increaingly poor league form, and in 1995 the team were relegated, an ignominious departure for
  which Golac paid with his job. The new man, Billy Kirkwood, brought United back up in his first
  season in charge, albeit only in a promotion/relegation play off against Partick Thistle following a
  90th minute equaliser forcing extra time, followed by a 115th minute winner.

  Kirkwood himself was sacked after a poor start to the next season, and was replaced by Tommy
  McLean, who by amazing coincidence is the brother of none other than Jim McLean, ex-manager
  and now chairman and managing director of the club. After an excellent first season, acheiving 3rd
  place and a UEFA cup spot, 1997-98 ultimately proved a disappointment, despite reaching the
Coca Cola Cup final in November; United only secured their Premier League status on the
  penultimate day of the season, two late Olofsson goals sending Hibernian down instead.

  However, United's dismal run showed no signs of letting up as the new season got underway. An
  ignominious exit of the League Cup at the hands of Ross County was closely followed by a 1-0
  televised defeat at Motherwell - the result flattering United after a truly woeful display. For the
  good-sized travelling support this proved the final straw and prompted angry demonstrations
  throughout the second half. The inevitable occurred - after just 2 league wins in the first 8 months of
  1998, Tommy left, with or without a helping hand from his brother.

This paved the way for fans' favourite Paul Sturrock to take over. He has already made some astute
  moves in the transfer market, bringing in Jason Devos and Billy Dodds while offloading unsettled
  players such as McSwegan and Winters. However at the halfway stage of the SPL United continued
  to rest just a point above the relegation zone, and "Luggy's" immediate task is to ensure SPL football
  at Tannadice for the millenium.