United Debut: v. Hearts (A) 8/3/69.
Signed From: Dundee North End 10/6/66.
Transferred to: Raith Rovers (Free Tansfer) 11/4/86.
McAlpine made his debut in 1969 but had to battle with Sandy Davie and Don Mackay for the No.1 jersey until finally making it his own in 1974, and in the first 10 years of the Premier Division, he only missed 22 of the 360 games played. Was first choice penalty taker for a period in the 70's, which led to some comical antics when he missed! McAlpine lifted the League Cup in 1979 - captain Hegarty stepping aside to honour his Goalie's contribution to the club, and also played a vital role in United's League Cup success in 1980 and was an ever-present during United's League winning campaign. Was voted SFWA Player of the Year in 1985 before losing his place to Billy Thomson through injury the following season. McAlpine must be one of the best ever keepers never to play for Scotland. It's amazing how such a great professional who played top flight football for nearly 20 years was never capped above U-21 level.
League Cup Winner 1979
7 Appearances
Premier League Champion 1983
36 Appearances
League Cup Winner 1980
11 Appearances
| League | Scot Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | ||||||
| App. | Gls. | App. | Gls. | App. | Gls. | App. | Gls. | App. | Gls. | |
| 1968-69 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - |
| 1969-70 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1970-71 | 24 | - | 4 | - | - | - | 2 | - | 30 | - |
| 1971-72 | 29 | - | 1 | - | 6 | - | - | - | 36 | - |
| 1972-73 | 24 | - | 1 | - | 8 | - | - | - | 33 | - |
| 1973-74 | 19 | - | 2 | - | 6 | - | - | - | 27 | - |
| 1974-75 | 34 | - | 3 | - | 6 | - | 4 | - | 47 | - |
| 1975-76 | 36 | 1 | 3 | - | 6 | - | 4 | - | 49 | 1 |
| 1976-77 | 36 | 2 | 1 | - | 6 | - | - | - | 43 | 2 |
| 1977-78 | 35 | - | 4 | - | 8 | - | 2 | - | 49 | - |
| 1978-79 | 36 | - | 1 | - | 2 | - | 2 | - | 41 | - |
| 1979-80 | 29 | - | 2 | - | 7 | - | 4 | - | 42 | - |
| 1980-81 | 36 | - | 7 | - | 11 | - | 4 | - | 58 | - |
| 1981-82 | 34 | - | 5 | - | 10 | - | 8 | - | 58 | - |
| 1982-83 | 36 | - | 1 | - | 9 | - | 8 | - | 54 | - |
| 1983-84 | 34 | - | 4 | - | 10 | - | 8 | - | 56 | - |
| 1984-85 | 25 | - | 6 | - | 3 | - | 5 | - | 39 | - |
| 1985-86 | 8 | - | - | - | 5 | - | 1 | - | 14 | - |
|
Total
|
477 | 3 | 45 | 0 | 103 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 677 | 3 |
