A week ago, Dundee went into administration to rescue the club from its debts of £20 million and losses of £100,000 a week. Fifteen players and ten other staff were sacked in a desperate move to curb spending.

The DSA has finalised fund-raising initiatives prior to meeting the club's administrators tonight. The meeting will establish targets and objectives before the official launch of the “Dee 4 Life” fighting fund later this week.

Chairman George Knight said today the DSA held a gathering of members and non-members, who had contacted them to offer their services. A “Dee 4 Life” fund-raising committee was formed and the two initiatives will go ahead at the CIS Cup tie against Hearts on Wednesday.

Mr Knight went on, “The DSA can assure fans all funds collected in the forthcoming months will be used responsibly and upon advice from the club’s administrators.”

Mr Knight said the DSA has now met, separately, directors Peter Marr and Giovanni di Stefano, and discussed the club's move into administration, possible refinancing options, and the way forward.

“It is regrettable the DSA and Mr di Stefano were unable to meet earlier, as we would not necessarily have been supportive of a move into administration, had certain facts, including a refinancing proposal which was rejected, been known,” the statement continued.

“Nevertheless, we are now in administration and believe all parties must work together to solve the club’s immediate and longer-term problems. We would like to remind all fans that no stone should be left unturned in seeking a solution.”

Mr Knight said apportioning blame can wait as all avenues to secure the survival of Dundee had to be pursued. He believed Mr di Stefano remained a serious potential investor.

“We would like the chance to meet both Mr Marr and Mr di Stefano together, along with Tom Burton, the administrator whom we will meet tonight, to work together for the good of the club,” the statement went on.

“Meantime, we would ask the Bank of Scotland and other creditors to be reasonable in their demands, taking into account the potential goodwill they would sacrifice not only from Dundee fans, but the wider community should the club not come through this period of administration.

“The DSA would urge all fans who have an interest in Dundee FC to get along to Dens Park on both Wednesday and Saturday (the league match against Kilmarnock) and demonstrate we do indeed have something to fight for. Let’s ensure we have a full house for the cup-tie and support the team on to a lucrative semi-final spot.”