Club and former boss set for battle in court

DUNDEE FC are locked in a legal battle with former manager Paul Hartley over claims he could attempt to put the club into liquidation, the Tele can reveal today.

The Dens Park side and their former boss, who was sacked from his job in April, are set to go head-tohead at a hearing at Dundee Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

Sources allege that Hartley has threatened to petition to have the club liquidated, amid claims he is still owed money by Dee chiefs.

A legal interdict is in place to stop him making that move — but it’s understood that Hartley could bid to have that withdrawn at the interim hearing.

Legal representatives from both sides will put their cases forward to a sheriff but a decision may not be made on the day.

If Hartley attempts to have the interdict withdrawn, but the sheriff rejects that, it will prevent Hartley from making any moves to liquidate the company.

But if the sheriff decides to remove the interdict, it could give Hartley the chance to attempt to force the club into paying him the money he wants.

It’s believed that Hartley wants the wages he would have been paid for the rest of his contract in a lump sum, rather than in separate payments, which would allow him to apply for jobs elsewhere.

The Tele attempted to contact Hartley for comment but he couldn’t be reached.

Dundee FC declined to comment today and a lawyer for Thorntons, which is representing the club in the matter, also said she couldn’t speak about the case.

Former Scotland international Hartley joined Dundee in 2014 after a playing career which saw him appear for clubs including Celtic, St Johnstone, Aberdeen and Hearts.

He won promotion from the Championship that year and went on to establish the club’s place in the top flight.

However, he lost his job in April after a run of seven straight defeats, and was later replaced by Neil McCann.

In a statement released after his sacking, Hartley said: “I’m disappointed not to have been given the chance to see out the remainder of the season because I firmly believe we would have retained our SPFL Premiership status.”

He added: “However, I respect the decision made by the Dundee FC board and would like to wish everyone success in the final five games of the campaign.

“I’m very proud of what I achieved at Dundee since I was appointed manager in February 2014.”

Paul Hartley pictured during his time as manager of Dundee FC.