The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Dundee to Edinburgh walk commended by Tangerines officials
Dundee United have endorsed diehard Arabs Paul McNicoll and Andy Crichton’s Tynecastle to Tannadice walk to raise money to cover the club’s legal costs.
United have ditched their own crowdfunding plans after Paul and Andy’s campaign to fundraise for the Terrors’ battle against Hearts and Partick Thistle surpassed the £15,000 mark.
United became embroiled in the Jambos’ and the Jags’ dispute with the SPFL after the pair lodged a petition to the CourtofSessioncallingfor last season’s promotions and relegations to be scrapped.
It was an attempt by demoted Hearts, Partick and Stranraer to save their skins after the 2019-20 campaign ended prematurely amid the coronavirus pandemic.
However, it could also mean no step up for the Tangerines, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers.
The case was thrown out of the courts and will now be heard by an SFA arbitration panel with United, initially, calling on fans and rival clubs to help them cover the £150,000 legal fees.
Paul and Andy did just that and will next weekend embark on a 60-mile walk they estimate could take up to 18 hours.
The Tangerines today showed their appreciation for their efforts and the donations of fellow Arabs and football fans.
The club will welcome the pair back to the city with a socially-distanced party at Tannadice and have encouraged fans to back their campaign.
The pair’s campaign has raised more than £15,000 against their initial target of £1,000.
A club statement read: “As well as thanking Paul and Andy for organising this and putting themselves through a gruelling walk of almost 60 miles in one day, the club would like to thank everyone who has contributed so far to their crowdfunding efforts.
“As well as hundreds of Dundee United fans making donations, many fans of other clubs have shown support to this cause, highlighting the impact this case is having on the whole of Scottish football.
“We hope that with the club’s endorsement more people can make contributions.”
United, Raith and Cove have also asked their fellow SPFL clubs for cash pledges to aid their legal fight.
The trio revealed on July 6 they intended to reach out to clubs for assistance and they have now made requests for £5,000 from Premiership clubs, £2,000 from Championship sides, and £1,000 from those in Leagues One and Two.
Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers and they will also be participating in the event with their own fans running similar crowdfunding campaigns, and organising a walk from their stadiums in Kirkcaldy and Aberdeen to Tannadice on the same day.