Ralph Callachan (1976/77 to 1978/79)

Ralph Callachan was a ball-playing midfielder and a former Scottish youth international. He had been tracked by United for some time, however his eventual arrival was steeped in controversy.

When manager Gordon Lee walked out on the club to join Everton, coach Richard Dinnis was made “caretaker manager”. Four days later Callachan was signed by chairman Lord Westwood on the back of chief scout Len Richley’s recommendation. An angry Dinnis knew nothing about it, sparking the infamous “player power” episode of 1977.

Even though he was only twenty-one, he had already played over 100 games for the Edinburgh side and although they were reluctant sellers they could not afford to turn down the offer. For Ralph, it was “a dream move”.

During the rest of the season Dinnis didn’t give him a chance in the first team and he wasn’t even training with them. Dinnis rather derogatorily said: “Ralph has good touches but he has to be more professional. He tends to lose concentration and not be involved for ninety minutes”.

With injuries mounting Callachan finally made his debut in the match at Bohemians in the UEFA Cup. But although he kept his place for the next three games he picked up an ankle injury which kept him out for three-and-a-half months.

By the time he was fit again, Bill McGarry had replaced Dinnis as manager. McGarry was “impressed with his skill and passing ability” and gave him some more games as relegation loomed.

However, just after the start of the 1978/79 season, Ralph was part of a cash-exchange for Hibernians’ right-back John Brownlie. He would go on to have a long and successful career with the other Edinburgh club..