Dundee season ticket hike is beyond belief

IN the ludicrous business of Dundee trying to put on a game on their atrocious pitch, much of the focus has centred on the discomfort caused to the opponents.

Motherwell chief executive Brian Caldwell, quite rightly, made it clear that the prospect of playing a behind-closeddoors game in Airdrie on a Monday afternoon — had yesterday’s visit to Dens bit the dust — didn’t really hold much appeal for an organisation in the business of trying to run a spectator sport.

Rangers manager Philippe Clement was also quizzed the other day about the very real prospect of Wednesday’s rescheduled visit to Muckheap Central having to be rescheduled again with the small business of a league title on the line.

In the midst of all this, though, it is worth sparing a thought for some of those closer to the heart of the problem.

Dundee’s manager Tony Docherty has done well in the club’s first season back in the top flight to have them clear of the relegation zone and in the mix for the top six. Not knowing whether your games are going to take place, or what kind of surface you are going to be dealing with, has been a headache he will barely have needed.

However, it’s the season-ticket holders there that you have to feel sorry for, too. Four times games have been called off there this season. Four times plans have had to be changed, often at the last minute.

And the reward for putting up with that? The news this week that the price of season books for next term is being hiked to a ridiculous extent. Honestly. You couldn’t give managing director

John Nelms and the rest of that lot a red neck with a blowtorch.