No to newco paying off at box-office
On Thursday night Dundee United announced that they’d be voting against newclub Rangers being invited to join the SPL.
Thompson had previously described the vote as a lose-lose situation but is already seeing evidence that he made the right choice.
Despite uncertainty over the Sky television deal and whether Charles Green can actually put a club together the Tannadice club are starting to look forward to the new season.
It was a similar story at Tynecastle following Vladimir Romanov’s outspoken opposition to Rangers which has given other clubs the conviction to speak out and follow the wishes of their biggest sponsors- rank and file supporters.
Thompson admitted to the Daily Record: “If a club fails to listen to its customers then it dies, it’s as simple as that. Without our fans’ full backing Dundee United dies in five or six years.
“We stuck our heads above the parapet when we went public and some other clubs might have to be put under pressure before they will do the same.
“There’s a feeling of anxiety about Sky TV and whether they’ll walk if Rangers aren’t in the SPL next season.
“The new, five-year deal we have with them isn’t signed yet but I’m also looking at the knock-on effects of taking a stance on the newco vote. I spoke to people at Hearts and they’ve noticed an immediate uplift in ticket sales after Vladimir Romanov’s statement that he couldn’t back Rangers’ right to stay in the SPL.”
Thompson added: “I turned on my computer and there were messages from fans of all sorts of clubs saying well done for coming out and making United’s stand a matter of public record.
“On my way out of the ground to go for a quiet coffee I also met a fan who said he wasn’t going to buy a season ticket if we had approved a newco but was now getting four.
“The past few months have been stressful on a personal basis.
“I like to think I’m thick-skinned but you have to be concerned whether the fans will back the board after we’ve made our decision on the game’s biggest issue.
“It’s a big risk and you don’t take these matters lightly.
“There’s a feeling that you want to do what’s right and a realisation that doing the right thing brings with it a huge financial pressure. It was a massive decision for us to take and a tough one as well.
The blow of losing Rangers could be compensated for United by the arrival of neighbours Dundee in the SPL with the Dens Park side or Dunfermline likely to be promoted from Division One.
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