SUPPORTERS’ TRUST Dee4Life last night launched an ambitious plan to pump £120,000 a year into relegated Dundee FC through a direct debit scheme.

Around 400 members of the trust were given details of the proposal at a “positive” meeting in the Dundee Supporters’ Club.

Among the speakers were Dundee FC chairman Bob Brannan, Dee4Life chairman George Knight, secretary Scott Glenday, treasurer Mark Gallacher and James Proctor of Supporters Direct.

After the meeting, Mr Knight said they hoped 2000 supporters would each give £5 a month through the direct contribution scheme.

Should they be successful in reaching that target, he said, £120,000 would be invested into the ailing Dens Park club in return for shares.

A separate fund-a-player project was also launched, similar to the drive which helped bring Fabian Caballero back to Dens last term.

That too would be in return for shares in the club, and there would also be the benefits of player sponsorship to investors.

The supporters’ trust owns around 5% of Dundee FC, who were relegated on the last day of the season and are in the midst of fresh cost-cutting measures as they prepare for life in Division One.

At a time when they are facing a projected drop in income of up to £30,000 a week, it was inevitable that Mr Brannan would face questions about the club’s finances.

It is understood that Dundee will be operating on a budget of less than half of that for last season, but that they hope to break even.

Equalling last year’s 3200 season ticket sales, or even bettering the figure, would be “a huge leg-up” for the club, the meeting heard.

Mr Knight said, “Mr Brannan was very open, and spoke about the financial situation, the work that has gone on and is still to be done.

“The feedback was positive, and in fact one guy got up and expressed his thanks to Mr Brannan for facing and answering the questions that he did.

“Fans have been encouraged to direct their points of view to the trust.

“Part of the reason for having the meeting was to get their feedback.”