STATEMENT FROM SPORTING DIRECTOR TONY ASGHAR

I want to extend my personal thanks to the majority of the United support for their continued support at both home and away games, however, over the last week there has been a number of rumours and allegations being spread throughout the Dundee United fan base that I am forced to address.

At a time when the team, the Club and its supporters are on a positive journey to achieve our long term goals, I am deeply disappointed that a small section of fans are trying to throw shadow over the great work that is being carried out in all areas of the business.

I would therefore like to clarify the facts around some of these rumours.

Dundee United FC, Owners, Board of Directors, Executive Team, Staff and Players fully understand that the history and traditions of United are a fundamental cornerstone to our success and the achievements of the players and staff during our history continue to and will always hold a special place within Tannadice.

The Executive Team has met with the Dundee United Business Club on several occasions where we explained that the Club wanted to improve the stadium tour and museum in order to maximise both the customer experience and revenue but also display the Club's history in a deserved setting as the current setting does not represent our history in the best manner.

In order to do the above, a full inventory of items, including ownership, loan agreements and item values - all required for insurance review purposes - was requested. Officials from the Club offered to make themselves available any day of the week after 4pm, any matchday that there wasn't a game or any Sunday in order to complete this task jointly. We were advised that DUBC representatives were unable to make any of the offered time slots. We have since received a request from DUBC to remove all their items from Tannadice and have now been further advised that a member of the DUBC offered items back to ex-Players.

I want to make it clear that nobody on the Dundee United FC Executive Team or Board gave any instruction to hand back any donated items and rumours that we have removed ex-Players items from the walls recently is a misrepresentation of facts. We did remove all Scotland shirts from one of the lounges during renovation work over two years ago. This highlighted to us that we had to look at making the museum a bigger area to ensure all items were displayed instead of being placed in storage.

I have also personally initiated plans to start a former players' association to support ex-players and coaches during illness and any other financial hardship they may suffer and we will report more on this in the future.

I would now like to refer to personal allegations made by an ex-Dundee United player via social media relating to myself as I cannot allow this unfair defamation of my character to continue as it is an untrue representation. It was claimed that I do not respect the Club legends and do not acknowledge them, this is completely unfounded and false. I not only have the utmost respect for them but also fully appreciate how integral they are to our Club going forward.

I have known most of the aforementioned legends long before I came to Dundee United FC and hold them in the upmost respect.  I speak to Maurice Malpas quite regularly as an example. We are meeting with the Club Ambassadors soon to discuss how we can enhance their roles at the Club. This isn't a reaction to recent speculation but has been planned since our meetings with DUBC.

I find it disappointing that I and the Club have to react to rumour and innuendo on social media and this is something we don’t do lightly but in today's world, disrupters will use any tool to try to unsettle. We use the tagline United Together and while the vast majority of stakeholders want only the best for Dundee United there remains a small minority who wish to disrupt. I want to make it clear today, within the Club and the wider United fanbase, we aim to be together in pursuit of our goals and if anyone wants to unfairly attack any individuals (Club, partners and fans), we will defend ourselves collectively. I personally will not allow my integrity to be questioned  or allow any of the Club representatives to be subject to unwarranted abuse or fabrication of truths.

As a Club, we welcome constructive criticism and challenges to decisions made. We work hard to foster our relationships with the fan groups, season ticket holders, partners and all other stakeholders and we continually look to improve those relationships. I do not believe this statement will stop the false statements that are put out there but I call on United supporters to challenge not just our decision-making but the decisions and comments of those who see themselves as self-appointed auditors of the Club's actions.

On a positive note, I again stress that the majority of supporters' good wishes have been excellent. The team has started the season well and we know we need to continue to improve all areas to have a Club that our community and supporters can be proud of. We remain committed to building stronger relationship with all stakeholders while Dundee United continues our innovative evolution.

This will always be at the forefront of our vision along with our proud history and we will celebrate both in the years ahead as together we pursue success.