Dundee FC must practise what it preaches

Sir, – As someone who likes to see both of our full-time professional football clubs prosper I write to express concerns for the local community should Dundee FC not recover from their current financial plight.

Despite no football since mid-march, and little prospect of Scottish Championship matches until October, it still has to be said that Dundee FC have – yet again – let down their fans and the local businesses which serve them by failing to practise good housekeeping.

Football finances have been hit hard by Covid-19, albeit with many clubs offsetting losses by utilising the government’s furlough scheme. However, I believe those in charge at Dens Park have failed to behave responsibly and with any business acumen.

When justifying hefty prices for admission, stadium snacks and souvenirs, football clubs are quick to remind fans they are a business. Yet, they seem to abandon basic business practices in running their own operations.

Dundee, before lockdown, were lucky to get 3,000 paying customers a fortnight.

This is similar to running a supermarket on a corner shop budget. However, the big difference is whilst the supermarket and corner shop both ensure their payroll is a manageable percentage of their turnover, Dundee splash the cash as if there’s no tomorrow.

The overwhelming majority of players accepting a 30% wage reduction is a step in the right direction, but it doesn’t help that Dundee have a chief executive, a manager and a director of football who between them take almost £400,000 out of the club a year.

Cuts have to be made but instead of starting at the top where the biggest savings are to be had, the club axe the main hope for the future – their youth academy.

It makes no sense. Whilst senior managers haemorrhage the little money the club has, the same individuals sever the very lifeblood of the club – the young stars of tomorrow.

Dundee have already plunged twice into the dangerous waters of administration.

Should they fail to get shipshape soon, they might find this time they sink without trace.

There is a chance to avoid this but those who run Dundee must behave like sensible, responsible business leaders.

Stop paying yourselves salaries disproportionate to turnover, and stop taking for granted the support of the fans and local businesses.

Most importantly, nurture and safeguard the young players. They are the future and, goodness knows, that is something which certainly can’t be taken for granted.

Jamie Buchan. Grove Road, Dundee.