First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
Dundee United supporters today (13th December 2002) acquired their first ever shareholding in the Club when the newly formed Dundee United Supporters' Trust 'ArabTRUST' accepted a number of shares from United Chairman Eddie Thompson.
Membership of the Trust is open to all Dundee United supporters and further shares in the Club will be purchased and held on their collective behalf. Existing shareholders will also be invited to join the Trust. It is hoped that ultimately, the Trust will have at their disposal sufficient shares to gain fans' representation within the Dundee United boardroom; a point of principle already accepted by the Club.
ArabTRUST spokesman Mike Barile said, "We are delighted that Eddie Thompson has fulfilled his pledge to donate a small parcel of his shares to Dundee United supporters. This marks the end of a long campaign to have the share capital of the Club opened up to fans in this way. Whilst only a modest step in itself, this completes the first stage in the process to enfranchise Dundee United fans and begins the next stage of gaining real influence.
"The Trust will seek to involve a widespread and representative membership drawn from the whole Dundee United supporter base. This will not be a factional or minority group. All of the acting committee will stand down at the first opportunity, to allow the membership to choose their own committee. This is a real opportunity for Arabs everywhere to get involved to raise funds for the Club's youth development programme and encourage the Club to take proper account of its fans and the community it serves."
Dundee United director Derek Robertson said, "Boards and owners of football clubs may come and go, but fans remain the same. No matter who the current custodians of the Club are, the fans are the only true constant. A successful Trust will enable the supporters to make a major contribution to the future success of the Club. We welcome any constructive interest in the business of the Club."
For further information please contact Malcolm Brown (Harrison Cowley) on 07831 817752 or 0131 556 6600.
Notes to Editor:
The Trust has been constituted as an Industrial & Provident Society with the assistance of Supporters Direct in Scotland, a Scottish Executive funded body, aimed at assisting fans to play a more meaningful and positive role in the affairs of their club. In Scotland, Trusts have now been, or are in the process of being, established at Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee United, Hearts, Hibs, Motherwell, Partick Thistle, Falkirk, Morton, Montrose, Raith Rovers, Dumbarton, Hamilton, Stirling Albion. Several others are in the pipeline. Throughout the UK, over 60 Supporters Trusts have already been established. Several Trusts now own a majority interest in their Club.
Membership of the Trust is open to all Dundee United supporters and further shares in the Club will be purchased and held on their collective behalf. Existing shareholders will also be invited to join the Trust. It is hoped that ultimately, the Trust will have at their disposal sufficient shares to gain fans' representation within the Dundee United boardroom; a point of principle already accepted by the Club.
ArabTRUST spokesman Mike Barile said, "We are delighted that Eddie Thompson has fulfilled his pledge to donate a small parcel of his shares to Dundee United supporters. This marks the end of a long campaign to have the share capital of the Club opened up to fans in this way. Whilst only a modest step in itself, this completes the first stage in the process to enfranchise Dundee United fans and begins the next stage of gaining real influence.
"The Trust will seek to involve a widespread and representative membership drawn from the whole Dundee United supporter base. This will not be a factional or minority group. All of the acting committee will stand down at the first opportunity, to allow the membership to choose their own committee. This is a real opportunity for Arabs everywhere to get involved to raise funds for the Club's youth development programme and encourage the Club to take proper account of its fans and the community it serves."
Dundee United director Derek Robertson said, "Boards and owners of football clubs may come and go, but fans remain the same. No matter who the current custodians of the Club are, the fans are the only true constant. A successful Trust will enable the supporters to make a major contribution to the future success of the Club. We welcome any constructive interest in the business of the Club."
For further information please contact Malcolm Brown (Harrison Cowley) on 07831 817752 or 0131 556 6600.
Notes to Editor:
The Trust has been constituted as an Industrial & Provident Society with the assistance of Supporters Direct in Scotland, a Scottish Executive funded body, aimed at assisting fans to play a more meaningful and positive role in the affairs of their club. In Scotland, Trusts have now been, or are in the process of being, established at Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee United, Hearts, Hibs, Motherwell, Partick Thistle, Falkirk, Morton, Montrose, Raith Rovers, Dumbarton, Hamilton, Stirling Albion. Several others are in the pipeline. Throughout the UK, over 60 Supporters Trusts have already been established. Several Trusts now own a majority interest in their Club.
