Dundee are between rock and a hard place

Whatever their decision, it is likely to trigger a hold-up which several clubs can ill afford
Anyone waiting for a decisive statement from Dens Park yesterday was in for a letdown. Picture: SNS.Anyone waiting for a decisive statement from Dens Park yesterday was in for a letdown. Picture: SNS.
Anyone waiting for a decisive statement from Dens Park yesterday was in for a letdown. Picture: SNS.

John Nelms had perhaps savoured the idea of being a Robin Hood character for Scottish football’s poor and needy.

But not even the Sherwood Forest outlaw could deliver reconstruction. It’s the Gordian knot that has long strangled the Scottish game. Dundee managing director Nelms might well be discovering he has got in above his head. He might be from the state, but in a game of Texas hold ‘em, the American is a novice compared to some of the characters around Scottish football’s top table.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dundee’s chance to be kingmakers looks to have gone. The casting vote Nelms, pictured below, was proudly holding to his chest on Friday evening could yet turn to dust in the managing director’s hands.

Events and revelations have overtaken them hence the statement put out by the Dens Park club last night. For those expecting a decisive comment, it was a mind-crushing let down. “We don’t feel we are in a position to comment further on the resolution that was put forward,” it stated.

“We understand that this may bring more questions than answers and we will look to give a much more substantial account of the past few days at the conclusion of this process.

“Our supporters should know that we are, as always, looking out for the best interests of both Dundee Football Club and Scottish football as a whole.”

The smoke from the Dens Park chimney was not to signify a decision had been made. It was in fact from the scorch marks as the club go round and round in circles as they attempt to find a way out of this while clinging to some self respect.

Dundee are now between a rock and a hard place since whatever they opt to do now is likely to trigger a hold up, one several clubs can ill afford.

The Scottish game is supposed to be throwing its arms around those deemed to be struggling. Instead, it’s shooting itself in the foot. By contrast with the Dens Park club’s statement, the one issued by Partick Thistle yesterday constitutes a game-changing intervention. The Firhill club feel they have a compelling legal position and seem determined to
 go to court over the issue if they have to.

Why else have they committed time and money employing a senior QC to run the rule over a ballot that allowed Dundee to cast but then later withdraw a voting slip which would have nixed the SPFL’s resolution to curtail the season with final league placings based on points per games played?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

If this resolution is passed courtesy of a belated Dundee yes vote, Thistle have threatened to paralyse the whole process. Hearts and Rangers are standing by with further legal challenges.

The pressure applied to Dundee and others in this unedifying affair is understood to stretch to actual threats of financial harm.

“It has been vicious – ten times worse than the Rangers saga,” said one club official yesterday.

“The SPFL board are meant to represent us all. That’s been far from the case.”

Now Dundee risk pleasing no one. Their supporters are torn, with many aghast at the way the club has been drawn into a battle over the future of the game. Some are supportive of the club’s stance but struggle to see what there is to be gained.

Nelms is reportedly genuinely concerned for the plight of those he knows will potentially fall through a trap door on his say so. He wants a greater distribution of monies to go to relegated sides such as Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer.

There’s even been talk of friendlies offered – involving who precisely, who can say? It’s a long time since Dundee could consider themselves anything approaching box office.

If not Dundee, then who is he proposing plays in these friendlies? Who has authorised Nelms to go to these clubs offering these enticements? A torch is required to illuminate some dark and shady corners.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Perhaps it will come in the form of a court case. Such extreme measures cannot be discounted.

The most informative part of Dundee’s six paragraph statement was the disclosure that, “over the past few days, we have entered into various positive discussions with reconstruction at the forefront of these”. Again, discussions with whom, it’s not clear.

If Dundee have approached teams such as Thistle and Stranraer to suggest there could be a greater cash grab for them if the Dens Park club complete an about turn and vote for the SPFL’s resolution, as it seems they were set to do yesterday, then who is giving them the green light to offer such seeming sweeteners?

Thistle’s intervention appears to have halted the Dens Park club’s volte face for the time being. But then this isn’t Dundee v Partick Thistle. It’s a struggle that potentially touches all 42 clubs in Scotland – and beyond. It’s a struggle that could bring the entire house down.

Comments

 0 comments

Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.