With my great-great-grandfather Francis Barrett one of the first Dundee players to be capped for Scotland, you could say the club has been in my family’s blood for generations.
Following Dundee over the years has been filled with ups and downs but one thing has remained consistent – Dens Park.
Yes, it’s had some welcome upgrades over the years.
Yet, given how well the club are doing on and off the pitch just now, the time seems right to say our goodbyes and embrace leaving our spiritual home, finally propelling the club into the 21st Century.
Fellow Dark Blues supporters will be quick to acknowledge we have been led down many a garden path over the years by individuals who proclaimed to have Dundee’s best interests at heart.
Talk of a new stadium will obviously be met with scepticism.
However, this time around, it feels different with Tim Keyes and John Nelms at the helm.
‘Dens has seen better days’
There seems to have been a reluctance in the past to move forward and get with the times, likely due to the club having to right the wrongs of previous regimes before attempting to rebuild.
There has been talk of potential stadium moves for as long as I can remember but, given how Dundee are portraying this to the public, it no longer feels like a “pipe dream”.
This is a dream that can one day, finally, come true.
Seeing the plans for the stadium development and training facilities whet the appetite and allow us to use our imagination to a degree.
But the fly-by 3D tour of how it will look made it seem real.
It has been an incredible effort from architects Holmes and Miller, and LJRH, and is only the beginning.
Dens is a place Dees will forever love and hold dear to our hearts.
If we’re being honest, though, it has seen better days.
It has a kind of archaic charm but it’s time to move on. Ask fans of teams who have left dilapidated surroundings and moved to modern stadiums what they prefer.
There’s only so much a lick of paint can do to hide the cracks.
Moving to Camperdown will take the club to the next level, increasing revenue and helping us to attract a better standard of player.
Crucially, judging by the 3D video, it will enhance the matchday experience for fans.
‘Hooray Henrys’
The delays surrounding the application have been frustrating.
It seems the council may have their eyes on other matters (Note – Dundee City Council said it had requested the Dark Blues provide more information so officers can “properly consider” the plans).
Supporters of the application have submitted their opinions – including myself – and hopefully they are properly acknowledged and taken on board.
I feel we are only at the tip of the iceberg with the Hooray Henrys.
Those coming out the woodwork to vent their disgruntled opinions over something that will, more than likely, have zero to no impact on their lives.
Humans are naturally against change, even if the change will be a positive one to many others.
They will attempt to voice their opposition louder than those who are likely to embrace the opportunity.
My wish is every single Dundee fan gets behind this application vocally – this will benefit their families, as well as the club, for years to come.
And hopefully planning approval from the council can turn the sceptics into believers.
- Paul Gray is co-host of Dundee FC podcast Up Wi’ The Bonnets.
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