Stand United
TANNADICE TURMOIL Thompson pleads with Arabs: Boo me all you like but don’t stay away as we chase a return to the Premiership
DUNDEE UNITED chairman Stephen Thompson insists he can handle the personal abuse – it’s the empty seats at Tannadice he just can’t stomach.
The Tannadice chairman knows Scottish football faces challenging times in the current financial climate but yesterday he urged the United fans not to desert their club during its hour of need.
Earlier this month a new supporters group, Fans United, staged a protest and displayed “Thompson Out” banners during a 1-0 home loss to Hibs. Thompson said: “There has been a lot of personal pressure and I suppose that takes its toll to a degree. “Social media has changed a lot of things. You just have to deal with it. It is what it is. “It would be easier not to go to games but I love the club and I’m frustrated about where we are. “Maybe I’m stubborn but I’m determined to get us back in the Premiership. I know I become the fans’ punchbag but you expect that because people have to point the finger at somebody.
“Nobody at the club is happy with where we are – the fans aren’t happy, I’m not happy, the board’s not happy and the staff aren’t happy.
“To go straight back up – which is what we all want – is not easy. The loyalty of our fans is so important to this club.
“We’re not the biggest club even though we do aspire to be a top-six club. We have 5000 season-ticket holders and I think Hibs are next in terms of numbers or even Aberdeen with their 11,000 or 12,000 season tickets – that’s a big difference. That’s what we aspire to but it’s difficult.
“We all want to be together for the club going forward. I know there are a few people not happy with me but this is about supporting the club we love. If we don’t stick together you know the consequences.
“I can understand the fans’ frustrations because it has been a spectacular fall.
“We’ve been used to going to cup finals but we can’t keep going on about the past. We have to learn from it and move forward.
“I can understand the fans being concerned but why was nobody worried when we had £7.3million of debt?
“What has happened is we’ve talked openly about finances over the last few years and now it’s getting used against us.
“It’s a challenge. I’m up for that challenge but we need the fans to support the club.”
Relegation has hit United hard financially and Thompson admits the club have had to draw up contingency plans for next season should they fail to go back up.
He said: “Relegation has cost the club between £1.25m and £1.5m this season.
“That reflects the size of the playing budget we have.
“You can slash the budget, of course, but it’s far less than it was last season when we spent money to try to stay in the Premiership.
“We ’re already thinking about next season and what will happen if we don’t go up.”