First Team
EVERY WORD | JACK WALTON LOOKS AHEAD TO IBROX TEST
21st November 2024
It was with great sadness that we learned of the recent death in South Africa of Tommy Neilson.
Supporters under the age of 60 are unlikely to have seen Tommy play for the club, but for those who did he will forever be remembered as the man who captained United to promotion in 1960, ending a period of 28 years out of the top division.
Under Tommy’s inspiring leadership Dundee United became established at the top level and, even after relinquishing the captaincy to Jimmy Briggs, he remained a driving force as an attacking wing-half (today he’d be described as a midfielder) and played in all four of our historic Fairs Cup meetings with Barcelona and Juventus in season 1966-67.
In 1968, after 316 games in black and white, he left Tannadice and joined Cowdenbeath before emigrating to South Africa, where he continued his career.
A boilermaker to trade, Tommy then ran an engineering firm.
He is survived by his wife, Eunice, daughter Brenda and son Martin. The thoughts of everyone associated with the Club are with Tommy’s family at this sad time.
A fuller tribute to Tommy Neilson will appear in the match programme for our game with Livingston next week.
