Groundshare off

Nelms confirms Dee will remain at Dens until new stadium is completed

Dundee will continue to play their home games at Dens Park until their new stadium is completed at Camperdown Park. Dens Park managing director John Nelms revealed yesterday plans over the move to a fresh new complex had changed.

Back in 2021, Courier Sport revealed the club’s plan at that time to buy back Dens Park and then sell it to help finance the building of their new home.

In between leaving their home since 1899 and the new ground being ready, the idea of a groundshare at somewhere like St Johnstone had been considered.

However, almost two years on Nelms revealed the “economic environment” had changed and, right now, there will be no need to groundshare.

That’s after club owner Tim Keyes and Nelms, through the company Dark Blue Property Holdings, bought Dens Park from local businessman John Bennett.

It’s a “significant step” in their plans to move to Camperdown Park.

Nelms said: “It’s a good day for Dundee Football Club.

“Dark Blue Property Holdings, Tim and I, purchased the stadium – it’s the next step in a whole series of steps we have to take in order to have our vision of a new stadium for Dundee Football Club and the city in place.

“Now having the stadium and the lease that comes with that stadium (Dens Park) we are able to manoeuvre much easier.”

The club aim to have their planning permission application submitted by the end of this calendar year.

But what does the purchase of Dens mean for the club and the club’s home for the past 124 years?

“Right now it’s about maintaining the stadium (Dens Park) until the other stadium is built,” added Nelms. “I’m not sure it’s a good financial plan to own two stadiums. But that’s where we are at, at the moment.

“We will continue to play at Dens and continue to keep it up and running, the best we can.” So, no redevelopment?

“At this moment in time, no,” Nelms said.

“Before we said we might, repeat might, have to play at a different facility. The economic environment at that time posed that we might have to sell Dens in order to have the funding to build the new stadium. At this point in time, that’s not the case.

“The idea is we would kick the last ball at Dens, the very next kick would be at the new stadium.

“But we’ve been working at this since 2016 and things have changed multiple times.

“We will continue to take the steps we need to to make the football club better and better.”

Dens Park is in the hands of Dundee FC owners Tim Keyes and John Nelms. The pair’s purchase of the club’s historic home through their Dark Blue Property Holdings company marks the end of former Dundee United director John Bennett’s 14 years as owner.

The prospect of a club buyback was mooted regularly during Bennett’s custodianship.

With a deal finally struck and hailed by Dundee’s owners as a “significant step” in their new stadium project, Courier Sport looks back at the modern history of Dens and its ownership.

2009

With Dundee in the midst of financial crisis, Bennett steps in with a sixfigure cash injection in return for ownership of Dens Park.

The cash clears lingering debts accrued off the back of the club’s 2003 administration and, with budgets severely stretched, boosts cash flow.

News breaks in May of Bennett’s purchase of Dundee’s ground alongside talks over a potential club buyout by the city businessman, which come to nothing.

Instead, the Dark Blues welcome Calum Melville on to the board after the now notorious Aberdonian businessman answers a newspaper advert from chairman Bob Brannan inviting investment into the club.

In May, Melville is reported to be on the verge of buying Dens Park from Bennett for £500,000, but no deal is struck.

2010

Dundee plunge into administration for the second time over an unpaid tax bill of almost £400,000.

As an asset belonging to Bennett (through his Sandeman Properties company), the Dark Blues’ stadium remains shielded from administrator Bryan Jackson.

2011

Dundee exit administration on May 12 2011 after creditors – including Bennett – accept Jackson’s proposed CVA (company voluntary arrangement) without appeal.

As the club finds its post-administration feet under fan ownership, Bennett suspends rent on the stadium on a number of occasions.

2013

In August, after months of speculation, Dundee fans vote at a special general meeting to accept investment in the club worth around £700,000 from Tim Keyes and John Nelms’ Football Partners Scotland (FPS) company.

Upon taking a controlling interest, they sign a new 20-year lease with Bennett for use of Dens Park, which contains an initial rent-free period.

However, Bennett declares his readiness to sell the stadium to Dundee’s new owners.

2015

Dundee chairman Bill Colvin reveals talks are under way to bring Dens back into club ownership.

Bennett again declares his willingness to do business with the Dark Blues, saying: “I told Dundee at the time I bought the ground that I would sell it back if it was going into the hands of Dundee fans and I’ll stand by that.”

No deal is agreed.

2016

Dee owners Keyes and Nelms reveal they are considering relocating the club to a new stadium just off the city’s Kingsway.

Through their Dark Blue Property Holdings company, they pay £1.2 million for a 29-acre plot of land adjacent to Camperdown Park.

The move brings to the fore the requirement for a resolution to the Dens Park ownership situation, with Bennett remaining a willing negotiator.

2021

Dundee again enter into talks over buying Dens Park.

Details emerge that the sale of the club’s historic home is part of Keyes’ and Nelms’ plan to fund the new stadium project.

Should an agreement be reached – and should the “New Campy” proposal go ahead – the prospect is floated of the Dee ground sharing with rivals St Johnstone, Arbroath or even Dundee United during construction.

2022

In March, Nelms sets an ambitious 2024 target date for completion of the new stadium.

Two months later, the club submits fresh plans to Dundee City Council for a 15,000 seater arena at the Camperdown site.

Nelms declares a deal for the purchase of Dens Park from Bennett is in place and confirms the owners’ intention to sell the land to part fund the new development.

However, he insists no such move will be made until construction is under way, saying: “We will never be without a home.”

2023

Bennett’s 14 years as owner of Dens Park are brought to a close when Dark Blue Property Holdings completes the purchase of Dens Park.

John Bennett.