By Ian Roache

THE PROSPECT of Dundee Football Club playing its games at Tannadice next season moved a step closer to becoming reality last night.

The club’s administrator Tom Burton has drawn up a three-point proposal to be put before the Scottish Premier League at their meeting on March 30 and, crucially, one of the options is a ground-share with Dundee United.

The other avenues being explored are remaining at Dens Park, and staying put but with a change of ownership of the stadium. Both come with a request that the SPL waive the requirement to install undersoil heating for the start of the 2004-05 campaign.

However, The Courier understands the likeliest outcome is still a move over the road to become tenants of the Tangerines, although the would-be landlords have yet to give their final approval to the move and talks are ongoing.

Mr Burton is well aware of the uproar among Dundee fans, who appear to be totally united against the plan.

But in a statement issued last night, administrators Ernst & Young confirmed sharing is on the agenda.

“Our primary purpose is and always has been to secure the survival of Dundee Football Club as a going concern, and for this reason, all potential options have to be kept open,” it read.

“The SPL is to be notified of three options in relation to where Dundee Football Club plays its football in season 2004/2005.

“This precautionary move by the club’s administrator, Tom Burton, is designed to ensure that all avenues remain open to the club whilst negotiations with creditors continue.”

Mr Burton added that moving in with United is not his preferred option but it is one he has to seriously consider nonetheless.

“The notification of a potential ground-share has been made by us purely as a protective measure,” he claimed.

With the opposition from fans and, indeed, Dundee directors Peter and Jimmy Marr in mind, the administrator insisted a relocation would be a last resort.

“We recognise and understand the historical and emotional importance of Dens Park to the club’s supporters and ground-sharing will only be pursued if we have no other option available to us,” said Mr Burton.

“By notifying the SPL within their own timescale we are ensuring that each of these avenues can be further employed should the need arise.

“We are trying to ensure that the club has every opportunity to survive and, as we made clear back in November when we were appointed, we are leaving no stone unturned as we attempt to achieve this.

“We recognise and acknowledge Peter and Jimmy Marr’s strong preference for remaining at Dens Park and the two options which would enable this to happen are being fully evaluated and considered.”

That may be so, but the fact remains that Scotland’s top-flight clubs will be asked when they meet on March 30 to consider a plan to let the Dark Blues share a stadium with United next term.

The ground-share idea is an unpalatable prospect for Dundee supporters, who are furious with this turn of events.

Indeed, Dee4Life campaign chairman George Knight is proposing the £150,000 raised by his organisation should now be used to form a new team instead of going to a Tannadice-bound club.

So far Dee4Life have handed over £30,000 to Dundee but a vote may be taken at this morning’s launch of the supporters’ trust to withhold further donations.

“I understand Tom Burton’s point of view and he is trying to save a business,” said Knight.

“What he has to understand, though, is that as fans we are trying to save an institution, one that plays its football at Dens Park.

“At some point down the line if there was going to be ground-sharing at a new stadium that is something we might consider acceptable.

“But what definitely is not is us moving to Tannadice as tenants. If that happens no one is going to buy season tickets, no one is going to go and that will mean the end.

“There is a definite feeling that if that is going to happen we might as well let the club die at Dens.”

There has even been talk of Dundee doing an Airdrie and reappearing in Division Three with their identity almost intact.