STATEMENT FROM CHAIRMAN MARK OGREN

I want to pass on my thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by the COVID-19 virus whether part of the Dundee United family, the Dundee community or the key workers on the front line. 

These unprecedented times are causing extreme hardships on many and will have a significant effect in both the short and long term on the overall welfare of families and businesses.

As Chairman of Dundee United FC, I am very proud of what our Club has been able to accomplish in the relatively short period of time under our ownership. 

We, together, have started something special here and the words of United Together cannot be understated. The future of our position in the league is under discussion with the governing bodies. Our coaching staff and players are more determined than ever to continue what we have started as soon as they can, to create even more memories for our fans.

I want to thank everyone throughout our Club for making the furlough process as easy as possible. We also, however, all need to understand that with every crisis comes financial burden which needs to be managed carefully. Financially, this is an extremely difficult time for our Club.

With that in mind and with great disappointment, I would like to state that recent talks between Dundee United FC and the Dundee United Supporters Foundation (DUSF) have now come to an end. 

After initially being told the organisation was there to assist our Club with monies which have been raised throughout their membership, we as a board were not willing to fulfil the unreasonable demands of DUSF encompassing a requirement for shares and thereafter a secured loan. This is particularly troublesome to us considering the size of the overall investment Scott and I have put into Dundee United FC and quite frankly goes against all the values that we have as owners and as a Club.

Therefore, we are formally announcing that Dundee United FC will no longer recognise DUSF as a partner moving forward. What this means for the future existence of that organisation and to the distribution or otherwise of the funds it has accumulated from fans over a number of years is a question only their Steering Committee can answer.

We will be shortly announcing the formation of a new Supporters' Foundation after consultation with the various supporter groups with whom we have clear and productive relationships.