Dundee Spend Equivalent of our Entire Budget on 1 Player

[Jute]

£150,000!!!!

Surely the fraud squad should be heading down to Dens Park, there must be something dodgy going on here

 

New investor has allegedly clear the debt with the bank and bought the ground back as well. Transfer fees so far only total £265,000 so probably not actually spent that much money although amounts we can only dream of.

[glasgow sheep]

New investor has allegedly clear the debt with the bank and bought the ground back as well. Transfer fees so far only total £265,000 so probably not actually spent that much money although amounts we can only dream of.

that is a huge amount

 

you add up all the transfer fees paid by the SPL (excluding the OF) at the end of the transfer window and I'll be surprised if they are much more than that

[manc_don]

that is a huge amount

 

you add up all the transfer fees paid by the SPL (excluding the OF) at the end of the transfer window and I'll be surprised if they are much more than that

 

I'd agree with that. You'd be hard pushed to find anyone outside the OF willing to spend over 250K this summer. Even Hearts aren't surely that stupid.

[wee toon red]

Apparently Dundee had a sell-on clause in the deal when Kevin McDonald went to Burnley which got them £200,000 when Burnley were promoted. Still a hell of a lot of spends for any Scottish club outwith the Sauchiehall St two.

[manc_don]

Apparently Dundee had a sell-on clause in the deal when Kevin McDonald went to Burnley which got them £200,000 when Burnley were promoted. Still a hell of a lot of spends for any Scottish club outwith the Sauchiehall St two.

 

Good bit of business by them then!

[Jute]

Shamless stole this of Dundee Mad. Interview with the chairman that explains what there up to.

 

 

 

Calum Melville Interview June 3rd 2009

 

 

 

H: Good morning Calum thanks for agreeing to answer our questions

 

 

 

CM: No problem but before we begin can I just say that I'm already married and can't take anyone up on their offer!!

 

 

 

H: So you've been on the site then??

 

 

 

CM: Yes I had a look last night to check for ambushes!!

 

 

 

H: So can we start by asking how did you get involved in Dundee FC and why?

 

 

 

CM: Well a lot of it was down to timing. I'm a football fan first and foremost, Scotland fan and Aberdeen fan. I love football. We had just divested a couple of our companies and I was looking for something to get my teeth into. I had no interest in getting involved in Aberdeen mainly because I live here and secondly because I couldn't really take them forward to the extent that the fans there would want. Stewart Milne does a fantastic job there but gets little credit. Also I've never been invited to get involved there. Dundee is a proper football club, an hour from home and the opportunity came up.

 

 

 

H: So it really was as simple as reading the Sunday times and seeing the advert?

 

 

 

CM: Yes basically the timing was perfect for me. I arranged to meet the other board members and took it from there. It had been at the back of my mind to get involved in football and when I met them we all gelled. It's very important that we are all pulling in the same direction. We are all there to benefit the football club.

 

 

 

H: Are there any plans to get other directors on board in a similar fashion?

 

 

 

CM: They'd need to be the right person for the club. Being a director at Dens has it's responsibilities. There is a huge social responsibility to the club, to the area and we are collectively and individually responsible for taking this club forward. Of course we are always looking for additional people who can bring something to the table but the current board gets on well and they would need to buy into that. It is a big step becoming a director at a club like Dundee.

 

 

 

H: Previous directors have stated that Dee4Life owning 26% of the club is a disincentive to getting involved. The "veto" is too much if you like. What's your thoughts on fans owning part of the club?

 

 

 

CM: It's a fantastic thing that there is a fans rep on the board and that the fans have so much involvement. It's their club. George does a 1st class job as a full board member. He works hard like everyone else. It is a great thing that fans have true ownership over the future of the club. It's also a very good model for other clubs in getting fans involved.

 

 

 

H: Tell us, if the opportunity came in some form to get involved with Aberdeen FC what would your thoughts be on that?

 

 

 

CM: As I've said previously I am committed to Dundee Football Club. All other clubs become irrelevant in this situation. I want to help take Dundee FC forward. Nothing else is important and as I've already said Stewart Milne does a great job there. People there really underestimate what he does for them.

 

 

 

H: Moving on to our debt situation.......

 

 

 

CM: Can I state quite clearly there is no debt. There is no borrowing, no money owed to the banks. There was no money borrowed to buy players and no debt to a bank or me.

 

 

 

H: So the current purchases will not show on the balance sheet as a loan from yourself or any other such vehicle?

 

 

 

CM: Absolutely not. Can I just make it clear that Dundee FC own Gary Harkins, Leigh Griffiths and all the other players. Bob Brannan and Ian Bodie have done a fantastic job in getting the debt down and then off the books altogether. I am here to help and whether that help is financial, time or just enthusiasm I am here to complement the other board members. Not to take over. Not to loan money but to help. Of course if we sold a player for say £1 million and the club was in a position to give me some money back I'd be daft not to accept but nowhere is it written up as a loan or anything like that.

 

 

 

H: What is the current situation with the ground?

 

 

 

CM: There is an agreement in place for me to buy the ground for the benefit of the club. The Sale/Purchase Agreement is with my lawyer just now and it should all be tied up by the end of July. These things take time and being frank I go on holiday next week for a fortnight so that will hold it up. I'd imagine the end of July will be the latest time it will be sorted.

 

 

 

H: So when we play Morton at Dens the ground will be owned by the club?

 

 

 

CM: Absolutely yes. 

 

 

 

H: Again talking about reports elsewhere can the club sustain the players wages if you were not there?

 

 

 

CM: Yes. This is not a Gretna situation. This club is only sustainable in the long run in the SPL and that is where we need to be. We can pay good money now so imagine doubling the crowds and having SPL football to offer. We are aiming for regular 4th to 8th place in that league. I need to make it clear the players joining the club just now, they are not mercenaries. They are not being paid SPL wages they are being paid good 1st Division wages. There are fantastic bonuses in place for success in this league and to get out of it. They are buying into the idea that this club wants success and so do they. Of course some may see it as a stepping stone to greater things and why shouldn't they? But for now they are ambitious guys, not ones finishing their careers but starting them. Guys who are hungry, who want to be winners. They get 1st Division wages now with built in SPL wages after promotion. They are buying into the opportunity we are giving them. The board, the fans, the backroom staff and the players, we are all in this together. Everyone wants to see this club back in the SPL.

 

 

 

H: Going back to the ground, any South Enclosure plans?

 

 

 

CM: Not in the immediate short term no. Ian and I looked at the finances. The two most important things are the squad and ground ownership. We'll have dealt with both by the end of the month.

 

The ground is adequate for now and when we get to the SPL the south enclosure is unacceptable and needs looked at. We have other priorities today though.

 

 

 

H: In terms of priority where does youth development come in?

 

 

 

CM:  Huge priority;  not only youth development but also getting kids involved in and supporting the club.

 

We are in the process of setting up a charitable trust, DFC in the Community, that will see Dee Promotions, a new Business Club and the fans groups (working in unison) all working collectively, under the umbrella of the club, targeting to raise approx. quarter of a million pounds to completely fund the entire youth infrastructure ....from Pee Wee's to the Under 19's. This is a significant undertaking, and although I'm aware of some previous issues, they look to be in the past and is again another great example of everyone now all pulling in the same direction.  Youth development is vitally important to clubs like ours. We need to bring our own players through and there has been a reversal on cutbacks  and the The Board have just approved another full-time Community Coach which will be in addition to Craig Feret who is already doing a magnificent job.

 

In addition to our own playing staff we are committed to the city in terms of initiatives like  DFC In The Community which will get kids to come and watch the team. You have to get in there early.  This is crucial and the Board have already discussed this at length and will be launching various initiatives from the start of the season that will include donating free tickets to schoolkids and looking to enhance match-day activities. Dee 4 Life are also committed to supporting both matchday and community projects and initiatives

 

I remember my first visit to Pittodrie as a boy and when I went into the ground it seemed to me to be as spectacular as the Bernabeau. Nearly everyone who gets hooked on football remembers why. We need to get more kids along and keep them interested in Dundee FC. We can do that by winning football matches.

 

 

 

H: Changing direction, did you hear Craig Leveins comments about Dundee FC and unsustainability on the radio, mainly due to you not being a Dundee fan?

 

 

 

CM: (Laughing) Yes I did and I don't think Craig understands what I was trying to say. If he looked around he'd see many clubs run by or owned by people who never supported them. Chelsea and Man Utd to name two.

 

 

 

H: Don't forget the Chairman he liked so much.....

 

 

 

CM: Well, i'm not keen on discussing other clubs but whats happened here is that Setanta has come full circle. I don't need to be the Chairman here to feel important. I'm here to help, that is all. Dundee FC is a proper football club and i'm enjoying being part of it. The team I supported is irrelevant to me now in this situation and I'll be there to see us beat Aberdeen on the 25th. 

 

 

 

H: This links us nicely to Wesolowski....are we interested in him?

 

 

 

CM: Yes we are. He is also interested in coming to us but at the moment there are some obstacles, namely that he is so far outside our wage structure as to make it a non starter. It is exciting and remarkable that we can compete with SPL clubs for players such as this and the Setanta money that is not available to them now is making it possible to compete which we intend to do.

 

Jocky Scott is building a team for the SPL, with 3 yr deals and players well capable of playing there now or in the future. Potentially our team can go straight from the 1st Division to compete well there with a couple of additions. That's our aim.

 

 

 

H: To finish, we go back to the marriage offers. How can our posters progress this?

 

 

 

CM: Well I've seen the posts and though i'm married if they want to send their pictures into Dens for my attention I'll have a look. I'd also ask that they wear hair gel as that seems important to some people just now....

 

 

 

H: Calum thanks very much for your time and for answering our questions...

 

 

 

CM: No problem at all. As I said I'm not here to take over the club it's your club and I'm here to help however I can.

 

 

 

End of Interview

 

 

[Goldie03]

Cool interview he comes across as a really sound guy 

 

Just a pity he doesn't want to be involved in the dons

[manc_don]

Cool interview he comes across as a really sound guy 

 

Just a pity he doesn't want to be involved in the dons

 

My thoughts exactly.

[Reekie_Red]

I'm still wondering where the cash is coming from. Got to wonder if the Marr Brothers are still involved (even at arm's length) at Dens. That pair of crooks seemed to find money where there was none ... and wouldn't be surprised if some of the money for these signings is coming out of some of the Marr brothers' businesses (if they've still got any business left).

[Ajja]

You have to wonder why the SPL holds such desires for a club at present. Its hardly the pot of gold to be won. Fair play to Dundee if they have managed debt out of their business and are cutting out some shrewd deals with a new director who wants to invest in their future. Good luck to them I say. If they can oust some shitty west coast hole out of the league and I can get another couple of away days to Dundee with 3-4000 Dons fans then it works for me. Sheeeeeeeet, it may even enhance the value of the SPL. Fuck knows it needs it.

[TENEMENTFUNSTER]

 

You have to wonder why the SPL holds such desires for a club at present. Its hardly the pot of gold to be won. Fair play to Dundee if they have managed debt out of their business and are cutting out some shrewd deals with a new director who wants to invest in their future. Good luck to them I say. If they can oust some shitty west coast hole out of the league and I can get another couple of away days to Dundee with 3-4000 Dons fans then it works for me. Sheeeeeeeet, it may even enhance the value of the SPL. Fuck knows it needs it.

 

So you're a dons fan with a wheelbarrow fu of cash, the first thing you would do is throw it at Dundee eh? Wtf the fuck?

[Madbadteacher]

SPL = playing the bigots at least 6 times!!!

[Ajja]

So you're a dons fan with a wheelbarrow fu of cash, the first thing you would do is throw it at Dundee eh? Wtf the fuck?

 

Not every fan of a football team would die rather than do anything that didn't end up as the best for his/her team. Its the usual childish and myopic view on forums to assume that the minute you lay claim to being an Aberdeen fan that you should never take any other route in your future than to support/play for/manage/invest in your club.

 

Maybe he felt that there would be too much pressure on him to deliver at the team he supports, maybe he felt that the small investment he had to offer would do little for us, maybe he wants to be a big fish in a small pond, maybe he offered us something and was knocked back but doesn't want to upset the club by going public, maybe he believes that a club who are debt free is a better financial investment. Who knows, I still say good luck to the man whatever his thinking.

[TENEMENTFUNSTER]

Not every fan of a football team would die rather than do anything that didn't end up as the best for his/her team. Its the usual childish and myopic view on forums to assume that the minute you lay claim to being an Aberdeen fan that you should never take any other route in your future than to support/play for/manage/invest in your club.

 

Maybe he felt that there would be too much pressure on him to deliver at the team he supports, maybe he felt that the small investment he had to offer would do little for us, maybe he wants to be a big fish in a small pond, maybe he offered us something and was knocked back but doesn't want to upset the club by going public, maybe he believes that a club who are debt free is a better financial investment. Who knows, I still say good luck to the man whatever his thinking.

 

Not buying this "myopic" assertion of yours, football supports by definition are myopic. Who does he support if/when they get promoted and they play us?? I would question his credentials as an Aberdeen fan in that event, that and the fact it's Dundee. Fuck sake it's Dundee!!

 

If I had enough spare cash to consider pishing it away in the direction of a football club it would only be with AFC, that's who I support. Certainly wouldn't be a club where there would be an issue with divided loyalties. If that is myopic or even childish then fair enough but the idea of giving large sums of money to a team who will most likely end up playing against the team he supports jars with me.

[Ajja]

Not buying this "myopic" assertion of yours, football supports by definition are myopic. Who does he support if/when they get promoted and they play us?? I would question his credentials as an Aberdeen fan in that event, that and the fact it's Dundee. Fuck sake it's Dundee!!

 

If I had enough spare cash to consider pishing it away in the direction of a football club it would only be with AFC, that's who I support. Certainly wouldn't be a club where there would be an issue with divided loyalties. If that is myopic or even childish then fair enough but the idea of giving large sums of money to a team who will most likely end up playing against the team he supports jars with me.

 

Again, you can't make assumptions about the commitment of every individual based on your own levels. There are infinite shades of grey when 'supporting' a team. In the grown up world people are balancing all sorts of options and outcomes when they point their moral compass. Its just not as black and white as 'cut me and I bleed Aberdeen'.

[capitalsharpie]

Im with TF on this:

 

Its dundee for fuck sake!!

 

A small, ugly city with two teams divided by moronic bigotry. By that very definintion, these teams can only get so far. 

 

4th to 8th place in the SPL?  Doubling home crowds? Aye. Right.  dufc home crowds are pish and they are supposedly a main stay SPL club.

 

Pie in the sky.  Gretna II.

[Jute]

Im with TF on this:

 

Its dundee for fuck sake!!

 

A small, ugly city with two teams divided by moronic bigotry. By that very definintion, these teams can only get so far. 

 

4th to 8th place in the SPL?  Doubling home crowds? Aye. Right.  dufc home crowds are pish and they are supposedly a main stay SPL club.

 

Pie in the sky.  Gretna II.

 

Do not think that has been a consideration for a long time. Have never heard it raised by anyone I know who supported either team.

 

As for the crowds it is not total pie in the sky to look to double the current average gate to only 6,000. For starters Crowds will be boosted by games against the infirm, Us and possibly derby matches against both Arabs and St J. All will see them getting far bigger away supports in the ground than they currently get in the first division so average gate will increase from that alone.

 

 

[BobbyBiscuit]

Do not think that has been a consideration for a long time. Have never heard it raised by anyone I know who supported either team.

 

As for the crowds it is not total pie in the sky to look to double the current average gate to only 6,000. For starters Crowds will be boosted by games against the infirm, Us and possibly derby matches against both Arabs and St J. All will see them getting far bigger away supports in the ground than they currently get in the first division so average gate will increase from that alone.

 

 

 

Crowds may go up but so will wages/bonuses. From an investment point of view the increased crowds probably wouldn't cover the jump in wages.

[TENEMENTFUNSTER]

Again, you can't make assumptions about the commitment of every individual based on your own levels. There are infinite shades of grey when 'supporting' a team. In the grown up world people are balancing all sorts of options and outcomes when they point their moral compass. Its just not as black and white as 'cut me and I bleed Aberdeen'.

 

Again it's the "grown up" world.   I see no reason why finding it hard to fathom why someone would give such large levels of financial assistance to a competing club is "childish".  I appreciate people have priorities that won't match up to my "moral compass" but there are things that you just don't do!!

 

And if it is to be a "big fash in a wee pond" then that is all a bit sad isn't it?

[capitalsharpie]

Besides, do we want another club in the premier leaugue in this country "boasting" home attendance figures of 5000 (often less) as that team slided into mediocrity at the arse end of the season?

 

So Jute, if bigotry isnt a problem with the folk you ken that support the dundee teams, then surely pooling thier resources and combined home attendance into one big, happy  dundee team would be the best option for all?

[Jute]

Besides, do we want another club in the premier leaugue in this country "boasting" home attendance figures of 5000 (often less) as that team slided into mediocrity at the arse end of the season?

 

So Jute, if bigotry isnt a problem with the folk you ken that support the dundee teams, then surely pooling thier resources and combined home attendance into one big, happy  dundee team would be the best option for all?

 

They would be against it as it would mean the death of their team. Most I have spoken to do think a shared stadium is a good idea but they would fight tooth and nail against any merger in the same way I am sure you would fight any suggested merger that would see the Dons losing their identity.

[TENEMENTFUNSTER]

They would be against it as it would mean the death of their team. Most I have spoken to do think a shared stadium is a good idea but they would fight tooth and nail against any merger in the same way I am sure you would fight any suggest merger that would see the Dons losing their identity.

 

Absolutely, along similar lines to Mercer trying to merge Hibs and Hearts. Daftness.

[glasgow sheep]

Besides, do we want another club in the premier leaugue in this country "boasting" home attendance figures of 5000 (often less) as that team slided into mediocrity at the arse end of the season?

 

So Jute, if bigotry isnt a problem with the folk you ken that support the dundee teams, then surely pooling thier resources and combined home attendance into one big, happy  dundee team would be the best option for all?

What has bigotry got to do with it?

Would ManU and ManCity want to merge?  Of course not, does that mean they are both sectarian clubs?  Don't be so daft

[glasgow sheep]

Klimpl added to Dundee recruits 

 

First Division big-spenders Dundee have signed Slovakian international Maros Klimpl on a three-year deal.

 

The 28-year-old spent last season on loan with Motherwell from Danish club Danish club FC Midtjylland.

 

He has since been released from the final year of his Midtjylland contract and had been on trial at Cardiff City.

 

Klimpl arrived at Motherwell as a centre-half but was converted to a holding midfield player and impressed in the role for the Steelmen.

 

Dundee have already bolstered their midfield with the summer signings of Gary Harkins, Brian Kerr and Richie Hart.

 

 

[Guest leith_red]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/8325156.stm

 

First Division outfit Dundee have made a £500,000 bid for Dundee United midfielder Scott Robertson.

 

Robertson joined United from their city rivals in summer of 2008, but Dundee investor Calum Melville wants him back.

 

Melville believed Robertson would be out of contract next summer, but has been informed that the player's current deal at Tannadice runs until 2011.

 

"He is our number one target," Melville told BBC Scotland. "They need the money and we can pay better wages than them."

 

Robertson has been a huge success at Tannadice winning his first Scotland cap in a friendly against Argentina after joining the club.

 

It is understood Dundee have contacted Robertson's agent, Charlie Duddy, but have been informed that because the player is under contract until summer 2011, no transfer activity can take place unless a successful bid is accepted.

 

Dundee are currently top of the First Division and hope to gain promotion to the Premier League for the first time since 2005.

 

"We will be an SPL club again and he wants to play for us," said Melville.

 

"This is not about stirring up things with United. We'll be happy to sign any of their good players.

 

"I want to re-galvanise Dundee and I don't make rash promises. What I say I'll do, I do."

 

United boss Craig Levein was dismissive of Dundee's interest in his player.

 

"If he (Melville) wants to sign Scott you can tell him to put in an offer for him," Levein told BBC Scotland.

 

"You can give him my number and tell him to call me.

 

"He'll be sitting in the house with nothing better to do than wondering how can he noise us up."

 

United chairman Stephen Thompson was equally scathing about Melville's comments.

 

"He should know his facts before he makes comments," said Thompson.

 

"Maybe he should have a better understanding of things before he opens his mouth."

 

Thompson also dismissed any suggestion that a £500,000 bid would be enough to tempt them to part company with Robertson.

 

He added: "If he wants to put a bid in writing then he's welcome to do it.

 

"We might consider a bid if it was for a couple of million."

 

However, Melville insisted that the Dens Park side would bid for the player in the January transfer window.

 

"I think we would get him for £500,000. I'm convinced United need the money."