By Stefan Morkis

Dundee United legend Paul Sturrock has provoked outrage after referring to Dundee FC as “Scumdee b******s.”

Sturrock, who revealed last week that he has been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for eight years, made the comments after Dundee United’s friendly against Plymouth Argyle, the team he manages, on Saturday.

United won the game 1-0 through a goal from new signing Francisco Sandaza, but the result has now been overshadowed by controversy.

Dundee United fans stayed in Argyle’s Home Park ground for around 25 minutes after the conclusion of the game, chanting Sturrock’s name.

After he reappeared from the Plymouth changing room, the 51-year-old was handed a microphone and addressed the United support.

Sturrock told the United fans, “I hope you have a great season…and make sure you beat those Scumdee b******s.”

Footage of the incident has now been posted on internet video site YouTube—and provoked fury from Dundee fans.

Several contacted The Courier expressing their anger while hundreds of messages were left on internet supporters’ message boards about Sturrock’s comments.

One Dark Blues fan told The Courier, “I can’t believe he said something like that the week after Dundee fans sent him messages of support.

“His comments are beyond contempt.”

Another fan added, “I spent the last week telling my son that Parkinson’s is above and beyond footballing rivalry—he even sent a message of support for Mr Sturrock on the Plymouth Argyle website.

“But now I can’t believe that Mr Sturrock has come out with those comments. It is appalling behaviour.”

Another described his comments as a “slur on our city as well as our football club.”

Dundee Lord Provost John Letford said Sturrock’s comments were “disappointing.”

“It is taking rivalry a bit too far,” he said.

“I know there is rivalry between the two clubs as well as anybody else but it’s never been anything more than banter.

“His language is a bit strong.

“I have connections with both clubs. They are both Dundee teams and any derogatory remarks about either of them are very disappointing.

“We are not talking about supporters here but people with very good reputations in football.”

Sturrock later apologised if he had caused any offence and said his comments had been intended as banter.

He said, “My remarks were entirely tongue-in-cheek.

“If I have offended anyone I apologise but it was just banter, the sort of thing I’ve been on the receiving end of for the last 25 years whenever I’ve been out on the town in Dundee.

“I have no ill feelings towards Dundee fans and was deeply touched by the kind messages of support I received from them last week when I revealed I was suffering from Parkinson’s disease.”

Nobody from Dundee United was available for comment last night.