A prominent fan group have urged Dundee chief John Nelms to publicly reiterate the pledge that the Dark Blues will not be left without a home after Dens Park is sold.
The Courier revealed last year the club owners, Nelms and chairman Tim Keyes, plan to buy back Dens before selling it on to help finance the build of a new home at Camperdown Park.
And in March Nelms told the Courier Dundee “will never be without a home”, even if groundsharing is required while the new ground is completed.
Dee4Life, who own a stake of around 13% in the club and remain secondary shareholder, have called for that promise to be reiterated in addition to a fan consultation being held over those proposed Camperdown plans.
They feel an “absence of information” is leading to concerns among supporters that the club could be left as footballing nomads if Dens is sold before work begins on the new stadium.
Challenge
The group, who saw Dundee through two administrations, are undergoing something of a transformation after members of the Open Letter group joined a new-look board.
A new website and membership platform has launched ahead of their AGM this weekend and Dee4Life are keen to grow their membership once more.
With greater numbers behind them, the group’s membership secretary Ross Day says Dee4Life can be the platform for Dundee fans to get their voice heard by those in power at the club.
“We’ve got to be willing to challenge the club and ask questions,” Ross, founder of the 1893 Foundation, said.
“That’s what we are doing with the new stadium plans and where fans opinions come in.
“We think it’s important to call for a fans consultation over the move to Camperdown.
‘Impact on the club’
“We know John Nelms has to do what is right for the club and he has to do what is right for Dark Blue Property Holdings – but are they the same thing?
“We’re not saying there is anything untoward going on, we would just like a bit of transparency and more information.
“John Nelms has made firm commitments in the press about a potential groundshare and not leaving Dens Park before the new build has started. We’d like to see him publicly comment that that is still the case.
“There has obviously been a consultation about the building process but we want to hear about what the impact for the club itself will be – will the club own it or rent it?
“If it is rented, what do the club pay?
“Those are the dynamics we have no line of sight on.”
‘Absence of information’
Communication, or lack of it, has been a constant refrain from frustrated supporters over the past few years.
Since relegation last season and the furore over the sacking of James McPake and appointment of Mark McGhee, the club have made efforts to improve that.
And Dee4Life would like to see that continue on the stadium front. They pressed for talks over the stadium plans in October but have not had any response from the club.
“The club might have the answers but right now there is an absence of information,” Ross added.
“We’re hearing more and more fans concerned about the club moving out of Dens before the new stadium work has started.
“You look at Clydebank and Coventry right now to see what can happen to a club.
“If they want fans to buy into the groundshare idea and to make it work, the club needs to be up front about it all.
“It comes down to communication.
“If we have a fans consultation, John Nelms can explain the position of the club, the rationale behind things and the benefits to the club.
“Do that and all the noise goes away.”
‘Immense pride’
As for Dee4Life, membership numbers are growing but there is a push from the organisation to add to the hundreds currently involved.
“Dee4Life should be the source of immense pride to Dundee fans,” Ross said.
Welcome to all our new members! We have seen a steady rise is members since launching the new website and membership portal which is great to see. Hopefully we will see you all on at our AGM on Saturday 19th of November at 11am in the Dundee Social Club
— Dee4Life 🇨🇷 (@Dee_4_Life) November 9, 2022
“It was at the forefront of efforts when fans saved the club twice.
“As an organisation it was able to unite fans and to give them a voice.
“It has taken time to adapt from being majority shareholder to secondary shareholder.
“But we want Dee4Life to be the fans’ voice and to ensure the fans are heard.
“We don’t want to get involved in everyday management of the club but with things like the new stadium the fans should be involved.”
For more information, head to dee4life.com
Dundee FC have been approached for comment.
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