Ralph Milne
Encyclopedia
Ralph Milne is a Scottish
former footballer whose clubs included Dundee United
, Charlton Athletic
, Bristol City
and Manchester United
. He played as a midfielder
.
, Milne's manager at Dundee United, summed up Milne's career and footballing ability when writing his own autobiography:-
all-time top scorer in Europe with a tally of 15 in the two competitions - the UEFA and European Cups.
club Charlton Athletic
in the summer of 1987, but stayed there less than a year (in which he failed to score in 22 league games).
, where he was more successful with six goals in 30 Third Division
games.
manager Alex Ferguson
that he was still worth a contract with a top flight club, and in November 1988 he moved to Old Trafford
in a £150,000 deal. Ferguson was looking to build a title winning side two years after joining United, but had seen his side finish second in the league the previous season and now they were on a winless run in the league that saw them mid table behind unfancied clubs including Millwall
, Norwich City
and Coventry City
.
Milne managed three goals in 22 league appearances in 1988-89
, the first on 3 December 1988 in a 3-0 home win over Charlton Athletic
, which ended United's nine-match winless run (eight draws and a defeat) in the Football League First Division
. He also found the net on Boxing Day
in a 2-0 home win over Nottingham Forest
, before scoring his third and final United goal on 25 March 1989 in a 2-0 home win over Luton Town
, once again in the league.
However, he was not a popular player with United fans and is regularly mentioned when the club's worst-ever players are being debated. On 18 November 2009, at an inaugural dinner of the League Managers' Association Hall of Fame 1000 Club, celebrating the 18 men to have managed more than 1,000 domestic league or cup matches, Ferguson remarked that Milne was his worst signing, saying "I only paid £170,000 but still get condemned for it".
After his arrival, United did recover their winning ways for a while and were third in the league by mid February, but another slump dragged them down to 11th in the final table.
In September 1989, Ferguson signed Danny Wallace
from Southampton
. Wallace was not a particularly successful buy for United, and was soon struggling to hold down a place in the first team, but the emergence of Lee Sharpe
meant that Milne was forced out of the first team picture at Old Trafford in 1989-90
, making one substitute appearance in the league. During that season, as United struggled in the league but won the FA Cup
, Milne was loaned out to West Ham United, where he make the final appearance of his career in a League Cup
tie.
He remained on the United's payroll until 30 June 1991, when he was given a free transfer.
and gambling addiction during and after his playing career.
Milne's manager at Dundee United, Jim McLean
has since stated that Milne would have had greater success in his career were it not for his problems with alcohol and discipline.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
former footballer whose clubs included Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
, Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
, Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
and Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. He played as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Career
Jim McLeanJim McLean
James Yuill McLean is a Scottish former football player and manager. He is best known for his 22-year spell as manager of Dundee United; the longest-serving and most successful manager in the club's history, he led them to three major honours and established them as a force in European competitions...
, Milne's manager at Dundee United, summed up Milne's career and footballing ability when writing his own autobiography:-
"If I had an outstanding failure then it was Ralph Milne. He should have been playing in World Cups. He should have won a bundle of Scotland international honours. It was a tragedy that that boy was not playing for his country all the time. He had tremendous talent - and I failed with him. He did not have the right attitude to the game and I could not instil that into him."
Dundee United
Milne is Dundee United'sDundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
all-time top scorer in Europe with a tally of 15 in the two competitions - the UEFA and European Cups.
Charlton Athletic
He was sold to English Football League First DivisionFootball League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
club Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
in the summer of 1987, but stayed there less than a year (in which he failed to score in 22 league games).
Bristol City
Milne dropped down two divisions to join Bristol CityBristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, where he was more successful with six goals in 30 Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
games.
Manchester United
This was enough to convince Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
manager Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
that he was still worth a contract with a top flight club, and in November 1988 he moved to Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
in a £150,000 deal. Ferguson was looking to build a title winning side two years after joining United, but had seen his side finish second in the league the previous season and now they were on a winless run in the league that saw them mid table behind unfancied clubs including Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
, Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
and Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
.
Milne managed three goals in 22 league appearances in 1988-89
1988-89 in English football
The 1988–89 season was the 109th season of competitive football in England.-Hillsborough disaster:On 15 April, a crowd crush at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough killed 94 people and injured more than 300. A 95th Liverpool supporter died in hospital...
, the first on 3 December 1988 in a 3-0 home win over Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
, which ended United's nine-match winless run (eight draws and a defeat) in the Football League First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
. He also found the net on Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
in a 2-0 home win over Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
, before scoring his third and final United goal on 25 March 1989 in a 2-0 home win over Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
, once again in the league.
However, he was not a popular player with United fans and is regularly mentioned when the club's worst-ever players are being debated. On 18 November 2009, at an inaugural dinner of the League Managers' Association Hall of Fame 1000 Club, celebrating the 18 men to have managed more than 1,000 domestic league or cup matches, Ferguson remarked that Milne was his worst signing, saying "I only paid £170,000 but still get condemned for it".
After his arrival, United did recover their winning ways for a while and were third in the league by mid February, but another slump dragged them down to 11th in the final table.
In September 1989, Ferguson signed Danny Wallace
Danny Wallace (footballer)
David Lloyd "Danny" Wallace is an English former footballer who played for Southampton, Manchester United, Millwall, Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers. He won one full cap for England. His football career was ended prematurely by the effects of multiple sclerosis.-Southampton:Wallace was born...
from Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
. Wallace was not a particularly successful buy for United, and was soon struggling to hold down a place in the first team, but the emergence of Lee Sharpe
Lee Sharpe
Lee Stuart Sharpe is an English former footballer. Predominantly a left winger, Sharpe joined Manchester United from Torquay United as a youngster in 1988, playing for the club up until 1996...
meant that Milne was forced out of the first team picture at Old Trafford in 1989-90
1989-90 in English football
-European competitions:English clubs were still banned from competing in European competitions following the Heysel Stadium disaster.- First Division :...
, making one substitute appearance in the league. During that season, as United struggled in the league but won the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, Milne was loaned out to West Ham United, where he make the final appearance of his career in a League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
tie.
He remained on the United's payroll until 30 June 1991, when he was given a free transfer.
Personal life
Milne has admitted to problems with alcoholismAlcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
and gambling addiction during and after his playing career.
Milne's manager at Dundee United, Jim McLean
Jim McLean
James Yuill McLean is a Scottish former football player and manager. He is best known for his 22-year spell as manager of Dundee United; the longest-serving and most successful manager in the club's history, he led them to three major honours and established them as a force in European competitions...
has since stated that Milne would have had greater success in his career were it not for his problems with alcohol and discipline.
Career statistics
| Club | |League | |Lg Cup | |Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||||
| Dundee United Dundee United F.C. Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923... |
1979-80 1979-80 in Scottish football The 1979–80 season was the 83rd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: AberdeenRelegated: Dundee, Hibernian-Scottish League Division One:Promoted: Hearts, Airdrieonians... |
13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 2 | ||||
| 1980-81 1980-81 in Scottish football The 1980-81 season was the 84th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: CelticRelegated: Kilmarnock, Hearts-Scottish League Division One:Promoted: Hibernian, Dundee... |
21 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 10 | |||||
| 1981-82 1981-82 in Scottish football The 1981–82 season was the 85th season of Scottish league football.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: CelticRelegated: Partick Thistle, Airdrieonians-Scottish League Division One:Promoted: Motherwell, Kilmarnock... |
35 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 55 | 14 | |||||
| 1982-83 1982-83 in Scottish football The 1982–83 season was the 86th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:In a tightly fought contest Dundee United win their first and only title this season. The league remains undecided until the last day of the season with Aberdeen, Celtic and Dundee United in contention... |
34 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 49 | 21 | |||||
| 1983-84 1983-84 in Scottish football The 1983–84 season was the 87th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: AberdeenRelegated: St... |
25 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 47 | 12 | |||||
| 1984-85 1984-85 in Scottish football The 1984–85 season was the 88th season of competitive football in Scotland. This is the last time a non Old Firm club has won the Scottish Premier title.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: AberdeenRelegated: Dumbarton, Morton.... |
19 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 31 | 8 | |||||
| 1985-86 1985-86 in Scottish football The 1985–86 season was the 89th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Key events:With Rangers once again failing to mount a title challenge, manager Jock Wallace's second spell as manager ended in April when he was sacked and the club appointed Graeme Souness as player-manager,... |
18 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 29 | 4 | |||||
| 1986-87 1986-87 in Scottish football The 1986–87 season was the 90th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Notable events:In the first full season under the management of player-manager Graeme Souness, Rangers won their first league title since 1978, and also won the League Cup.... |
14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 23 | 2 | |||||
| Total | 179 | 44 | 22 | 0 | 43 | 14 | 42 | 15 | 286 | 73 | |||||
| Charlton Athletic Charlton Athletic F.C. Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,... |
1986-87 1986-87 in English football The 1986–87 season was the 107th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :The First Division championship went to Everton in their final season under the management of Howard Kendall before his departure to Athletic Bilbao. His side overcame a spate of injuries to fight off... |
12 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 12 | 0 | |||||||
| 1987-88 1987-88 in English football The 1987–88 season was the 120th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool won the league title with a comfortable nine-point margin and just two defeats all season.... |
10 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 10 | 0 | ||||||||
| Total | 22 | 0 | |N/A | Bristol City Bristol City F.C. Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City... | 1987-88 1987-88 in English football The 1987–88 season was the 120th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool won the league title with a comfortable nine-point margin and just two defeats all season.... |
19 | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 19 | 4 | |||
| Total | 19 | 4 | |N/A | Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... | 1988-89 1988-89 in English football The 1988–89 season was the 109th season of competitive football in England.-Hillsborough disaster:On 15 April, a crowd crush at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough killed 94 people and injured more than 300. A 95th Liverpool supporter died in hospital... |
22 | 3 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 22 | 3 | |||
| 1989-90 1989-90 in English football -European competitions:English clubs were still banned from competing in European competitions following the Heysel Stadium disaster.- First Division :... |
1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1 | 0 | ||||||||
| Total | 23 | 3 | |N/A | West Ham United West Ham United F.C. West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current... (loan) | 1989-90 1989-90 in English football -European competitions:English clubs were still banned from competing in European competitions following the Heysel Stadium disaster.- First Division :... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| Career total | 243 | 51 | 22 | 0 | 44 | 14 | 42 | 15 | 351 | 80 | |||||