th, 1977

  • International Debut


    Dave earned his first International cap for Scotland, playing against Sweden.

    Wednesday, April 27th, 1977

  • 200th Appearance

    Motherwell 0 - 1 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    Dreadful conditions greeted the crowd that braved the trip to Fir Park for this match. The foul weather had an impact on the attendance with on 3372 heading to the ground. Injuries had forced many cha

    Saturday, September 16th, 1978

  • 200th League Appearance

    Dundee 1 - 1 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    Saturday, March 1st, 1980

  • 300th Appearance

    Clydebank 2 - 1 Dundee United
    League Cup (Quarter Final 1st Leg)

    United and Clydebank had met just once on League Cup business and that was a little under five years prior to this one when the competition was known as the Bell's Cup. At the time the clubs met Unite

    Wednesday, October 8th, 1980

  • 400th Appearance

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

    John Gardiner made his Tannadice debut for United, with Sturrock and Dodds leading the line for home side in the League Cup sectional tie.Even with a strong wind in their faces, United took co

    Wednesday, August 25th, 1982

  • 300th League Appearance

    Hibernian 0 - 0 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    United came into this game on the back of two consecutive defeats. Paul Sturrock came back into the side for this match but after a lack-lustre performance at Ibrox, Ralph Milne dropped to the bench.

    Saturday, January 15th, 1983

  • 500th Appearance

    Motherwell 1 - 3 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    McLean, newly banished from the dug-out, misses a clinical win. Page breaks his leg a minute into his debut to mar the occasion. A Davie Dodds header slips throug

    Saturday, April 28th, 1984

  • Last Goal

    Dundee United 5 - 0 Morton
    League (Premier Division)

    Another high scoring win came within days of that midweek derby win. However, this overwhelming victory by Jim McLean's men consigned his brother Willie's Cappielow side to the First Division by scori

    Saturday, April 6th, 1985

  • 400th League Appearance

    Dundee United 4 - 0 Clydebank
    League (Premier Division)

    Clydebank were the victims of our biggest and most comprehensive victory of the season. Illustration of United's superiority can best be found in the statistic that Clydebank won their first corner in

    Saturday, January 18th, 1986

  • 600th Appearance

    Clydebank 1 - 1 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    A goal in three minutes by Ian Redford gave us the perfect start to what is always a tricky fixture. Stuart Beedie was the architect of that opening goal. Picking the ball up just outside the box he f

    Saturday, April 19th, 1986

  • 500th League Appearance

    Hearts 0 - 0 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    Our 500th Premier contest is more likely to be remembered for that fact, rather than events on the park, as we fought out a lack-lustre goalless draw with Hearts. Neither keeper had a lot to d

    Saturday, November 19th, 1988

  • 600th League Appearance

    St Johnstone 1 - 4 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    Two successive defeats at the hands of St Johnstone made us determined to atone for those results and this was reflected in the manner in which we set about achieving our biggest ever Premier win over

    Saturday, March 20th, 1993

  • Last Appearance

    Dundee United 1 - 3 Celtic
    League (Premier Division)

    There was only one change in the United line up - Dave Narey for Christian Dailly - as we set about trying to finish the season unbeaten against Celtic. There was some early action for Carl Mu

    Saturday, April 2nd, 1994

  • Left the Club

    Monday, May 23rd, 1994