Commercial
2024 CORPORATE GOLF DAY
16th May 2024
Mr Tony Davidson has today resigned as a non-executive director of Dundee United Football Club, warning it would "wholly inappropriate" for disgraced ex-chairman Jim McLean to return to Tannadice as a director.
A respected banker with considerable experience in the city, Mr Davidson said : "I joined the Board as a businessman, a financier and a United fan - not a bit part player in a local soap opera.
"I am fed up with the needless spat which could have been avoided had the so-called gang-of-four been prepared to sit round the Boardroom table in a businesslike and dignified fashion. What is happening is very damaging to morale. There was a very good team spirit and atmosphere around Tannadice until last week. What we are seeing now however is value destroyed, not created.
"I think this is both very sad and needless."
Mr Davidson said he would continue to give his fullest support for the way in which the current directors are running the club.
"They are doing a good job and any suggestions to the contrary are without foundation," he continued. "They are professional, conscientious and focused. They know what needs to be done and in my view and with my input would have delivered the necessary changes.
"The cost control procedures in the club are highly effective and the financial information and monthly accounts are every bit as good as you are likely to find at Rangers or Celtic. The commercial and admin staff work to a very high standard and the efforts of the manager Alex Smith and his coaches are tremendous.
"The directors - unlike some others - are interested in the club for its own sake and not just the value of their shares. It is Dundee United who will be the loser if they are forced out."
While acknowledging Jim McLean's contribution to the club over two decades, Mr Davidson said the nature of the incident of October 14th 2000 meant it was "wholly inappropriate" for Mr McLean to return as a director. Commenting on the financial review he had recently begun at Tannadice, Mr Davidson continued : "I have had preliminary and informal discussions with a leading firm of stockbrokers which was positive and encouraging.
"They have identified a number of household name companies who would be interested in discussing with the club business partnership opportunities as well as taking a modest stake in the club. They have also identified an appetite from some key individuals to become involved and viewed favourably a wider offering of shares to supporters - something I feel strongly about myself."
Commenting on why he had chosen to resign rather than be voted off the Board at an EGM Mr Davidson said:
"I am very much my own man. It is not in my nature to wait for others to make decisions about my future. I shall do what I think is appropriate in my own way and my own time. I will continue to offer the current directors my fullest support and will be at Tannadice regularly to cheer on Alex and the boys."
A respected banker with considerable experience in the city, Mr Davidson said : "I joined the Board as a businessman, a financier and a United fan - not a bit part player in a local soap opera.
"I am fed up with the needless spat which could have been avoided had the so-called gang-of-four been prepared to sit round the Boardroom table in a businesslike and dignified fashion. What is happening is very damaging to morale. There was a very good team spirit and atmosphere around Tannadice until last week. What we are seeing now however is value destroyed, not created.
"I think this is both very sad and needless."
Mr Davidson said he would continue to give his fullest support for the way in which the current directors are running the club.
"They are doing a good job and any suggestions to the contrary are without foundation," he continued. "They are professional, conscientious and focused. They know what needs to be done and in my view and with my input would have delivered the necessary changes.
"The cost control procedures in the club are highly effective and the financial information and monthly accounts are every bit as good as you are likely to find at Rangers or Celtic. The commercial and admin staff work to a very high standard and the efforts of the manager Alex Smith and his coaches are tremendous.
"The directors - unlike some others - are interested in the club for its own sake and not just the value of their shares. It is Dundee United who will be the loser if they are forced out."
While acknowledging Jim McLean's contribution to the club over two decades, Mr Davidson said the nature of the incident of October 14th 2000 meant it was "wholly inappropriate" for Mr McLean to return as a director. Commenting on the financial review he had recently begun at Tannadice, Mr Davidson continued : "I have had preliminary and informal discussions with a leading firm of stockbrokers which was positive and encouraging.
"They have identified a number of household name companies who would be interested in discussing with the club business partnership opportunities as well as taking a modest stake in the club. They have also identified an appetite from some key individuals to become involved and viewed favourably a wider offering of shares to supporters - something I feel strongly about myself."
Commenting on why he had chosen to resign rather than be voted off the Board at an EGM Mr Davidson said:
"I am very much my own man. It is not in my nature to wait for others to make decisions about my future. I shall do what I think is appropriate in my own way and my own time. I will continue to offer the current directors my fullest support and will be at Tannadice regularly to cheer on Alex and the boys."
