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Speccy Thompson Skimming Off The Top?


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The Arab Trust supporters group have outlined their concerns at the running of Dundee United, stating their belief that over £500,000 has been paid to "unnamed third parties" as a result of recent player sales.

A statement published on Thursday expressed the group's worries over the management of the Tannadice club, including issues over planned season ticket price hikes, chairman Stephen Thompson's shareholding in the club and debt management.

"Despite numerous meetings between 15th January and 26th March with members of the board of DUFC, the general manager and the first team manager, we remain worried as to how our club is being managed,"it read.

The group also expressed their "shock" that in excess of £500,000 had been paid to "unnamed third parties" following the recent sale of Ryan Gauld to Sporting Lisbon, Andrew Robertson to Hull City and Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven to Celtic.

Concerns over Thompson's investment in the club - stating that the chairman's input is nearer to £3.5 million than the £5 million previously believed - and the level of debt being carried by Dundee United - and the way that debt is being repaid - were also outlined.

A meeting with the first-team coaching staff did little to allay the Arab Trust's fears over the management of the Terrors.

"Although Jackie spoke very well and gave his vision for taking the club forward again," the statement continued, "the meeting did not provide us with any comfort as to the overall management of the club."

The group expressed their hope that changes will be made before the next meeting with the Dundee United board.

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Perhaps explains why they were so desperate to sell their two best players to the the team they were playing a month later in a cup final. Must be gutting for the Dundee Hibs fans who have seen their best talent sold and watch half that money going towards buying a team in Australia and a large proportion of the rest being taken out the club by chairmen.

Oh well. What a shame.

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Jackie McNamara is the third party allegedly. Two players sold to his former club and he gets commission. What could possibly go wrong.

If that is true, that is absolutely shocking. Shocking as in despicably low moral behaviour, not as in suprising. If these allegations are correct, then McNamara has to be sacked immediately and both individuals will surely be in front of the SFA for bringing the game into disrepute?

Nah of course they won't, silly me I forgot that rule only applies to Rangers.

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It's a bit shitey but it's his club and he can do as he pleases with the money. His family have put millions in over the years. Didn't they Oystons who own Blackpool lift about ten million out when they were in the EPL?

Blackpool made major profits in the epl, united swapoed debt for equity with rich locals because speccy couldn't fix the problem

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http://www.<No links to this website>/sport/football/football-news/dundee-united-admit-jackie-mcnamara-5455565

Dundee United admit Jackie McNamara DID get a bonus for sale of star players

McNAMARA chose to clear the air over his bonus entitlement after Record Sport revealed fans' anger that he gets a cut of profits from the sale of players such as Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven.
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Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara {C} {C} {C} {C}
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DUNDEE United last night admitted Jackie McNamara does get a bonus out of Tannadice transfers.

The club came clean after Record Sport this morning revealed fans’ anger that the United boss is entitled to a cut of profits from player sales .

A joint statement from the ArabTrust and the Federation of Dundee United Supporters Clubs claimed more than £500,000 of payments were made to third parties following the exits of Andy Robertson, Ryan Gauld, Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong which banked the club more than £6million.

Record Sport learned a portion of the funds were due to be paid to the management team but chairman Stephen Thompson refused to divulge details of his manager’s contract due to confidentiality concerns.

But McNamara has chosen to clear the air and admit he is entitled to a bonus from player departures – but he takes no part in the transfer dealings.

A United statement said: “The manager has now specifically waived his right to confidentiality and requested we clarify publicly that certain bonuses are payable in respect of player transfers but that he plays no part in any transfer negotiations.

“This remains the responsibility of the chairman and the board. All bonuses are capped and properly monitored.

“It is important to note that the manager has not received bonuses anywhere near the highly misleading figure of £500,000 stated publicly this week.

“It is also worth noting that since January 2013, the club’s overall debt has been reduced from £5.6m to £2.65m to date and is projected to be further reduced to some £1.4m later this year on the receipt of the next scheduled receipt of transfer income.”

Alan Harvey/SNS Group 13676349_30-01-13%20TANNADICE%20-%20DUND
Stephen Thompson, Jackie McNamara and Simon Donnelly

The ArabTrust and Federation of DUSC were fiercely critical of the running of the club and in particular the decision to cash in on Mackay-Steven and Armstrong to Celtic on deadline day – just weeks before the sides clashed in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals and League Cup final.

United were beaten heavily in both and the fans declared war on Thompson after being angered at the departures and then details of McNamara’s deal.

But last night the Tannadice club moved to clarify the contract.

They insisted Thompson has the final say on all transfers and it’s McNamara’s remit to source players, develop them and move them on for a profit.

The statement said: “The club engaged Jackie’s management team in January 2013 with a clear mandate to develop and play young talent in the first team. This mandate was in line with our strategic objective to reduce the overall debt at that time by successful trading in the transfer market.

“We sought a candidate who was more likely to develop and take the opportunity to blood young players in the first team rather than recruiting experienced players.

“The manager’s basic remuneration package was reduced considerably, replaced instead by a performance-based contract, with several bonus initiatives, which included developing young players into actual transfer targets.

“This way the club drove down management costs and engaged a forward-looking management team whose income would only increase by achieving results. This practice is well established throughout the UK, particularly in England where transfer markets are a substantial incentive.

“The club has consistently positioned itself as a club that will sell player(s) if that sale is to the benefit of the club and, we believe, the club remains the best platform in Scotland for the development of young talent, to the mutual benefit of the club and players alike.”

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