| As expected, Alex Rae and Davie Farrell were confirmed as the new player/manager and assistant, and it was revealed experienced youth supremo Gordon Wallace will be handed a bigger role at first-team level.
And there was an immediate cash boost for the Dark Blues when chief executive Dave MacKinnon announced a shirt deal with sports memorabilia firm Signatures 4 U that should rake in well over £100,000 in the next two years.
When he took up his new post just a week ago, Dave admitted the “first boxes to be ticked” were finding a new team boss and securing sponsorship, and he is delighted both tasks have been completed so quickly.
“Alex Rae and Davie Farrell will be in charge and, particularly on match days, Gordon Wallace will be heavily involved. We are very pleased with the team that’s been put together,” he said.
By next week, a former club captain should also be joining the backroom staff, though details of that appointment have still to be finalised and today’s focus was on confirmed arrivals.
“I’m very excited about Alex coming here. I have been very impressed by his thoughts and ideas and, while his main role will, obviously, be as manager, you’ll see him be a big figure on the park as well,” added Dave.
“At 36, he is still one of the fittest guys I know and is definitely capable of playing in the SPL.
“He is also a winner, a leader on the park and, along with the likes of big Bobby Mann, he will be a big influence over the very good young players who are here.
“I am also pleased we’ve got Davie Farrell, because, since he hung up his boots, he has become one of the emerging coaches in the Scottish game — that’s why Gretna snapped him up for their youths. Gordon Wallace adds a wealth of experience and he is the mentor we wanted for our new team.”
Rae’s plans to build a team capable of getting back to the top flight will be aided by the cash brought in from the new sponsors, who deal worldwide, but also have strong Dens connections.
“The deal with Signatures 4 U is quite exceptional — it’s for a year with the option of another year and we are talking SPL figures with them,” explained Dave.
“They are a vibrant young firm, just the kind of people we want to be associated with and they know about Dundee. Their directors are Ben Stevens and Craig Stewart, who is from Carnoustie originally, and his dad is still a season ticket holder here.” |
