Gussie Park ‘so important’ to United’s future

TONY Asghar has hailed the impending return of Dundee United’s youth teams to Gussie Park.

The training ground, in the shadow of Tannadice, has received huge investment in recent years.

Tangerines owner Mark Ogren and the Dundee United Supporters’ Foundation (DUSF) have both contributed large sums to fund upgrades at Gussie, where United’s U18s and women’s teams are set to base themselves next season.

The quality of the new facilities will provide players with a firstrate environment in which to work.

And the Tangerines’ sporting director believes playing within sight of Tannadice will provide an additional incentive to everyone who takes the field at Gussie.

He said: “Gussie Park is hugely important to us. When Mark first came into the club, one of the first things he did was buy Gussie back off the owners.

“The pitch wasn’t conducive to Club Academy Scotland and we were failing in a lot of areas.

“The floodlights weren’t up-todate and we had to look at how we were going to build it.

“We had to start turning it into a place, similar to what previous owners had done, that would see players coming through from there.

“Having it in the shadow of Tannadice is a huge incentive to players.

“We now have the pitch laid and new floodlights put in, thanks to the money Mark Ogren has invested along with the Dundee United Supporters’ Foundation and grant money obtained by Dundee United Community Trust.

“It’s a great partnership and is working well.

“Our U18 teams will be based there next season.

“The community trust have a partnership that will see them working more at Gussie Park. It will also be a base for the Women’s team next year as they have been promoted to the SWPL.

“It’s really important to have a base in Dundee.”

United’s first-team stars train at the same St Andrews University grounds used by the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United in recent years, while on summer training camps.