Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Fans group calling for transparency
ANOTHER Dundee United fans’ group has added its weight to calls for a “new broom” at Tannadice.
The Dundee United Supporters’ Foundation have also called for greater transparency in the Tangerines’ boardroom.
And John Gibson, one of the Foundation’s directors, has revealed their view is that will only come via a new regime.
His group feels Friday’s announcement that Stephen Thompson was standing down as chairman to be replaced by his deputy Mike Martin is no more than a case of “more of the same”.
He added: “We would like to see a new board of directors at United. Mike Martin has been part of a problem over the past seven years so, in effect, we see this as no change,” he said.
“There is also no transparency at the club and we don’t see that changing. The statement on Friday said Stephen Thompson intended to offload most of his shares and we would like to know who to.
“We believe he should be telling fans who the prospective owners are. We appreciate, for reasons of confidentiality, there are some details that can’t be divulged but the fans should be kept informed.
“With United, though, we are told nothing and nobody really knows what’s going on. While for fans it might be a relief to see Stephen Thompson go, they won’t see this as any real change.”
Since plans to sell the club’s Gussie Park facility to the new chairman’s pension fund for £1 million were revealed just over a week ago, membership of the Foundation has jumped to almost 500.
That’s been a taken as a sign of increasing concern over the financial situation at Tannadice.
Since being formed last summer, the Foundation have raised a fivefigure sum that ideally would go towards helping the club.
A poll of members, however, saw 80% vote to withold the money until there is a change of regime at Tannadice.
It’s clear the Foundation does not regard Martin succeeding Thompson as that.
And their concerns about the Gussie Park plan continue.
“A sour taste has been left in the mouth by what’s happened with Gussie Park. Pension fund administrators would only approve the purchase of Gussie Park if there was a return for their fund, that’s the way they have to operate.”
The Foundation, along with fellow groups Fans United and the Federation of Dundee United Supporters’ Clubs, are awaiting a response to a letter sent to the board last Thursday.
In it they sought answers to a number of questions on the financial situation at Tannadice Park and the operational side of the club.
Fans United have already made clear they are opposed to the new chairman’s appointment, though another influential group, ArabTRUST, believe he should be given time to put his own plans for the club in place.
They have an associate director at Tannadice.