With pressure from supporter groups on the rise again, and talk of season ticket boycotts next season, Stephen Thompson has taken the decision to announce his imminent departure as Dundee United chairman.
Rightly or wrongly, there will be plenty of fans who will only be happy when Thompson is no longer owner, but how long that will take remains to be seen.
No replacement as chairman has been announced but the favourite for the post will be Edinburgh-based banker, Mike Martin.
Nothing official has been confirmed but Martin is understood to have bought the shares of Thompson’s sister, Justine Mitchell, a few months ago.
Between the two men – who are close associates – they own more than 80 per cent of the club. Thompson’s share of over 50% is a majority one.
Many fans have never forgiven him for the sale of key players in the Jackie McNamara era at United, even though subsequent managers have been backed in the transfer market.
The team’s slump in form, and the growing prospect of failing to be promoted, has brought supporter anger back on top of Thompson.
Current boss Csaba Laszlo has a task that he described this week as the hardest of his career to get the Tangerines into the Premiership, which will solve many of the club’s problems after two years in the Championship.
And the United statement claims that taking distractions away from footballing matters is the prime motivation behind yesterday’s announcement.
The statement reads: “Stephen Thompson is stepping down as chairman of Dundee United, the club have announced.
“Mr Thompson, who will relinquish his post at the end of the current season, has been chairman for almost 10 years after taking over from his father Eddie Thompson who sadly passed away in October 2008.
“It was decided to make the announcement now to allow time for the board to make the decision on the way forward for Dundee United as well as ensure no distraction to the club’s battle to return to the Ladbrokes Premiership this season.”
Also in the statement, Thompson said, “It has been a real honour to serve Dundee United. I have always tried to achieve the best for the club and there have been many, many happy occasions of which I am very proud.
“The Scottish Cup win in 2010 was a high point in my and many other United fans life.
“Relegation was a profound disappointment that will never leave me but the club is in the fortunate position of having a very strong board of directors and a financial robustness that is assisted by a number of benefactors who have been very supportive through recent years.
“I also believe it is important to acknowledge our staff who continue to work tirelessly and, most importantly, our incredibly loyal fan base who remain crucial in our aims of returning to the top league.
“The most important factor right now is that Dundee United focus on winning games and securing a place back in the Premiership – without distraction about my position.”
