American consortium claimed to be close to a takeover of Dundee United
Dundee United have taken a significant step towards coming under new ownership – with an American consortium closing in on a takeover.
The Tannadice club held their agm yesterday as emotions run high over the future of the troubled Championship club as it gets set to embrace a new era. And it’s understood new chairman Mike Martin, who replaced Stephen Thompson earlier this month, assured those present that a deal involving serious investment was at an advanced stage and, subject to due diligence checks, would be completed within the coming weeks.
For the first time in 15 years, there were no members of the ruling Thompson family in attendance at the agm.
Former chairman Thompson, who remains United’s majority shareholder, stood down to allow Martin to succeed him recently and is now preparing to be bought out by the new owners from the US.
Meanwhile, Paul Sturrock admits he feels the pain of Dundee United’s “exasperated” supporters – but has pledged to try everything to ease their suffering.
The Tannadice side have turned to the club legend in a bid to salvage their season which could take another turn for the worse today should they lose away to Morton and fall out of the promotion playoff places.
Sturrock is back at the club where he scored 171 goals in 574 appearances during an illustrious career before going on to become the Tangerines manager from 1998-2000.
The 61-year-old former St Johnstone, Plymouth Argyle, Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Yeovil Town boss is now part of Csaba Laszlo’s backroom team with an emphasis on luring fresh talent to the club. He was also back on the training field this week ahead of this afternoon’s crucial visit to Cappielow.
Sturrock said: “We’re fourth in the Championship after being potentially a top-four team in the Premiership for God knows how long, so I can appreciate [what the fans are going through].
“People are not happy. Everybody at the football club appreciates that. No manager or chairman goes out not to win a football game or not to make sure his football club is going in the right direction.
“I do feel that recruitment has been one of the key reasons that things have worked out not how we’d like it. A manager turns up with a long injury list, poor recruitment before him and all of a sudden has to win football games at the same time as revamping his squad. Then in comes another one, his ideas, change everything, injuries, revamp the squad.
“Look at Hibs. Everybody is saying, oh Dundee United, disgrace, but Hibs took three years to get out of this league and struggled in the third year as well. It’s not an easy league.
“I think we are a win away from being back on the rails. It can be a dirty win as far as I’m concerned, we can be absolutely hopeless, as long as we win.”