| The supporters’ trust, who helped save the Dark Blues from administration two summers ago, will launch their drive to acquire a 26% shareholding with an open-air rally at Dens Park.
On the platform tomorrow will be club chairman Bob Brannan, trust chairman George Knight and, significantly, Mileson.
And the man whose team knocked Dundee out of this season’s Scottish Cup has already given his vocal support and is expected to come bearing gifts.
He likes to eat fish and chips on the way to games, sit with the rank and file punters and, famously, turned up for the Scottish Cup Final last month wearing a £3 pair of jeans he bought from ASDA.
The Englishman is, however, a multi-millionaire and, as well as funding Gretna’s remarkable rise, has been known to splash his cash for the good of the game.
He has previously donated money to Dee 4 Life’s city rivals ArabTRUST and it comes as no great surprise he is considering kick-starting this campaign with a cash boost.
Even so, the real stars, if the campaign to raise the minimum target of £150,000 by the end of July is to succeed, will be the fans themselves.
Although they have already stumped up the best part of £200,000 through Dee 4 Life and other groups since the club almost went bust in November 2003, the trust are asking them for almost as much again.
If they get it, they will take up a 26% shareholding and have an agreement with owner Peter Marr that he would then reduce his stake to one per cent less if all the shares he’s made available are taken up.
The significance of the 26% figure is that it prevents any one person or group having total control of Dundee, even if they were to get their hands on all the remaining stock.
In advance of the rally, the Dundee board were meeting at Dens today when other matters, including a season ticket package for next term, were also on the agenda.
Tomorrow’s event starts at 12.30 pm and, with a hot sunny day forecast, plans are for it to be held in the enclosure in front of the main stand. Those attending should head for the main entrance.
DUNDEE UNITED have reminded existing season ticket holders that same-seat renewals can be made using the internet.
The ticket office at Tannadice has grown increasingly busy with each passing day this week, as Sunday’s “Early Bird” offer deadline looms and the late rush is expected to continue during the weekend. To meet demand, the club shop will be open between 9 am-5 pm tomorrow and from noon-5 pm on Sunday. |
