DUFC News

Hello everyone.

I'm going to start by saying that this is also going to include DFC news - I don't often speak about the wee team across the road, but they are going to be included because it relates to us.

So...let's start with the football before getting to the thing that matters most to football fans - finances.

United's hastily re-arranged fixture against QOTS, called off last midweek and arranged for tomorrow night, is off due to a waterlogged pitch.

"Why did the organise the game so hastily Ivan?" I hear you ask. Well that's a good question and thanks for asking. I would suspect that it has something to do with the fact that United have not had a home game for over a month now - and we're away to Brechin this weekend. Cash flow problems? You betcha.

So yes, we're on to finances. It's well known that we're fecked, with Gussie being sold last week for a cool million to our new chairman and our parachute payments soon to be gone. But who else is fecked? Well of course, our double administration friends across the road, Dundee FC.

The Dees posted their latest losses and they make for sober reading, around £350k. The Dees have moved on a couple of players, Jack Hendry being one of them, however the rumour is that Wigan had a 40% sell on fee and most of that cash is gobbled up. Another loss is on the cards.

As we all know, the Dees are owned by American business men who have acquired land near Camperdown for a prospective new stadium. They have already suggested they would like to share this stadium with United. I feel this may be their end game - get the council and United to contribute towards their new stadium then sell up. Who knows.

The plight of both city clubs has inevitably raised the idea of merger. While I can't see it happening - the support will not transfer to the new club - it is gaining momentum.

Ultimately it's not a good time for the two city clubs. I'm not an expert on Dundee and don't pay them much attention so I have no idea if they'll ride out their latest financial crisis. As for United....I'm similarly in the dark and have no idea how we can cope with another year out of the top division (with no sellable assets).

Time will tell, but I'm concerned for both of us.