Name change could be on cards at Dens next season

DENS Park could be set for a historic name change ahead of next season’s kick-off.

Dundee FC, which has played at Dens since 1899, may be set to incorporate the name Kilmac into the stadium title.

Sources have said the name change would be similar to that introduced by former Premier League counterparts Partick Thistle FC, who now play at The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill.

Kilmac, a civil engineering contractor based in Tayside, has offices in both Dundee and Perth.

The company was approached for comment but denied that a deal had been done.

Kilmac previously sponsored the club’s strip for four seasons before being replaced by Hangar Records in the 2014-15 campaign.

The company returned the following season before being substituted for current sponsor McEwan Fraser Legal.

It is understood the deal with Kilmac has not yet been signed.

Any possible change could see sports announcers, ticket briefs and media agencies printing or referring to the name change. Names, including the Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park, are being suggested as a possibility ahead of the new season.

John Castle, 50, a spokesman for Dundee Social Club, said he’d be “gutted” if the stadium name was changed.

He said: “In my opinion, it takes away a part of the club’s heritage.

“This is the first I’ve heard about it. I would never say I’m away to the Kilmac Stadium. I understand it from the club’s perspective financially and I’m sure there will be a 101 other opinions from supporters. I don’t suppose we could argue if the money is reinvested back into the club.”

The latest news comes nearly three years after it was revealed the club could be moving to a site at the Kingsway near Camperdown.

But Craig Harvey, 46, president of the Ferry branch of the Dundee Supporters Club, said: “If there is reasonable sponsorship money coming in I don’t see an issue with it.”

Ian Rae, 64, a committee member at the Ellenbank Bar DSC, added: “If the name Dens Park is still included I wouldn’t be against it. The question is whether it would be a short-term name change or if it would transition to the new stadium.”

Dundee FC declined to comment. Our