Frank Kopel

Frank Kopel (28 March 1949 – 16 April 2014) was a Scottish footballer who played as a left back. Born in Falkirk, he had an 18-year professional football career, during which he played for Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Dundee United and Arbroath. He then went into coaching, becoming assistant manager at Arbroath and Forfar Athletic with a spell on the Dundee United coaching staff in between.

Career Kopel was born in Falkirk and was a Scottish schoolboy international before signing for Manchester United as a schoolboy in 1964. He turned professional in 1966 and made his debut as a substitute in a 2–2 draw at home to Burnley on 9 September 1967. He made his full debut – and his only other appearance for the 1967–68 season – on 28 October 1967, playing at right-back in a 3–1 defeat away to Nottingham Forest. Kopel made a further 10 appearances for Manchester United during the 1968–69 season, including his European debut against Anderlecht on 27 November 1968,

He joined Dundee United in January 1972; the first signing made by the club's new manager Jim McLean. Kopel would remain at Tannadice for the next ten years, playing nearly 400 first team games, and picking up two League Cup and two Scottish Cup runners-up medals during his time with the Terrors.

Legacy Kopel has a Dundee United Supporters Club named after him, Frank Kopel's Travelling Shindig. In 2011, he was inducted into Dundee United's official Hall of Fame.

He was diagnosed as suffering vascular dementia in 2008. He died at age 65 at his home in Kirriemuir on 16 April 2014. He was survived by his wife and their son, Scott. Among attendees at the service at Kirriemuir Old Parish Church were ex United teammates, Dave Narey, Paul Hegarty, Davie Dodds, Hamish McAlpine and Maurice Malpas. Also in attendance were former assistant manager Walter Smith and ex Dundee players Jocky Scott and Bobby Glennie.

Honours Dundee United Scottish League Cup (2): 1979–80, 1980–81