Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
George Cran
Out of crisis can come opportunity – chance for Dee togetherness
“TOGETHERNESS” was the word used by Dark Blues boss James McPake the other week – now is the time to make that hope a reality for Dundee FC.
The good news is the basis is already there for everyone with a vested interest – they all want the club to succeed.
Myself included – but my job is only to report what is happening and what people say.
What really matters is getting everybody associated with Dundee pulling in the same direction.
Anyone who’s been part of or knows about discussions and goings-on between the various fan groups and the club will know there have been some personality clashes that have got in the way of the groups working together.
That really annoys me. Personalities and liking people or not shouldn’t come into it – the only thing that really matters is working together to help Dundee succeed as a football club.
In manager James McPake, the Dark Blues have someone who understands exactly what the club’s fans want and will do what he can to provide it.
That’s invaluable for supporters because people going to watch their team is what makes football what it is.
Managers aren’t always concerned with what punters in the stands think but it helps the club as a whole if there is a connection.
I remember Neil McCann holding a Q&A for fans when he was in charge. I thought that was really good and a great way for supporters to feel like they are in touch with the team and being listened to.
Managing director John Nelms is a different kind of guy. I don’t expect him to change and become more forthcoming in that way any time soon, though I think it would help.
I’m, of course, referring to comments from former Dens chief executive Harry MacLean about a lack of communication from the top and the coronavirus shutdown being a perfect time to heal old wounds and get everyone talking again.
I agree with that. We’re waiting on word from the Dundee FC Supporters’ Society on possibly giving the club financial help.
Hopefully, that might herald a few bridges being built between the relationship of DFCSS and the club which hasn’t been great up to now.
What I want to see is the new
1893 Foundation, created by fan Ross Day, be a vehicle for supporters to really connect with the club.
It might just be the way to try to forget old arguments and bring people and groups together to fight for Dundee at a time when that’s very much needed. I certainly hope so.