| If the Dark Blues are playing First Division football next month, they will need fans to snap up tickets in big numbers to help ease the financial burden of dropping out of the top flight.
While accepting that, however, the club have labelled the 2005/06 package as a bid to woo more youngsters and families back to Dens.
And they say that, regardless of the outcome of the battle to get back in the SPL, they want to reward fans for their loyalty and support.
The likelihood of lower-league football has been reflected by price cuts for existing season ticket holders of an average of £50 and children’s prices by up to £45. New purchasers will pay slightly more for their briefs.
The most important news for fans is that the board has pledged that every penny of revenue raised from ticket sales will go directly to pay the wages of the team on the park.
“Relegation has been a painful experience for all involved, but our supporters have been magnificent in rallying behind the club and will be the most important element in our fight to get back into the SPL,” said chairman Bob Brannan.
“We believe the season ticket package launched today is extremely competitive and good value, and we hope it will encourage more families and young people to return to Dens.”
He was eager to make it clear that the decision to go ahead with season ticket sales was not an indication the fight to be in the SPL has been lost.
“It is very important to stress that the launch of this package today does not signal anything other than a desire to let our supporters know the cost of watching Dundee next season — whether we are in the SPL or the Bell’s First Division.
“Our efforts to ensure the Scottish football authorities reach a just conclusion in the Hassan Kachloul affair will continue, and we are presently awaiting a response from the Scottish Football Association.”
Fans’ group Dee 4 Life have backed the package and called on fellow-supporters to get out and buy them.
“The club have been very open about the absolutely vital role that fans will play in next season’s campaign and this package recognises the need to make football affordable — particularly among the younger generations,” said George Knight of the trust.
On the playing side, the first-team squad reported back for the start of pre-season training today, though, with most of the day being taken up by physical testing, the hard work won’t start until tomorrow.
Meeting their new team-mates for the first time were the trio of summer signings Gavin Swankie, Adrian Madaschi and Andy Ferguson.
Boss Jim Duffy was also involved in what he described as the “ongoing process’” of discussing wage cuts with the players.
“It’s just something that is continuing and I would like it done by the end of the week, but it is not a situation where we are going to hold a gun to anyone’s head or give them noon deadlines or anything like that,” said Jim. “There will come a time, though, when the players have to know exactly where we stand.”
Owner Peter Marr has said much of the money lost via the necessary cuts will be recouped by his players through bonuses, if they win promotion at the first time of asking. |
