Dear Members,
Hope springs eternal – so the saying goes – but if you’re a Dundee fan it’s more a case of brief periods of flow followed by sustained dribbling and sputtering. After a fantastic team performance in the Scottish Cup tie at Parkhead, which came so close to achieving a memorable victory that was only undone with added time, we were brought back down to earth with a disappointing defeat at Falkirk and a draw that felt like a defeat after throwing away an early two-goal lead at home to Livingston.
The eternal part kicked in though with a dramatic 3-2 win away to Aberdeen, the first victory at Pittodrie in 22 years, and suddenly the picture brightened again. There are some clear signs of improvement with a few of the players really starting to show they can compete in the premiership. The cushion from the three wins at the turn of the year had eroded before Ethan Hamilton’s second rocket strike in recent weeks but Dundee are managing to keep their noses in front of St Mirren and Kilmarnock in the race to stay out of the play-off place. While any win over Aberdeen has to be savoured, the slow start to the match was concerning and the penalty and red card were clearly pivotal. Head Coach Steven Pressley will know that they have to find more consistency and resilience to get themselves out of the relegation battle.
SGM reminder
Turning to Dee4Life business, I would like to remind all members that we have a Special General Meeting coming up at 11am for 11.30am on Saturday, 28 February at the Dundee Social Club, Thistle Street, DD3 7RF.
The meeting has been arranged to consider proposed updates to Dee4Life’s rules and to review the organisation’s strategy. The meeting papers can be viewed by clicking the links below:
I would encourage you to attend if at all possible and to exercise your voting rights as a member. It really is hugely important for us to hear your views and for you to play your part in shaping Dee4Life’s future. There will be tea and coffee and biscuits on offer if you need any further incentive to come along!
Positive discussions
I’m delighted to report that we have enjoyed some very positive recent discussions on off-the-field matters. Dundee FC’s Supporters’ Liaison Officers Billy Douglas and Kris Scrimgeour joined our most recent board call and gave us an update on positive developments behind the scenes at Dens and Gardyne.
They have been really heartened by the welcome they have received from the club and the fans and reported some good progress in a number of areas such as repairs to some parts of the stadium infrastructure, continued improvements to the playing surface, repairing the stadium phone system, engaging with young fans and the Foundation regarding funds for youth development and the £10 ticket offer at the Livingston game among other things. Both Billy and Kris are in regular contact with SLO’s at other clubs and said that their experience is much more positive than that of many of their counterparts.
We discussed ways in which Dee4Life could support the club such as encouraging members to assist with some of the improvement work going at Dens.
DSA meeting
We also had a positive meeting with the Dundee Supporters’ Association (DSA) and among the topics discussed was working together with the club to support the Community Trust and the Foundation. There were useful conversations on what other clubs are doing and what we can all learn from St Johnstone’s fan engagement strategy and charter. It was recognised that there are positive developments at the club which many fans are not aware of and the club’s recent recruitment advertisement for a Communications Manager suggests this is an area of focus for them.
One less positive thing to note is that there was nothing relating to the new stadium proposal on the agenda for the February meeting of Dundee City Council’s planning committee so the uncertainty continues.
I will close by wishing Steven Pressley and the team the very best in an important run of fixtures before the league split. An encouraging transfer window closed with some useful additions in the shape of defender Lewis Montsma and winger Scott Wright but was slightly undermined by the lack of a recognised striker coming in beyond the young Mexican Aldahur Valenzuela. It was good to see the Captain Simon Murray back among the goals against Livingston and Aberdeen. It has to be hoped, that word again, that it will spark a run of goals for the captain in the latter stages of the season. More sharpness up front will be key to the club’s efforts to stay up this season.
Keith Winter
Chairman
Dee4Life 