Derek Craig (1969/70 to 1974/75)

Tall centre-back Derek Craig joined United as a junior after a successful trial, turning professional a few months later. But in six seasons at the club he only made two appearances.

Ryton born Craig came to United on a two-month trial in January 1969 joined United as an apprentice in May 1969 and stayed at the club for seven seasons during which he only played two senior games.

He was a regular in the reserves in 1970/71 and his first appearance for the first team was in the friendly at Ayr in November 1970 when he unfortunately gave away a penalty.

He was only nineteen when the unavailability of all four of United’s centre-halves led to him making his official debut as part of a makeshift defence in the League Cup at Highbury in the 1971/72 season. Not surprisingly he had a torrid time against the Gunners’ forwards, was booked after fifteen minutes and got a smack in the mouth which caused his lips to treble in size.

After another centre-back, Dennis Laughton, was signed in October 1973 as cover for Moncur and Howard, Craig sought a meeting with Harvey. He said: “I don’t honestly feel I’ve been given a real chance to prove myself even though I have done well in the reserves”.

He played in the Texaco Cup semi-final first leg at Dundee United in December with Harvey making it clear that he had to make use of the chance he had been asking for. “He’s at an age where he must come through if he’s going to do it all”.

1974/75 saw him made skipper of the reserves and he turned down moves to Mansfield in September and Charlton in October. However, he was freed at the end of the 1974/75 season and after spending the summer playing in North America he moved to Darlington.