The connection between Dundee Football Club and its fans has taken a fresh hit after the resignation of the club’s supporter liaison officer (SLO).
A lifelong fan of the Dark Blues, John Burke has called an end to his almost five years as SLO – a role that saw him act as a go-between between fans and club – saying there is “far too much negativity around the place”.
However, he is keen to stress his decision to call it a day isn’t due to any problem in his relationship with the club – nor any abuse that may have come his way from the fanbase.
His hope is that a new face can help rebuild bridges between Dundee supporters and managing director John Nelms.
“It’s nothing sinister, I’ve just had enough,” he told Courier Sport.
“It’s a personal decision to stop and let someone else take over.
“I’ve done it for so many years it’s time for me to step aside, get someone younger who has more understanding of social media and things like that.
“I don’t have any qualms or issues with supporters or the club, it’s just time someone else took over.
“There is far too much negativity around the place, I hope someone else coming in can help that.”
Banner furore
One of Burke’s last acts as SLO has been to help a young group of fans in their bid to improve the atmosphere around Dens Park.
However, complaints were made to the club last week around the group’s name ‘Section Eighteen’ and a logo on a group banner, which was described as a ‘fascist insignia’.
That saw Dundee take the banner down.
However, it is understood the club has already held positive talks with the supporters group at the centre of the storm, who have expressed their shock at the fascism accusations and a willingness to ditch their controversial logo.
The club have been made aware of comments online regarding the removal of a fans group’s banner at the stadium this morning.
— Dundee Football Club (@DundeeFC) March 19, 2022
And Burke says moves to improve the experience at Dens Park through fan-led initiatives is to be encouraged.
“If they can bring the atmosphere back to Dens then it is 100% recommended,” he added.
“I really took to them, they are really bright young laddies.
“If I was young enough, I think I’d be in amongst them giving it laldie!
“The whole thing has been blown out of proportion.”
Dundee remove fans’ group banner from Dens Park after social media storm over ‘fascist insignia’
