Dundee fans to vote on future

Dundee fans last week launched their vision of a Community Football Club, following a recent period of consultation, but they will now be asked to vote on just how important community ownership is to them in the long term.

Following the recently announced injection of capital from the family of the late Bill Gordon, the fans’ collective stake in their club, through the Dundee FC Supporters’ Society, stands at 52.5%. Additional external funding could see that majority shareholding threatened, depending on the amount of money tabled and the price shares are offered at, so the Society’s members will be given the chance to exercise their right as owners of their club to determine their own destiny.

Whilst additional funding would of course be welcome, the Society is legally and morally answerable to its members and the decision whether to potentially dilute its shareholding must be made by the fans. A letter posted to members this week will apprise them of the facts ahead of a members’ meeting at Dens Park before the first home league game of the season this Saturday 13th August and a subsequent postal vote.

Fans will be asked to consider the recently published community manifesto, “A Vision of Dundee FC as a Community Football Club”, along with the principle of community ownership itself, and can pick up a copy of the document from the main office or shop at Dens Park, from volunteers at Saturday's game, or download it from the Society’s website. Society chairman Scott Glenday said implementing the manifesto pledges did not hinge on retaining a majority shareholding and fans should vote in whatever way they felt was best for the club.

“We have said repeatedly that financial sustainability is the most important consideration to how Dundee FC will be run in future, and we will spend only what we can generate ourselves. We have also said that it is not in the best interests of Dundee FC to be dependent on a single benefactor and that remains the case. What we are asking fans to decide on is the circumstances in which we can accept external funding in order to realise our ambitions on and off the park.

“As it was the supporters who saved the club they deserve nothing less than transparency and the chance to decide on the future direction and make up of their club. Obviously, in order to grow and prosper as a club, continued external funding would be of great benefit but it is for the fans to decide on how we will go forward. If potential investors want to purchase shares, the Society shareholding could drop below 50%. Whether this is the correct way to proceed is a decision the supporters must make collectively and it is therefore imperative we seek their views.

“Since a 26% shareholding was not enough to prevent a second period of administration, some will not favour any scenario where the fans no longer own a majority of the issued shares. Others may believe that, with a new community-led board of directors who have learned the lessons of the past, being a significant shareholder is sufficient. Given the choice, the Society would prefer to maintain a majority shareholding whilst attracting additional funding, and one way to do this would be to price the unissued shares at a level which would allow the fans to retain control. This is not an unreasonable suggestion as the club is worth a lot more than it was a few months ago.

“This exercise will allow fans to express their views, help make a decision on ownership and influence other such related matters. Regardless of how people vote, we remain committed to delivering the principles outlined in our manifesto, in particular strengthening the links between the football club and the wider community for the benefit of both. We asked fans what being a community club meant to them, and this is what they told us. The Society, the Club and other groups such as the Dark Blue Business Trust are working harder and more closely than ever for the benefit of the club. We are a community club now and that will not change but in order to maximise the potential and realise our dreams we really need more willing volunteers to come forward to help turn that into a reality.”

“High on our list of values at the Supporters’ Society are transparency, accountability and democracy. It’s early days as owners of the club and we’re working at identifying practical ways of delivering on all three fronts. We’re also keen to ensure the Club fully embraces as many of the people who keep it alive as possible. Fundamental to future success will also be developing a strategy of moving together as one. This is no longer about exclusivity; the doors and communication lines are well and truly open and we’re keen to ensure Dundee Football Club is about inclusiveness not exclusivity.

"This is ultimately about choices and personal opinion; thankfully we’ve still got a football club to support and a decision to make. That has been down to the sacrifice, commitment and generosity of many of the people we are now asking the question of and I think that makes perfect sense. I’d like to thank them for their continued support and encourage as many of them as possible to come along to the meeting to initiate debate on the next step of this journey. The final decision on the best way forward will be a collective one and it is up to each and every one of the loyal and passionate Dundee support to act as they see fit."

The meeting, to be held at 10am on Saturday 13th August in the Penman Lounge at Dens Park, will see the Society board make a presentation about its aims as a community club, answer fans’ questions, and to help the members to determine whether they wish to keep the club in community ownership. To ensure that all members have the chance to vote and to discuss the issues in detail, voting will NOT take place at the meeting but by a subsequent postal ballot. Fans can vote by completing the form posted out to them, and returning it by post or at the following home game two weeks later.

“The Society board would encourage those who can attend the meeting to come along and hear the discussion in full, but for those who can’t, we would encourage you to read and debate the issues via the internet and local press before returning your form,” continued Scott.

“This is your Society and your Club, ownership of the football club is yours to lose. Do not hesitate to contact any of us directly at any time to discuss these issues or give feedback. By sticking together we’ve not only saved the club but we’ve given ourselves the opportunity to take the club forward and face the challenges the future will bring with confidence.”