So whats made him change his mind?
Well its entirely possible that the very thing which stops him from handing the club over to the fans is the fans themselves!!
Dee4Life Trust has done an amazing job in its short existence. Mobilising support in a fashion never before seen in Scottish football, displaying a passion and enthusiasm unmatched by any other Supporters Trust.
Make no mistake, Dee4Life saved Dundee Football Club.
Dee4Life saved Dundee Football Club.
Thats a very strong statement isn't it? The simple fact is its true. Dee4Life made it clear to the bank, to Mr Marr, to other supporters and to the world that they would not let the club die.
So how does this help Mr Marr retain the status quo? Well lets have a look.
Dee4Life has raised a considerable sum of money over the piece. Our best estimate is around £190,000. That money has been used to support the club at critical times and more recently in exchange for shares in the club.
Dee4Life has had to make some tough decisions and none tougher than what to do with the money raised by the fans. They were caught in a Catch 22 situation where they had to choose between holding onto the money for a potential future Doomsday scenario or giving it to the club for immediate survival, after all thats why many people put money in buckets.
In pure financial terms this money was insignificant to the debt reduction. It was in fact emotional money, which gave Dee4Life the credibility it required with both Mr Marr and HBOS. It was a statement that the fans had contributed and that Mr Marr could ignore them no longer.
It gained Dee4Life shares in the club and a seat on the board. For those who don't know, Mr George Knight is the fans' representative on the board of Dundee Football Club. He is also Chairperson of Dee4Life Trust.
This was perhaps the smartest decision Peter Marr could have made. It put the Trust exactly where he could see them. It also meant that instead of questioning board decisions in public the Trust representative was sworn to secrecy and could not disclose board decisions or discussions.
Throughout the process of administration the one thing Peter Marr has done well is play on the emotional aspect of the fans being the ones who would either save or kill the club. We were told on many occasions that it was OUR club and up to US to save it. WE had to buy season tickets, WE had to support all initiatives.
Now he says its HIS club and he has no intention of letting the fans own it.
We ask where was Mr Marr during the stadium clean up operations? Where was Mr Marr when events were being held to raise money at the Deja Vu? Where was Mr Marr when the youth team bus needed petrol?
The fans cannot let Mr Marr away with this behaviour. By the fans we do not meant the Trust committee. There are over 3000 Trust members. many of these are either silent or critical of some of the decisions made. Very few do anything about it.
Its YOUR Dee4Life Trust. The committee only does either what the members want or in the absence of any other information what it thinks the members want. They are not fortune tellers. If you are not happy with the direction then let them know. There are loads of ways to get in touch and to take part. Start by visiting the Trust website at www.dee4life.org . Start by asking for updates. Start by taking an interest that extends beyond criticising them over a pint.
Only by using your Trust and by giving it your full support will it be fully ready to takeover the club when Mr Marr finally walks away. After all its what we want isn't it? The fans to run the club without worrying about the intentions of the people in charge.
This needs to be made clear to Peter Marr. We need to be ready for the day when he can see no other option himself.
The people of Dee4Life, all 3000 plus, are the only credible option for the future of Dundee Football Club. There is no other way forward.
Isn't that right Mr Marr?