DUNDEE United chairman Jim McLean is set to anger supporters further by snubbing an offer from a millionaire businessman to buy shares in the club, writes Keith Sinclair.
Mr Eddie Thompson, who owns the Dundee-based grocery chain Morning Noon & Night, wants to buy the 900 shares of Balloch-based estate agent John Murray, who is in the process of selling them back to the board.
Doing so would give him a 7% stake and make him the largest shareholder behind Mr McLean, who has 27%.
However, Mr Thompson has apparently been privately warned by Mr Murray that any attempts to invest in the club will be rejected by the board, despite Mr McLean saying only last week that he would welcome outside investment from United supporters. Mr McLean yesterday refused to discuss the matter.
When The Herald mentioned that Mr Thompson had written to the board offering #55 a share, Mr McLean said: ''Has he? Are the shares available? I have no comment to make on the shares at all.''
Mr Thompson had not believed the time was right to bid recently because of an apparent ''building up of acrimony'' between him and the United board. ''The fact, however, that 7% of United's shares became available again this week produced an opportunity which was too important for me to let go.
''A lot has been said recently about United looking for people who could invest in the club while also having the best interests of the club at heart.
''I have been on the executive of the Dundee United Business Club since its inception and have contributed in various ways to the income and well-being of the club.
''I would hope therefore that the board would look favourably on my request for these shares.''
The action group calling for club changes, United for Change, will try to mobilise backing for their campaign at a rally in the city tomorrow. They want the 12,000 unissued shares in the club to be made available.
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