FORMER DUNDEE striker Tommy Coyne believes the love people have for the Dark Blues can help the club survive administration, writes Ian Roache.

Coyne was at Dens Park yesterday to launch a scheme that enables fans to buy a team shirt signed by a player of their choice.

The man who starred for the team in the late 1980s joined forces with 1962 championship-winning captain Bobby Cox and current stars Nacho Novo and Lee Wilkie to promote the latest fund-raiser.

And Coyne is hoping that all the enterprise and hard work shown by those who hold the Dark Blues dear will reap rewards.

He said, “One of my previous teams Clydebank has already gone to the wall but to think that could happen to a club of Dundee’s stature and standing is horrific.

“I think, though, that there are too many people who have the team at heart to allow that to be the case and I am one of them.

“There is a big problem caused by players getting paid huge salaries for too long, with many of them coming in from abroad on big contracts and the clubs unable to meet the costs.

“But people who are passionate about and love Dundee are trying everything possible to save the club. They believe they can do it and so do I.

“I only achieved what I did because of the times and experiences I had here,” added Coyne, who went on to play for Celtic and featured for the Republic of Ireland in the 1994 World Cup before eventually enjoying a second spell at Dens.

He holds particular affection for the fans who forgave him for turning out for city rivals Dundee United before switching sides.

“At most clubs I enjoyed a good rapport with the supporters but I would say it was a particularly warm relationship at Dundee,” he said.

“At first I thought it was going to be difficult crossing over the street but I quickly found out that would not be the case.

“Indeed, they took to me their hearts right away and I enjoyed some fabulous times here.”

A specially signed shirt costs £150 and to have it presented by the player of your choice will set you back a further £100.

They can be ordered from Dundee Direct at www.dundeefcdirect.com or by contacting the Dens commercial department on 01382 884450.

It is also hoped former stars like Alan Gilzean and Charlie Cooke will throw their weight and their signatures behind the scheme.

A special stock of retro 1960s style tops has been ordered in anticipation of demand.