Dundee Utd F.C.

[Uilleam 5,948]

I see that Thompson is retaining Blair Spittal, Scott Fraser, Simon Murray and Luis Swick, presumably to flog to rasellik at the earliest opportunity,

at fire sale prices.

 

Young Mr Spittal is something of a Bluenose, which may have to be taken into account. Actually I think that he has potential, and is worth a look.

[ian1964 10,724]

I see that Thompson is retaining Blair Spittal, Scott Fraser, Simon Murray and Luis Swick, presumably to flog to rasellik at the earliest opportunity,

at fire sale prices.

 

Young Mr Spittal is something of a Bluenose, which may have to be taken into account. Actually I think that he has potential, and is worth a look.

 

I can't see them dealing with Rangers regardless of their plight!,they would try and screw us,anyway the BHEASTS get 1st call on any of their players,we don't need any of their players tbh!,they got relegated for a reason.

[ian1964 10,724]

JIM SPENCE

 

May 5, 2016

 

Dundee United have secured the services of freelance TV and radio broadcaster and Courier columnist, Jim Spence, as Club consultant.

 

Jim will use his life-long support of United and public relations expertise to advise and interact with the Board on the supporters’ liaison area of the Club – an area acknowledged as in need of improvement since the retirement of the late Derek Robertson as Director.

 

Chairman Stephen Thompson said, “Jim has given us some very useful insights this week already on an informal basis. In these challenging times for the Club, it makes sense now to draw upon his wide experience.”

 

Spence, who currently writes a weekly column for the Courier and previously worked for BBC Sport for over twenty five years in radio and television, recently went freelance and will operate in that capacity for United.

 

Before his career in media he was a law lecturer at Dundee College.

 

He said “I met the Board recently and told them some harsh truths. They are prepared to embrace the changes which they accept are needed at Tannadice.”

 

Spence said, “A new manager will soon be appointed and there will be more open and regular communication with United fans and also with the media who, despite perceptions, have a vital and tough job to do.”

 

“I’ll be working closely with the Board and current staff. My involvement will see the Club tackle the issue of better engagement and accessibility for United fans. It will also allow other staff to focus on continuing the good work they do behind the scenes at Tannadice.

 

“An open monthly meeting for all fans will be held, and we will investigate the possibility of a weekly drop in centre at Tannadice or elsewhere, where supporters can raise any issues of concern.

 

“This is a great Club with a proud domestic and European history. Devout United fans feel badly let down and are right to be angry, but we can either whine or get wired in and get the Club back on its feet.”

 

“The immediate job in hand is to ensure the financial health and wellbeing of the Club and to restore United’s dignity and pride, both of which have been badly bruised. I’ve sought assurances from the Chairman that while he is here, he will continue to seek fresh investment, and that he is determined to put right the mistakes which he and the board acknowledge they have made.”

 

http://dufc.co/news/jim-spence/

[ian1964 10,724]

Mystery man to Dundee United's rescue? Businessman Hugh Duncan hints he's ready to write another cheque

 

DUNCAN, 78, is a long time United fan who was previously a director of the Wood Group, the multi-national oil and gas company based in Aberdeen.

 

THE mystery man who holds security over Tannadice has emerged as a potential saviour for Dundee United.

 

Former businessman Hugh Duncan, who previously provided the club with a soft loan of £1.6 million, has hinted he’s ready to write another cheque to stave off any threat of administration.

 

Duncan, 78, is a long time United fan who was previously a director of the Wood Group, the multi-national oil and gas company based in Aberdeen.

 

Little is known about Duncan, who lives in Edinburgh and was granted security over Tannadice as a condition of his loan, which was repayable over four years at an interest rate of six per cent.

 

United made the first payment of £370,000 in February, with the next chunk due in February 2017, but Tannadice insiders claim he is a friend of the club who has already indicated a willingness to help further.

 

One source said: “Hugh is a blue blood Arab and the money owed to him is the only debt the club are carrying.

 

“When he provided his original loan he was even reluctant to be assigned security over Tannadice, which had been held by the banks for 20 years previously.

 

“Hugh has already intimated he is ready to provide further funding, on a soft loan basis, if it’s needed to see United through the next few, challenging months.

 

“The club needs to assess its financial position in terms of season ticket income and other revenue streams on the basis of its relegation to the Championship .”

 

One leading financial expert, with experience of dealing with Scottish clubs in administration, reckons the next few months could be the most challenging since United twice came close to financial collapse in the 1930s.

 

United posted an operating loss of £800,000 in the last financial year and admitted such losses could only be maintained by successful player transfer trading, of which there was no guarantee.

 

United chairman Stephen Thompson has already wielded the axe, clearing the decks for a new manager with a brutal 21 player cull, with only four players assured of their future at the club.

 

The senior financial figure, who didn’t want to be named, said: “A winning season in the Championship can generate decent crowds, but with so many players departing it will affect the quality a new manager can put on the pitch. It’s a vicious circle.

 

“Stephen Thompson is clearly making moves to cut costs to the bone and ensure the club avoids a formal administration appointment . The owner must be brutal in his decision making.

 

“The sanctions would be so swingeing - a 15 points deduction in the first season, five points the next, as well as a likely transfer embargo and uncertainty over revenue streams from sources such as season tickets and corporate hospitality.

 

“It is becoming more difficult to emerge from every new administration event in Scottish football, but Dunfermline, Dundee and Hearts have proved it can be done.

 

“If United did go into administration only the mobilisation of fans, preferably with the emergence of a figure such as Ann Budge, could get them through it.

 

“Hugh Duncan’s position could be key, particularly as he’s a United fan. There would be little point in pushing the club towards administration if his loan repayments can’t be met. And would he really like to be known as the man who sold Tannadice?

 

“It’s more likely he will renegotiate the repayment of his loan over a longer term and it would be a significant boost if he was to provide further funding on a soft loan basis, even in the short term.

 

“United could be in line for a significant cash injection if Andy Robertson is sold by Hull City this summer. League reconstruction may only be a season or two away.

 

“Even if they don’t return to the top flight at the first time of asking next year, all is not necessarily lost.”

 

Read more at http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mystery-man-dundee-uniteds-rescue-7907173#rGiR53SYTd60wUQ4.99

[ranger_syntax 4,329]

Any chance that we can use the Fighting Fund to buy Dundee United?

[RANGERRAB 3,677]

Any chance that we can use the Fighting Fund to buy Dundee United?

 

From the loose change?

[RANGERRAB 3,677]

Why dont they just start another 'sell-out saturday ' ?

[ian1964 10,724]

Why dont they just start another 'sell-out saturday ' ?

 

LOL!, this is why I have a new hatred for every Scottish club & fans and Scottish football in general for the way they all tried to kill our club,it has turned me into a bitter person/foootball fan and I don't think that will ever change for as long as I live,sad but true!, the only way we have of sticking two fingers up at Scottish football is to keep winning on the pitch

[Whosthedado 1,685]

LOL!, this is why I have a new hatred for every Scottish club & fans and Scottish football in general for the way they all tried to kill our club,it has turned me into a bitter person/foootball fan and I don't think that will ever change for as long as I live,sad but true!, the only way we have of sticking two fingers up at Scottish football is to keep winning on the pitch

 

Totally agree. I watched the Dundee derby on Monday instead of the Leicester game and I laughed if you had said that a few years back. Didn't feel a tinge of sympathy for that old ba****d greeting either, I was more thinking get it right up ye

[ian1964 10,724]

Totally agree. I watched the Dundee derby on Monday instead of the Leicester game and I laughed if you had said that a few years back. Didn't feel a tinge of sympathy for that old ba****d greeting either, I was more thinking get it right up ye

 

I remember I used to watch and hope the Scottish teams did well in Europe!,with the exception of the BHEASTS,but now I actually don't care!,the same for the Scotland international team.