From The Courier 9th April 2018

The Dundee United Supporters’ Foundation have told potential investors in the Tangerines that it will be good to talk.

The DUSF, speaking from a new-found position of strength having surpassed the 500 paying members mark, want to be at the heart of a new era of cooperation between United and their fans.

Tannadice chairman Mike Martin told the club’s annual meeting at the end of last month that discussions with parties interested in buying out majority shareholder Stephen Thompson were at an advanced stage.

There have been rumours of American involvement, with wealthy United supporter Alastair Borthwick, who has already made substantial cash available to the Tangerines, being mentioned as a possible candidate to lead a buyout.

The DUSF, who have seen a surge in membership over recent weeks, are keen to hold talks with any interested individual or consortium with a view to fulfilling their long-term goal of using the funds they have raised from members to help secure a brighter future for troubled United.

A DUSF spokesperson said: “As we go from strength to strength as a Foundation, we want to play a constructive part in United’s future.

“Some people may think United fans have been apathetic as regards the situation at the club but our growing membership tells us that is not the case.

“That means reassuring any interested party that we will be positive, constructive partners and will approach any buyout or investment with an open mind.

“Our door will be open and we will be keen to talk, on behalf of our 500-plus membership, to anyone who wants to take the club forward.”

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A big welcome to Stephen Conway who becomes the 500th member of the DUSF

Here is Stephen (with the tammy) and son Craig, grandson Ciaran and great grandson Jamie.
Stephen has been been an Arab for 56 years and said, “I just think that the idea of a United Foundation could be the saviour of our once mighty club, keep the faith fellow Arabs good times will return. Arab4life whatever league.”
Thanks to Stephen and thanks to every one of the other 499 for your great support.

DUSF Joint statement along with Fans United and The Fed DUSC 

Yesterday we sent a letter to Dundee United FC Chairman Stephen Thompson and Director Mike Martin signed by representatives of Dundee United Supporters Foundation, The Federation of Dundee United Supporters’ Clubs and Fans United.

The letter asks a number of questions around the financial situation at the club including the possibility of potential investors and the sale of Gussie Park. We have also asked questions on the operational arrangements at the club and the impact of another season in the Championship on these arrangements.

DUSF Steering group 

Dundee United Supporters’ Foundation Director Graham McLelland talks to Radio Tay about the worrying recent news where Dundee United Chairman Stephen Thompson has sold The GA Arena at Gussie Park to fellow Director Mike Martin for a reported £1 million. Listen to the audio clip from Radio Tay below.

Following a survey of our members the Dundee United Supporters’ Foundation has voted overwhelmingly (more than 80%) not to support the current board of Dundee United Football Club by means of any monetary donation or loans.

There is real concern amongst the DUSF members that any money donated to the club will disappear into the big black financial hole that currently exists. Therefore monies raised and held by the Foundation will not be allocated to the current Board and may be used when the crisis, which appears inevitable, hits the football club.

Today’s news regarding the potential sale of the club’s GA Arena academy facility, only adds to the financial uncertainty at the club. The sale of an asset, that’s development was partly funded by supporters’ donations, raises a number of questions we will look to formulate with the other fans’ groups in the coming days

A survey asking a few questions on the progress of the DUSF so far has been emailed to all members. So please take a few minutes to have your say. The survey will remain open until midnight on Wednesday 14th February.

The Federation of Dundee United Supporters Clubs, Fans United & Dundee United Supporters’ Foundation are pleased with the announcement by Dundee United Football Club that Mr Stephen Thompson is stepping down as Chairman .
We think this a sensible measure given the continued difficulties of the Club on and off the park.
We would also urge Mr Thompson to relinquish his majority shareholding of the Club as soon as possible and let Dundee United move forward and ‘ heal ‘ as a Club after a traumatic few years.

Our historic first major trophy win came on December 12th 1979 with a 3-0 drubbing of Aberdeen in the League Cup Final Replay – Dundee United 3 (Pettigrew 2, Sturrock) Aberdeen 0

UNITED: McAlpine, Stark, Kopel, Fleming, Hegarty, Narey, Bannon, Sturrock, Pettigrew, Holt, Kirkwood Subs: Philip, Payne
Dens Park, Dundee, Referee Brian McGinlay (Balfron) Attendance 28,933

After a dull 0-0 draw on the Saturday the SFA for once saw sense and agreed to stage the replay at Dens Park. Under the floodlights this became a momentous night in our history as an inspired United trounced their New Firm rivals. 70 years after being founded as Dundee Hibernian, Dundee United,  under manager Jim McLean had won their first major trophy .

We asked the two goal hero that day and Honorary Member of the DUSF Willie Pettigrew of his memories of that famous night 38 years ago……….

“The first game was one of the worst finals ever. I remember Jim McLean laid into me at full time for not tracking back after Stuart Kennedy, probably one of the first overlapping full backs. I argued with Jim “Do you want me to be an attacker or a defender!” I fell out with him which was not a wise thing to do, but thankfully he picked me for the replay. That game was the highlight of my career, my first winners medal. The reason I joined United was the quality of players they had and the team ethic, and what a team it was. Sturrock, Narey, Hegarty, Bannon, Payne, Kopel, Holt, Hamish, fantastic players, you could go through the whole team, all great characters. Even the less well known players played an important part. George Fleming for example did an important job and he was a great talker and motivator on the park. When Eamonn Bannon and I joined it seemed to complete the jigsaw It was a privilege to play with them all.

It was a terrible wet night at Dens and I remember my first goal. I actually missed the ball with my left foot but it stuck in the mud, landed at my right and I put it away. My second, a header, came from a great cross from Paul Sturrock and I stuck it past Bobby Clark. Paul was a great provider for me! Eamonn Bannon played a major role in that goal with a typical mazy run across the park. It was a great victory as Aberdeen were firing on all cylinders at that time. I remember Jim McLean talking to Directors Bill Littlejohn and Johnston Grant in the Boardroom after the match with them saying it was the best day of their lives as they never thought United would win a major trophy.
I didn’t celebrate too much after the game as my wife Audrey was pregnant with my son Craig and I wanted to get back to her, but I made up for it the following year when we retained the trophy and I have a picture of Craig in the League Cup! I still think of that when I see players drinking out the cup after they’ve won it!

The United fans were always great with me and I’m delighted to be involved with the Foundation and will do what I can to help. At Motherwell it was a slow start and it took a while to get going but it is thriving now, and I am sure the United Foundation will be the same. It is all about helping the club and I am sure it will get there.”

Many thanks to Willie for taking the time to speak to us, a true gent and club legend.

Enjoy the goals at a muddy Dens Park.
Then click here to join the  DUSF

Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells! Jingle all the way! Oh what fun it is to gub the Dees on New Years Day (6-2)!!

Looking for the perfect Xmas gift for the Arab in your life? Look no further. How about a membership to the United Supporters’ Foundation starting from as little as a tenner a month or £2:50 for Juniors? DUSF the gift that keeps on giving!