The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Dees boss calls for backing from fans
DUNDEE BOSS Barry Smith has written an open letter to the club’s fans urging them to provide the financial backing he needs to mount an SPL promotion push by snapping up season tickets.
The Dark Blues have also announced a special deal whereby if the club achieves promotion to the top tier of Scottish football this season, anyone purchasing an earlybird package now will be able to buy an SPL season ticket at last year’s early-bird price.
Smith said in a statement: “The close season is by far the most crucial time of the year for a football manager. It is where you draw up your plans that you hope ultimately will bring you success over the next 12 months.
“We are in a unique position right now in that DFC is a club owned by fans, and run by fans.
“Subsequently, you can have a direct contribution to what you see on the field of play by buying season ticket packages and opting in to the Dee Promotions lottery.
“My coaching staff and I take nothing for granted; we know how much time, money, and effort our supporters have invested into the club already during recent times.
“Therefore I was delighted to see the club offering some extra incentives along with season tickets, giving you something of real value back for your support.
“People not just in Division One, but also from SPL clubs often comment about the fantastic support and loyalty of the Dens Park faithful, and I make sure players are aware of that every time they pull on the Dark Blue jersey.
“The support has helped us in both the retention and recruitment of players over the past while.
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“WE ALL have the same goal, and if we all work together and all do what we can, we will stand the best possible chance of our objectives being achieved,” said Smith.
Meanwhile, Dundee CEO Scot Gardiner is working frantically behind the scenes to firm up Smith’s squad for next season.
The Dark Blues have already re-signed the majority of their out-ofcontract players as well as highly-rated striker John Baird and Gardiner is hopeful more old and new faces will put pen to paper by the end of this week.
He said last night: “I have been travelling back up on the train from London today and my phone has never stopped ringing with calls back and forth between myself, agents and Barry.
“We are working hard to get the right people in place as soon as we can.
“We are in negotiations with Gary Irvine amongst others and hope to have two or three signed by the end of the week.”
Dundee are set to beat Hamilton Accies in the race to sign Clyde defender Declan Gallagher.