For many, it seems like only yesterday, but this year marks the 10th anniversary of Dundee United first moving to date with their training regime via use of state-of-the-art facilities at St Andrews University.
And the news is, despite relegation and a major review of all expenditure, it’s a situation that will continue.
In the interests of accuracy, it should be said the Tangerines’ time over the water hasn’t been unbroken.
It was during Craig Brewster’s era as manager the squad first used the base that would become a second home.
But it was not until Craig Levein’s arrival the country’s most prestigious seat of learning was used on a permanent basis.
In the years since, the relationship has developed. It’s one that’s been beneficial to both parties.
The club’s had use of facilities that are second to none. That includes the highly-regarded complexes at Murray Park and Lennoxtown that Rangers and Celtic have ploughed millions into.
Rental fees apart, for the university the obvious benefit has been recognition for the complex throughout the football world.
Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City and others have headed there, safe in the knowledge the facility is geared to meet the needs of a top professional football club. They’ve all left delighted.
Proud as he is of that, the university’s director of sport and exercise, Stephen Stewart, takes as much pleasure from the increase in activity United’s arrival helped pave the way for.
“I love the vibrancy of having 30 young professional sportsmen here and the banter they bring,” he said.
“We’ve always catered very well for our students but when I arrived it was a quiet place. Now it’s busy and there are all sorts of activities. We have excellent facilities — the great thing is they’re being used.”
It was through a happy coincidence United decided they should be at St Andrew’s for the long haul.
Previously at Loughborough University, Stewart got to know Levein as manager of Leicester City.
“When I moved here, Craig contacted me and we talked about bringing the United squad over.
“He knew what we had to offer. I knew with him in charge we could make it work.
“If it wasn’t for him, the permanent move might not have taken place. When Dundee University learned he was thinking of coming, they had talks with United.
“Fair play to them, it was good business, but by then Craig felt he’d committed to us and he liked the facilities here. He was the driving force.”
The relationship remains strong and Hearts, where Levein is director of football, will spend part of their pre-season build-up at St Andrews. And there’s every chance bigger names will be back.
“Clubs like coming here and word about us has spread. For Barcelona, we put in a new pitch to their specifications.
“When Sir Alex Ferguson brought Man United, they asked to use what’s come to be known as the Barcelona pitch.
“They were up during the season when it had been in use a lot, so we prepared other pitches. When their coaching staff had a look, they agreed the ones they were getting were better.
“Now we get clubs asking if they’ll get the Barcelona or the Man United pitches.
“And when Manchester City were up, they were so impressed they offered our groundsman a job.”
While everyone gets five-star treatment, United will always be VIP guests.
“They’re part of the fabric of the place. We have a contract that lays out what they can use but they get so much more.
“The players can work with our staff and our strength and conditioning man Allan Gartshore, who works for United at games. If players want to play tennis just for a bit of relaxation, or use the gym, we’re happy to oblige.”
Recently the partnership has taken on a competitive edge, something Stewart’s keen to highlight.
“We’ve had a good relationship with the various managers and still hear from them. Football being football, they come and go.
“Coaches like Dave Bowman have been here years and now that’s led to games between the staffs.
“He won’t want this reported, but the only way to describe our record is that we’re unbeaten.”
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