First Team
EVERY WORD | JACK WALTON LOOKS AHEAD TO IBROX TEST
21st November 2024
Dundee United Chairman Mark Ogren, other key club personnel and members of the Dundee United Supporters’ Foundation (DUSF) Steering group attended a ceremony today to formally rename the Academy training centre previously known as ‘Gussie Park’ to ‘Foundation Park’.
Alongside the name change, our brand-new 200-capacity spectator stand has also been installed. The seating deck completes the transformation of Foundation Park into a top-level facility capable of hosting Club Academy Scotland (CAS), youth and SWPL fixtures for teams across the club.
Foundation Park has a proud history and affiliation with the success of the club’s Academy programme stretching back over 40 years.
Over the last four years, Dundee United and the DUSF have worked collaboratively in order to enhance the facilities available including:
- A UEFA standard synthetic playing surface
- Upgraded groundwork
- New perimeter fencing
- Our new spectator stand
Upon the landmark occasion, Mark Ogren said: “The club has put significant sums into improving Foundation Park but the donations from the fans via the DUSF have allowed the work to be completed. Their members have always intimated that bricks and mortar projects should be the ethos by which their donations should be judged and I hope all members are proud of the completion of this phase of the project.
“It is a vital part of our Academy strategy that we provide an environment for both training and playing that aligns with our ambition. Through both the hard work and fundraising of the DUSF members, government grants and funds direct from the club, Foundation Park is very much an elite facility, ideally located in the shadow of Tannadice Park.
“We must also thank the various partners and friends of the club who have helped make this project deadline achievable and we genuinely appreciate the involvement of everyone who has contributed.
“The renaming of Foundation Park is an acknowledgement by the club of the efforts of the DUSF members and steering group and will stand as a reminder to all fans that they can have a direct financial contribution to the well-being and enhancement of Dundee United through being a DUSF member.”
Ged Bell, Mike Evans and Martin Manzi gave their thoughts on behalf of the DUSF steering group: ”Our 2,200 members should be proud of the financial contribution they have made to make this project happen. Every one of our members has contributed to the £392,000 that DUSF has provided to fund this project over the past three years.”
“It is important to ensure our club recruits and retains the best young footballing talent. We feel that enhancing this facility in the shadow of the stadium will motivate our future stars. The UEFA-approved 4G surface will also help the club ensure its elite academy status. Our funding of the playing surface, floodlights and the spectator facility also means DUFC Women’s team can play their games at Foundation Park.
“The project also aligns with our founding principles of ‘Celebrating our Past and Ensuring our Future’. The aims of DUSF are to invest in bricks and mortar projects to enhance our club's future success.
“The Foundation has been set up under clear democratic principles so that any projects need to be approved by our members in a formal vote. The funding for Foundation Park was provided after our members voted in favour of the project proposals in three separate votes. DUSF have provided over £500,000 to the club since being formed in 2017.
“DUSF has existed for six years and has grown from an initial group of 50 founding members to the current position where we have 2,200 registered members. If you have not already done so, you can join this vibrant community of Arabs at www.dusf.scot/pledge.
“Thanks again to every single DUSF member, this would not have been possible without your support.”
Subject to safety certification being through in time, spectators can utilise the stand for the first time in the coming weeks as both our U18s and DUFCW play home competitive fixtures.
