Amalgamation may be the only answer

Sir, – In this week’s Talking Football (“Mccann staring at the exit?”, Courier, September 19) your writer Ian Roache comments that “it is regrettable that at such a positive time for the city, thanks to the opening of the V&A, the two Dundee football clubs are performing so poorly”.

Gone are the days when, as in the 1960s with Dundee and then in the 1980s with United, it was possible for either club, on its own, to realistically challenge at the top of the Scottish League, and also make a name for themselves in Europe (Brexit permitting).

Nowadays, with their vastly superior resources and attendances, Celtic and Rangers are seemingly guaranteed to fight for top position.

They are inevitably followed by the other clubs able to attract attendances in excess of 15,000 – namely the two Edinburgh clubs of Hearts and Hibs – plus Aberdeen. A merger may not find favour with a majority of supporters but as things exist today, and potentially in the future, it may just be that it presents the only realistic possibility of keeping Dundee to the forefront of Scottish football.

A purpose-built stadium with all the business opportunity accessories would be required.

There would also need to be agreement on a suitable club name and colours. Given the current situation it would be interesting to ascertain the views of both clubs’ current management on this potential scenario.

Crowds of football fans gather for a Dundee v Rangers game in 1949.