Ralph Milne was a Scottish professional footballer whose clubs included Dundee United, Charlton Athletic, Bristol City and Manchester United.
34 Facts About Ralph Milne
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Ralph Milne played as both an attacking midfielder or a winger.
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In recognition of his contribution to the most successful period in the club's history, Milne has been inducted into the Dundee United Hall of Fame alongside several of his former teammates.
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Ralph Milne made a total of 285 appearances for Dundee United in major competitions and is the club's all-time top scorer in Europe with a tally of 15 goals.
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Ralph Milne is often considered to be among the best Scottish footballers not to win a full senior cap.
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Ralph Milne was born in Dundee, the youngest of four siblings, on 13 May 1961.
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Ralph Milne was moved forward a year in primary school due to his remarkable academic progress.
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Ralph Milne began his football career as a youth with Dundee Celtic Boys Club, where he played initially as a striker and had a prolific goalscoring record.
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Ralph Milne was named as the club's Reserve Player of the Year and picked up a 1979 Scottish League Cup Final winners medal despite not being named in the matchday squad.
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Ralph Milne achieved his peak goal tally in his career that season, scoring 21 goals in all competitions.
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Ralph Milne was with Dundee United for a further three seasons and still a regular player, although he scored less frequently.
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Ralph Milne aggravated a hamstring injury in the final against Rangers and was out of action for three months.
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However, Ralph Milne had left in January 1987 before these high-profile games took place, sold to Charlton Athletic, having lost his place in the side to the up-and-coming Kevin Gallacher.
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Ralph Milne made a total of 285 appearances for Dundee United in major competitions and is the club's all-time top scorer in Europe with a tally of 15 goals.
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Ralph Milne only played as a late substitute in the first leg at Selhurst Park and ended the game with a broken jaw after being elbowed by Micky Adams.
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Ralph Milne's form attracted attention elsewhere, with Aberdeen among those interested, and a move Ralph Milne favoured to be near his son and other family in Scotland.
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On being called into a meeting with manager, Joe Jordan, Ralph Milne was told by Jordan that he had no intention of letting him nor any of his other best players leave, but that he would make an exception for Manchester United.
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Ralph Milne's season was ended shortly afterwards after he picked up groin injury that required surgery.
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Ferguson remarked that Ralph Milne helped Sharpe by both dropping back to protect Sharpe and by giving him positional advice.
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Ralph Milne remained on United's payroll until 30 June 1991, when he was released.
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Ralph Milne had unsuccessful trials with Turkish club MKE Ankaragucu and Danish side Esbjerg fB in 1991.
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Ralph Milne had a trial spell at Derry City before quitting football at the age of 32.
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Ralph Milne made a further two appearances for the under-21 side as an overage player in the autumn of 1983, playing against Belgium and East Germany.
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Ralph Milne was never capped for the senior team, and has been cited as one of the best Scottish footballers not to win a full senior cap.
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Ralph Milne was naturally right-footed, though he trained hard with his left foot as a boy to become equally skilled with both feet.
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Former Dundee United teammate Paul Hegarty stated that Ralph Milne possessed great pace, as well as bravery, a good work ethic, and an ability to score important goals.
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Ralph Milne should have won a bundle of Scotland international honours.
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Ralph Milne did not have the right attitude to the game and I could not instil that into him.
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Ralph Milne married Kim from 1985 to 1988, and the couple had a son, Bradley.
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Ralph Milne had a son, Robert, with new partner Lee in 1990.
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Ralph Milne had admitted to problems with alcoholism and problem gambling during and after his playing career.
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Ralph Milne was always an enthusiastic drinker throughout his career, but he lost his passion for football after picking up an injury in 1990 and began drinking in a way which began to severely damage his health.
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Ralph Milne appeared in court in 2010 and 2013, but was never convicted, for allegedly attacking his partner Fiona Spence whilst highly intoxicated.
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Ralph Milne died on 6 September 2015, at the age of 54, due to complications from liver problems.