First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
News that Craig Easton is to leave the Club at the end of the season has sparked a flood of mail in appreciation of his contribution to the Club, both on and off the park, over the last nine years. On the park, Craig has played some 256 competitive matches, scored 17 goals and has always given 100% effort. Off the park, he has attended countless events and functions on behalf of the Club and has always been amongst the first to volunteer to help out when required.
In recognition of his services to the Club and his popularity with the fans, a presentation will be made to Craig before the start of tomorrow's game against Dunfermline. The presentation will be made by Chairman Eddie Thompson, together with supporters' representatives.
Craig joined Dundee United as a sixteen year old and made his SPL debut against Aberdeen on New Years Day 1997. He netted his first United goal the following season, coincidentally also against Aberdeen, in a 3-1 League Cup semi-final win and his first league goal was also scored against the Dons, this time in a 5-0 win at Tannadice on Sunday 9th November 1997. Selected to represent Scotland at Under-21 level, Craig made over thirty appearances in each the first six seasons he played as a first team regular.
Craig has many happy memories. "I've been here a long time" he said, "and obviously there are a number of occasions that stand out for me. The first has to be my debut here at Tannadice against Aberdeen. It was a New Year's Day game and we won 4-0. Tommy McLean was in charge at that time and he brought me on as a sub. I also enjoyed playing in Europe after we finished third with Tommy and the trips to Principat and Trabsonspor were a unique experience. Of the goals I've scored, there are a couple that stand out. The most memorable was the one I got in the semi-final against Aberdeen as it was also my first goal for the Club. Scoring against any of the Old Firm at any time is great and the goal I scored against Celtic in a 2-1 win here gave me a lot of pleasure."
"There have been disappointments along the way as well and losing out to Celtic in the Skol Cup final was the biggest. It came at a time when we were doing well in the league and we were reaching the later stages of the cups so it was all the more so. The only other disappointing feature of my time at Dundee United is the fact that I scored just seventeen goals. I wish I had scored more. But there has been a lot more pleasure than sorrow and I was honoured and proud to captain the side last season and get us through to the semi-final of the Coca Cola Cup."
Craig has worked with many managers and coaches in his time at Tannadice. "When I first began my playing career, David Bowman was one player who gave me a lot of encouragement and advice and playing alongside him and others such as Maurice Malpas was an experience I won't forget. I am grateful to a lot of people who have been here and helped me throughout my career."
"I would like to mention Graeme Liveston who first got me involved with United when I was 13. I played in the Under-15 and Under-16 teams for him and although I never signed an S-form he always treated me the same as those who had. His helpful coaching before I went full-time was a big reason why I signed for United. Tommy McLean gave me my first break in the team and along with Gordon Wallace and of course Jim McLean who was still here then; they were the early influences and got me started. Since then, there has been John Blackley, John Holt, Terry Butcher and Paul Hegarty, not forgetting Paul Sturrock and Alex Smith who was also in charge of the Scotland Under-21 side. I enjoyed working with them all and of course more recently Ian McCall and his team. This season it was good to see Owen Coyle back at United and he has helped keep me going, playing in the Under-21s. The early days of my career were probably the most successful during my time at the Club and it's great to see us heading back in the right direction since Ian McCall arrived. This has been our best season since then and I'm just a little disappointed that I wasn't involved more than I was."
Craig has mixed feelings about leaving Tanndice and whilst he is sad to go he also sees his departure as an opportunity. "It's probably fair to say that I might not have signed a new contract anyway. The way things had been going I wasn't getting into the team from the start and being a regular in the side for so long I felt that I needed first team football. I managed only about ten games from the start with about the same again from the bench and played another fifteen or so in the Under-21s. I feel the time has come for a change anyway. I maybe went a little bit stale here. That can happen sometimes and the best thing to do is to move on and find a new challenge. I'm disappointed to be leaving after so long not just because I have had such a great time here but because I would have liked to go out on a high. It will be strange playing for some other team because this is the only Club I have ever been with."
On the evening of Sunday 2nd May 2004, the Federation of Dundee United Supporters had their annual Player of the Year Dance and Craig was taken completely by surprise when the Federation presented him with a special award to mark his contribution to the Club. "That was just unbelievable. It was just a tremendous send-off and completely unexpected. I was amazed by the number of fans who made a point of coming to see me that night to offer their good wishes. I couldn't even guess how many times my hand was shaken or how many nice things were said. It was something special and I was a bit overwhelmed by it all. Over the years the fans of this Club have been great. Even in the bad times they got right behind us and helped us pull through in some sticky situations. When I first broke into the team they gave me a lot of encouragement and all through my career this has been the case. For the fans sake, I'd like to see the Club go on to great things again and I sincerely hope they do well in the future."
There is no doubt that Craig Easton has been a great servant for Dundee United and he invariably did his best for the Club. When he pulled on the jersey, he always gave 100% and where ever he goes he will do the same and where ever he goes he does so with the best wishes of the Club.
(Article courtesy of Steve Gracie)
In recognition of his services to the Club and his popularity with the fans, a presentation will be made to Craig before the start of tomorrow's game against Dunfermline. The presentation will be made by Chairman Eddie Thompson, together with supporters' representatives.
Craig joined Dundee United as a sixteen year old and made his SPL debut against Aberdeen on New Years Day 1997. He netted his first United goal the following season, coincidentally also against Aberdeen, in a 3-1 League Cup semi-final win and his first league goal was also scored against the Dons, this time in a 5-0 win at Tannadice on Sunday 9th November 1997. Selected to represent Scotland at Under-21 level, Craig made over thirty appearances in each the first six seasons he played as a first team regular.
Craig has many happy memories. "I've been here a long time" he said, "and obviously there are a number of occasions that stand out for me. The first has to be my debut here at Tannadice against Aberdeen. It was a New Year's Day game and we won 4-0. Tommy McLean was in charge at that time and he brought me on as a sub. I also enjoyed playing in Europe after we finished third with Tommy and the trips to Principat and Trabsonspor were a unique experience. Of the goals I've scored, there are a couple that stand out. The most memorable was the one I got in the semi-final against Aberdeen as it was also my first goal for the Club. Scoring against any of the Old Firm at any time is great and the goal I scored against Celtic in a 2-1 win here gave me a lot of pleasure."
"There have been disappointments along the way as well and losing out to Celtic in the Skol Cup final was the biggest. It came at a time when we were doing well in the league and we were reaching the later stages of the cups so it was all the more so. The only other disappointing feature of my time at Dundee United is the fact that I scored just seventeen goals. I wish I had scored more. But there has been a lot more pleasure than sorrow and I was honoured and proud to captain the side last season and get us through to the semi-final of the Coca Cola Cup."
Craig has worked with many managers and coaches in his time at Tannadice. "When I first began my playing career, David Bowman was one player who gave me a lot of encouragement and advice and playing alongside him and others such as Maurice Malpas was an experience I won't forget. I am grateful to a lot of people who have been here and helped me throughout my career."
"I would like to mention Graeme Liveston who first got me involved with United when I was 13. I played in the Under-15 and Under-16 teams for him and although I never signed an S-form he always treated me the same as those who had. His helpful coaching before I went full-time was a big reason why I signed for United. Tommy McLean gave me my first break in the team and along with Gordon Wallace and of course Jim McLean who was still here then; they were the early influences and got me started. Since then, there has been John Blackley, John Holt, Terry Butcher and Paul Hegarty, not forgetting Paul Sturrock and Alex Smith who was also in charge of the Scotland Under-21 side. I enjoyed working with them all and of course more recently Ian McCall and his team. This season it was good to see Owen Coyle back at United and he has helped keep me going, playing in the Under-21s. The early days of my career were probably the most successful during my time at the Club and it's great to see us heading back in the right direction since Ian McCall arrived. This has been our best season since then and I'm just a little disappointed that I wasn't involved more than I was."
Craig has mixed feelings about leaving Tanndice and whilst he is sad to go he also sees his departure as an opportunity. "It's probably fair to say that I might not have signed a new contract anyway. The way things had been going I wasn't getting into the team from the start and being a regular in the side for so long I felt that I needed first team football. I managed only about ten games from the start with about the same again from the bench and played another fifteen or so in the Under-21s. I feel the time has come for a change anyway. I maybe went a little bit stale here. That can happen sometimes and the best thing to do is to move on and find a new challenge. I'm disappointed to be leaving after so long not just because I have had such a great time here but because I would have liked to go out on a high. It will be strange playing for some other team because this is the only Club I have ever been with."
On the evening of Sunday 2nd May 2004, the Federation of Dundee United Supporters had their annual Player of the Year Dance and Craig was taken completely by surprise when the Federation presented him with a special award to mark his contribution to the Club. "That was just unbelievable. It was just a tremendous send-off and completely unexpected. I was amazed by the number of fans who made a point of coming to see me that night to offer their good wishes. I couldn't even guess how many times my hand was shaken or how many nice things were said. It was something special and I was a bit overwhelmed by it all. Over the years the fans of this Club have been great. Even in the bad times they got right behind us and helped us pull through in some sticky situations. When I first broke into the team they gave me a lot of encouragement and all through my career this has been the case. For the fans sake, I'd like to see the Club go on to great things again and I sincerely hope they do well in the future."
There is no doubt that Craig Easton has been a great servant for Dundee United and he invariably did his best for the Club. When he pulled on the jersey, he always gave 100% and where ever he goes he will do the same and where ever he goes he does so with the best wishes of the Club.
(Article courtesy of Steve Gracie)
