Jim McLean resigned as chairman and managing director of Dundee United last night following a trackside incident in which he is alleged to have punched a BBC sports reporter. The dramatic announcement brings to an end one of the most controversial and colourful careers in Scottish football. The club issued a brief statement confirming McLean's departure. It read: "The board of directors will meet next week and a further statement will be made in due course." The incident which precipitated the end of McLean's 29-year association with the Tannadice club took place moments after United's 4-0 defeat by Hearts.

The club chairman had agreed to be interviewed by John Barnes, a BBC Radio Scotland sports reporter. However at the conclusion of that interview, and following a question inviting McLean to comment on the pressure on manager Alex Smith, an altercation is alleged to have occurred. Several witnesses saw McLean hit Barnes, who was later seen with a bloodied lip. The journalist was treated by United's club doctor, before being seen by Doug Smith, the club vice-chairman and in the presence of a club lawyer. The vice-chairman, on behalf of the club, offered Barnes an "unreserved apology". Ironically, while United's directors were dealing with one crisis, a crowd of 200 disgruntled fans had gathered outside the main entrance to chant for the board's resignation. They specifically called for McLean to quit a club he managed for almost 22 years before his elevation to the chairmanship in 1993. The shock resignation brought to an end a disastrous day for United, who were humiliated by Hearts and remain bottom of the SPL, without a league win after 11 games. Indeed, the club have yet to manage a league win at Tannadice this year, highlighting the deep and enduring problems at a club which was once a proud part of the "New Firm" which reshaped Scottish football in the 1980s.

McLean was the architect of that success, for the side he built when he succeeded Jerry Kerr as manager in December 1971 went on to both domestic and European success.They famously won the league in 1983, and became the first Scottish team to reach the final of Uefa Cup when they were beaten by Gothenburg in 1987. However, the ghosts of Gothenburg have haunted the club, as successive managers have tried to revive former glories, while McLean's controversial reign in the boardroom continued. That reign came to an end last night. The fall-out is sure to continue this week. Pressure groups like United for Change have finally got what they wanted, but in the most unexpected of circumstances. Alex Smith must now try and dig his side out of serious relegation danger. After yesterday's defeat he claimed to know nothing about the incident involving Barnes and McLean, but he was well aware of the frustration of supporters who had voiced their anger throughout the match against Hearts. T

he manager, himself the victim of fan power when he was removed as manager of Aberdeen, said: "The fans protesting is understandable. But I've seen this before and I have seen them turn just a quickly." Their mood may well have changed when news of McLean's departure filtered across Dundee. Meanwhile, Tayside Police said they had not received any complaint relating to the incident at Tannadice. And a spokesman for the BBC said there was no decision yet about further action on behalf of John Barnes. ©Sunday Herald