Gordon Chisholm

Gordon William Chisholm (born 8 April 1960 in Glasgow) is a Scottish professional football former player and manager.

Chisholm played as a central defender for Sunderland, Hibernian, Dundee and Partick Thistle.

After retiring as a player, Chisholm became a coach, working in some of his roles as assistant to Ian McCall.

Chisholm started his career at Sunderland where he spent seven years and was a member of the side that reached the final of the Football League Cup in March 1985, where they lost 1–0 to Norwich City.

Unfortunately for Chisholm, he deflected Asa Hartford's shot into the net for Norwich's winning goal.

Chisholm moved back to Scotland later that year, when he joined Hibernian for a £65,000 fee.

He scored a goal on his Hibs debut, a Scottish League Cup semi-final win against Rangers.

This meant that Chisholm achieved the unusual feat of playing in League Cup Finals in the same calendar year in both England and Scotland.

Unfortunately for Chisholm, both finals were lost, as Hibs lost 3–0 to Aberdeen.

He later had spells at Dundee and Partick Thistle before retiring in 1992.

Chisholm was a "tall, commanding central defender" who "could also play in the holding midfield role".

Chisholm had assistant manager roles at Partick Thistle, Clydebank, Ross County, Airdrie, Falkirk and Dundee United, primarily working with Ian McCall.

Chisholm succeeded McCall as manager of Dundee United in 2005, and guided the club to the 2005 Scottish Cup Final, which they lost 1–0 to Celtic.

He was sacked the following season, however, and was subsequently appointed manager of Scottish First Division club Queen of the South.

Chisholm was appointed as caretaker manager of Dundee United on 14 March 2005, following the sacking of Ian McCall.

Chisholm suffered 3–2 defeats against both Celtic and Hibernian in his first two matches in charge.

The following week, however, Chisholm's team triumphed over Hibernian, Rangers and Hearts.

United then went on to end a run of eight games over three years without a win against neighbours Dundee, with goals by Mark Wilson and Jim McIntyre sealing a 2–1 win.

These results meant that Chisholm won the SPL manager of the month award in his first full month in charge of the team (April 2005).

Chisholm's team then retained SPL status in dramatic style with a late Barry Robson penalty at Inverness on the final day of the season.

United's victory against Hibs meant that they reached the 2005 Scottish Cup Final, which they lost 1–0 against Celtic.

As Celtic had already qualified for the UEFA Champions League, however, United qualified for the UEFA Cup.

Chisholm was given the position of manager on a permanent basis on 24 May 2005.

Despite spending considerable money on players such as Lee Miller, Dundee United were eliminated in the qualifying stage of the UEFA Cup by Finnish team MyPa.

Poor league form and a 3–2 defeat against Aberdeen in the third round of the Scottish Cup, after having led 2–0, led to Chisholm being sacked on 10 January 2006 by Dundee United chairman Eddie Thompson.

Chisholm again became Ian McCall's assistant, this time at Dumfries club Queen of the South, until McCall's departure from the club at the end of the 2006–07 season.

Chisholm then accepted the role as manager, appointing Kenny Brannigan as his assistant manager.

Chairman Davie Rae also announced that the club would become fully professional that season.

Chisholm guided the club to the 2008 Scottish Cup Final, which they lost 3–2 to Rangers.

In March 2008, Chisholm guided Queens to only their second ever Scottish Cup semi-final appearance with a 2–0 quarter final victory against Dundee, a game notable for a goal from 84 yards by Ryan McCann.

Queens followed this with a 4–3 win against Aberdeen in the semi-final, which meant that Chisholm had guided Queens to their first ever Scottish Cup Final appearance.

Despite second half Queens goals by Steve Tosh and Jim Thomson, Rangers ran out 3–2 winners in the Final.

Queens finished fourth in the Scottish First Division.

As Rangers had already qualified for the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League through their league position, Queens entered the 2008–09 UEFA Cup competition.

They were drawn in a qualification round against Danish club FC Nordsjælland.

The first leg, hosted at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie, was played in a quagmire with the Danes running out 2–1 winners.

Queens delivered a stronger performance in the return leg, controlling most of the game but with only one goal to show for their superiority.

With a 1–0 victory of no value in an aggregate result due to the away goals rule and Queens pushing all out for the second goal, the Danes took advantage to score two goals in the last five minutes.

Chisholm's team selection for the UEFA Cup ties caused some surprise.

Chisholm left Queens in 2010 to manage Dundee, but was made redundant when the club went into administration in October 2010.