Tannadice Park (Dundee)

Tannadice Park (Scottish Gaelic: Pàirc Thanachais), usually referred to as Tannadice, is a football stadium in Dundee, Scotland. It is the home ground of Dundee United F.C., who have played at Tannadice, since the club was founded as Dundee Hibernian in 1909. The stadium has been all-seated since 1994 and has a capacity of 14,223. It is located only 200 yards (183 metres) from Dundee F.C.’s stadium, Dens Park.

General information

Arena capacity: 14,223 spectators

Address: Tannadice Street, Dundee, Dundee City, DD3 7JW, Scotland

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 56°28′28.93″N 2°58′08.26″W

Year of construction: 1870

Field: grass lawn with dimensions of 100.6 x 65.8 m

Seating plan of Tannadice Park

Jerry Kerr Stand

The Jerry Kerr Stand includes the stadium’s southeast corner.

It is a single tier of orange seating that is elevated above ground with yellow staircases at the front, which lead down to the ground below. There are executive boxes down underneath this elevated seating area, whilst the matchday camera is located up at the very back of the Jerry Kerr Stand. You can also find Tannadice’s dugouts, tunnel and changing rooms within this side of the stadium.

Your view from anywhere inside the seating area of the Jerry Kerr Stand is perfectly clear, and every row is also well protected by the stand being connected to both the adjacent Eddie Thompson Stand and Jim McLean Fair Play Stand.

Jim McLean Fair Play Stand

The Jim McLean Fair Play Stand is essentially an extension of the Jerry Kerr Stand, though its layout is different.

The stand consists of two tiers of alternating black and orange seating, with the upper tier larger than the lower tier. There are a few executive boxes below two of the upper tier blocks, underneath an electronic scoreboard, which can best be seen by those on the opposite side of the stadium.

Your view from anywhere inside the Jim McLean Fair Play Stand is perfectly clear.

One end of this stand is well protected by having the Jerry Kerr Stand attached to it. There is a windshield in place at the end next to the stadium’s southwest corner, but this only provides protection to the upper tier rows. The lower tier rows are left more exposed from this side.

Shed

The Shed consists of a single tier of orange seating with the letters DUFC spelt out in black across the blocks.

Two supporting pillars come down towards the front of the stand and will likely restrict the view of those sat in the rows behind. They will not get in your way at all if you are sat in the front rows of the Shed.

The end next to the stadium’s southwest corner has a windshield in place that offers a good level of protection, whereas the end next to the stadium’s northwest corner is open.

George Fox Stand

The George Fox Stand is divided into two tiers, with the lower tier much larger than the upper tier that hangs slightly over the level below.

Seats in the lower tier are predominantly coloured orange, though the letters DUFC are spelt out with black seating across the four central blocks. Seating blocks in the upper tier alternate in colour between orange and black.

Your view from anywhere inside the George Fox Stand is perfectly clear.

Windshields at either end provide full protection to every upper tier row, but only the back rows of the upper tier. A wall by the stadium’s northeast corner protects the front rows of the lower tier on this side, but the same wall isn’t in place at the opposite end.

Eddie Thompson Stand

The Eddie Thompson Stand is directly connected to the southeast corner, though its roof is slightly taller and different in shape.

The stand consists of two tiers, with the lower tier larger than the upper tier that hangs slightly over the level below.

Seats in the lower tier are predominantly orange, though the letters DUFC are spelt out with black seating across the blocks. Seating blocks in the upper tier alternate in colour between orange and black.

The other notable thing here is that because of the stand’s shape, the two blocks nearest to the stadium’s northeast corner are not quadrilateral, instead having back rows that curve downwards in line with the back wall.

Your view from anywhere inside the Eddie Thompson Stand is perfectly clear because of the cantilever that is in place on the underside of the roof.

One end of the stand is well protected by the adjacent southeast corner being directly connected to it, whilst the end by the northeast corner has a large windshield in place that protects every row inside.

Away Fans

Away fans are typically housed in the Jim McLean Fair Play Stand on the southern side of the pitch. This is a two-tiered extension of the adjacent Jerry Kerr Stand, and the smallest of crowds are usually kept in just one of the tiers.

On occasions when large away followings are expected, blocks in the neighbouring Jerry Kerr Stand and adjacent Shed can also be made available for use. Rows of stewards and large sheets are typically used to segregate the away section from any home supporters based nearby.

Views from anywhere inside the Jim McLean Fair Play Stand and Jerry Kerr Stand on the southern side of the pitch are perfectly clear, with a windshield providing good protection for those in the upper tier.

The Shed on the western side of the pitch however has supporting pillars inside it and they will restrict the view of those sat towards the back. Views will be clear if you are sat down at the front of the stand though, with a windshield providing a decent level of protection to those inside.

Regardless of the size of the away section, the turnstiles for it can be found along Tannadice Street near the stadium’s southwest corner.

Where to buy tickets?

Prices often change at Tannadice Park depending on the opposition. There doesn’t seem to be any concrete information on how this is all controlled though.

As is the case with most football clubs in the modern era, the best way to get tickets is through the club’s website, although there is a £2.25 handling charge per ticket. There’s also a ticket shop on Tannadice Street that is open until kick-off on match days.

How to get there?

Tannadice Park is based in the space between Sandeman Street and Tannadice Street, around one mile north of Dundee City Centre. Caird Park is roughly 0.6 miles away to the north, and the University of Dundee Is roughly 1.2 miles away to the southwest.

Tannadice Park’s biggest claim to fame perhaps comes from its extremely close location to Dens Park, home of Dundee United’s rivals Dundee Football Club. The two stadiums are only 183 metres apart.

Tannadice Park does not have any car parking spaces around its vicinity, but it should be possible to find street parking that is within relatively close distance.

Residential streets surround both Tannadice Park and Dens Park on all sides, though do ensure that you are legally allowed to park at where you find and do not block the drives of any residents.

Coming to Tannadice Park by rail can be trickier.

Dundee Station, served by LNER, ScotRail, CrossCountry and Caledonian Sleeper, is close to the City Centre and walking from here to the stadium can take around 35-40 minutes.

As an alternative to walking all the way, you can head north to Panmure Street outside the McManus Art Gallery and Museum, taking the Number 18 bus service, which stops on Arklay Street a short while away from Tannadice Street and Tannadice Park. Taking the bus can half your journey time depending on how quickly you walk.

Taxi services from around Dundee Station are also available.

Where to eat and sleep?

As well as being the home of Captain Scott’s Antarctic expedition ship the RRS Discovery, Dundee is also home to some well-placed hotels, take a look.

1. Holiday Inn Express Dundee. A mile from the ground is this member of the Holiday Inn chain of hotels. It has a bar and a business centre as well as a meeting room and self-parking. There’s free Wi-Fi and a buffet breakfast included in the cost of your room.
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2. Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa. Also around a mile from the stadium is this luxurious hotel with over 150 rooms and an indoor pool. There’s a restaurant and bar as well as a full service spa. You can park here for free and there’s also the virtually compulsory free Wi-Fi, should you need it.
3. Malmaison Dundee. Slightly further away from Tannadice Park than the other options is this Malmaison hotel. It’s less than five minutes from Dundee’s famous Discovery Point and offers free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, a bar and seven meeting rooms.
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What’s that – you want a quick drink before the game? We have you covered.

1. Tickety Boo’s. This pub is a lovely mix of the traditional and the new. It has a horseshoe shaped bar and stained-glass windows and promises a warm welcome and a friendly atmosphere. The food’s great and there are both cask ales and craft beers to be enjoyed. Oh and they show the football, too.
2. The Counting House. The Counting House is a Wetherspoon’s, so you know what you’re going to get. You won’t be able to watch live sport here but you’ll get a cheap pint and some equally cheap food. It’s worth a visit if you’re in Dundee and fancy chatting to some ‘interesting’ locals.
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3. The Old Bank Bar. No prizes for guessing what this place was before it became a pub. This former bank has retained plenty of its original charm and is a family friendly place to grab a drink and a bite to eat before heading to watch some football. You can catch a game here, too, as there are plenty of big screens all around.

Facilities

You can get all of the usual bits and bobs at Tannadice Park, but the toilets at the away end have had some less than favourable reviews, so maybe nip to the loo in the pub before the game. Views are ok from almost everywhere, and all stands are at least partially covered.

Tannadice Park isn’t the most luxurious of football stadiums but there are still some decent hospitality options available to you. The Premier Level has a warm and welcoming match day atmosphere, whilst The Centenary Club is where you’d want to go with business clients. Finally, The Captain’s Box is a family friendly area to enjoy before and after the game. All include various food/drink options, seating with the best views, and even club legend visits at Premier Level. There are some cool mascot packages available too if you want to spoil the kids.

The Hegarty Suite is the main area available for functions and meetings, and can comfortably hold up to 120 people. Birthdays, anniversaries, Christenings and funerals have all been held there in the past.

Accessibility

There are 16 wheelchair spaces in the George Fox Stand Lower stand and 11 in the Eddie Thompson Stand. Wheelchair spaces in both of the stands are full with a waiting list. There is availability in the West Stand (Shed) for certain matches. If you are just wishing to attend the occasional game, an application should be made as above prior to the game to ensure appropriate admittance.

A Dundee United disability season ticket entitles the holder to all DUFC games at Tannadice for £140 for adults. For Personal Assistants, when required to attend, entrance cost is included in the ticket price. Visually impaired supporters can be accommodated in the lower tier of the George Fox Stand where they receive access to match commentary through headphones. This service is provided by the Dundee Blind and Partially Sighted Society and supporters should liaise with this organization in the first instance.

Access: Wheelchair users accommodated in the George Fox Stand enter from the appropriately manned doors at either end of the stand. Wheelchair users accessing the Eddie Thompson Stand should do so by use of the ramp at the rear of the stand where they will be directed to the appropriate area. The West Stand access is via Gate R, which is situated on Sandeman Street adjacent to the turnstiles.

Parking: There is a facility for non-bookable disabled parking (12 spaces) at the east side of North Isla Street (between Tannadice Street and Fairbairn Street) or at the south kerb of Sandeman Street (between the east end of the George Fox Stand and Arklay Street).

Disabled Away Supporters at Tannadice:  For smaller games, there is a facility for four wheelchair spaces situated between the Fair Play and West Stand.

At larger games, when the away support is allocated in the West Stand, there are 12 spaces present. Disabled away supporters are requested to contact their own club to purchase tickets for the game.

Access: Wheelchair users attending the smaller games should enter the park via Gate K, which is situated in Tannadice Street adjacent to the Fair Play Stand.

At larger games, they should enter the West Stand via Gate R, which is situated in Sandeman Street.

History

The stadium was used by any number of local teams in the 19th century before Dundee East End started using it regularly in 1882. It has housed numerous Dundee-based teams over the years, including Dundee East End F.C., Dundee Violet F.C., Johnstone Wanderers F.C. and Dundee Wanderers F.C. It was when Dundee Hibernian, as United were then known, took over the ground in 1909 that things started to look up and it was given a significant facelift.

The biggest change in the ground’s history occurred at the start of the 1990s. The Taylor Report into The Hillsborough Disaster declared that all top-flight stadia in the UK should become all-seater affairs. At the time, it only had 2252 seats despite its capacity of 22,310. The club considered ground-sharing with Dundee for a time but instead opted to develop Tannadice Park, building two new grandstands. The Fair Play Stand was added in 1997.