DUNDEE UNITED APPOINT GENERAL MANAGER

Dundee United has appointed David Southern to the newly created General Manager role. The former Heart of Midlothian Managing Director will join the Club by the end of August having spent almost nine years at Tynecastle. The new role at Tannadice encompasses direction and day-to-day management support for the majority of the Club's off field functions. Stephen Thompson, Dundee United Chairman, said: "We are delighted that David has agreed to join us in this capacity. He brings a wide range of relevant skills and operational experience to the Club and will be a valuable addition to our management team." Having joined Hearts as Communications Director in 2005, shortly after which he was promoted to Marketing and Communications Director, David has been Managing Director for the last four years. During this time he steered the club operationally through one of the most testing times in its history and assisted in the rescue of the business. David said: "I very much look forward to joining Dundee United this season. Having met the Chairman and Derek Robertson I was enthused by their ambition for the Club and I feel fortunate to be joining at this time. "This is an exciting time for both the Club and for Scottish football as there is a real opportunity for change across the game. Having worked with the Chairman at SPL level on a range of improvements including most recently league reconstruction, I am sure there is more we can deliver both at Club and national level to build supporter enthusiasm in forthcoming seasons. "Dundee United is well positioned both on and off field for future success and my focus will be primarily to support the Club's off field operations and deliver on the undoubted promise that exists."