A legal case brought against Dundee United by a sacked employee is threatening to expose claims of a so-called banter culture at the club.
Accommodation manager Gordon Grady was let go in March in relation to an alleged incident involving a youth player at a property owned by United.
The Courier previously reported how the 53-year-old, who is the brother of former player James Grady, is launching an employment tribunal, suing the club for unfair dismissal.
Claim sacking decision ‘inconsistent’
Now, more details are starting to emerge about the nature of Mr Grady’s claim after the case was formally lodged.
It is understood the long-serving United staff member is hopeful that supplying examples of regular boisterous behaviour among players and staff could undermine the justification given for his dismissal.
Mr Grady claims the allegations against him, which will be revealed if the tribunal claim progresses further, are exaggerated and that his treatment is inconsistent.
The incident in question occurred at The Cedars mansion on Perth Road in September last year.
It is understood the player involved, who was 17 at the time, did not make a complaint.
United have only confirmed Mr Grady was sacked following a “child protection investigation” and have not disclosed the exact nature of the probe.
However, the matter was not deemed serious enough to be reported to police.
Mr Grady, who is being represented by law firm Muir, Myles, Laverty, has said little about the case other than expressing his sadness at leaving the club.
Posting on Twitter earlier this year, he said he “absolutely loved” his 25 years working at Tannadice, adding he believes the “the truth will come out in the end”.
Gordon Grady set to be evicted
The Cedars is a former mansion house converted into shared living accommodation for youth players for the under-18 and under-20 sides.
Mr Grady will be evicted from the home, where he was given free rent as part of his contract, at the end of next week.
It is understood players continued to reside at the mansion with Mr Grady while he was suspended, despite alleged concerns about his conduct.
He was the accommodation manager, looking after residents and managing The Cedars, but his role expanded into various areas during the pandemic.
He began driving players to and from training as well as cooking and serving them food.
He also washed kits and cleaned up the premises, having previously run the J League side for kids as young as 18 months through to teens.
Former players’ support for ex-United worker
Mr Grady has received online support from various professional players and managers since news of his departure from the club emerged.
This includes former Tangerines players Graham Gartland, Chris Erskine and David McCracken, as well as former Arbroath, Dundee and Forfar playmaker Gavin Swankie.
Ricky Ross from the band Deacon Blue has also posted online passing his best wishes to Mr Grady, whose brother James played for both Dundee clubs.
James scored 28 goals in 106 appearances for Dundee FC between 1997 and 2000 and helped fire the Dark Blues to the First Division title in 1998.
He later joined United, scoring five times in 34 outings.
A spokesperson for Dundee United said: “We can confirm an employee was recently dismissed on the grounds of gross misconduct following a child protection case.
“We have nothing further to say at this point.”
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