Dundee managing director John Nelms has come under fire from a prominent supporters group.
Dee4Life have waited months for a response to concerns over future plans for Dens Park and the development of a new stadium at Camperdown Park.
However, despite an initial acknowledgement of the first message there has been no further word from the Texan.
With the winter transfer window out of the way and the frenzy of new deals having died down, Dee4Life have pushed for answers from Nelms.
Stadium plans
Courier Sport broke the story in November that plans were being drawn up by Dundee‘s American owners to buy back Dens and sell it to help fund a new stadium at Camperdown Park.
Those plans have not progressed, with the current stadium still belonging to local businessman John Bennett.
Should things move forward, there are concerns the Dark Blues could be left effectively homeless if their current home was to be sold before a new ground was built.
That is the crux of the Dee4Life – also known as the Dundee FC Supporters Society – correspondence as they seek more information from the club’s owners.
‘Serious concerns’
However, patience from the fan group has worn thin.
Seen by Courier Sport, the letter penned by Norrie Price – author of noted Dundee history books Up Wi The Bonnets! and They Wore The Dark Blue – says the lack of response “follows the pattern of previous attempts to engage”.
Among a number of concerns raised, the original correspondence said: “I am writing to you on behalf of the Dee4life (DFCSS) board to express our concerns over press speculation about the club’s new stadium plans.
“We have serious concerns that there has been no consultation with shareholders or the support on this matter.
“For a potentially negligible profit and set against projected £20m-plus new stadium costs, we believe FPS (Football Partners Scotland, the American company that owns Dundee) would be taking a massive gamble with the club’s future.
“There is a parallel with the nomadic existence and eventual demise of Clydebank some 20 years ago when Kilbowie was sold with no new home to go to.
“Having nearly lost our club twice, we do not want to test our luck a third time with a ground-sharing gamble that is subject to building delays and other factors outwith our control.”
Consultation
Included were further questions over anticipated timescales for a move to Camperdown Park, whether issues around that site have been resolved, if discussions had been had with other clubs about a potential groundshare and what “detailed benefits” there are for the move.
The letter concluded: “We would repeat our strong belief that there ought to have been consultation with representatives from all major shareholders/supporters’ groups.
“We remain willing to listen to your specific proposals and provide you with feedback but reserve the right to do our utmost to protect the interests of the fans, without whom the club would not have a present or indeed a future.”
‘Poor’ communication
Further correspondence included criticism of “poor” communication from the Dundee owners, saying: “Since first outlined in 2017, updates on the new stadium have been minimal and arguably reactive, long on promises and short on detail.
“Supporters are desperate for positive communication from the top.”
Courier Sport contacted the club regarding the emails but Dundee FC declined to comment.
