EVERY CROWD HAS A SILVER LINING

Aug 17 2005

BOOM TIME IN THE SPL; Gates on rise as SPL sides cash in

By Euan Mcarthur

EDDIE THOMPSON was among the thousands of Dundee United fans who savoured the European exploits in the 80s. On the park, things couldn't have gone much better for the team as they defeated Barcelona and Borussia Munchengladbach on their way to reaching the UEFA Cup Final of 1987.

So why are fans now rolling up at Tannadice in even bigger numbers than when the club were challenging some of the great names in European football?

Just three games into the new season and there are already signs of renewed hope among Scottish clubs outwith the Old Firm as they seek a return to the days when they could offer a genuine challenge to Rangers and Celtic.

Thompson's United are a club with high expectations and their season-ticket sales have risen an astonishing 22 per cent since the end of last season.

And that's despite finishing only ninth in the SPL table last season when the threat of relegation hovered until the final day of the season.

Whether it was their side reaching the Scottish Cup Final last season or the attractive prices, United are one of those clubs where sales have risen considerably along with Edinburgh rivals Hearts and Hibs who have sold a record number of season tickets And Thompson is relishing the optimism among the paying public who sense the Old Firm are now at their most vulnerable.

The United chairman said: "I appealed to the fans along with Derek Robertson after the Scottish Cup Final against Celtic.

"I asked all those who had been to Hampden - we had about 17,500 - not to just come out on the big occasions. There are always those who will drop away but in general it seems to have had the desired effect.

"When you consider we only finished ninth last season, our sales have risen by 1500 which is very encouraging. We've drawn 11,000 more in our first two games which can only augur well.

"It's great for all the provincial clubs that the crowds would appear to be on the up and that season-ticket sales have risen.

"It makes me very proud that this is our highest ever number of season-ticket holders."

Thompson's United hosted leaders Hearts who left Tayside with a 3-0 win to maintain their position at the top of the SPL.

Hearts are also benefiting from a growing feelgood factor sweeping Tynecastle as Vladimir Romanov provides the financial muscle to strengthen a side already containing no fewer than seven summer signings.

Thompson has every admiration for Romanov and his plans to split the Old Firm.

He said: "I admire Mr Romanov. We spoke to him for several months about the possibility of coming on board at Tannadice.

"But we're happy to say we can look after our own business and most people know it's now a family board we have in place.

"It's still my gut feeling the Old Firm will prevail come the end of theseason.But it canonlybegood for the game there's a challenge from outside - competition has never harmed anyone."

Thompson will never forget the days when his beloved United went to Glasgow fully expecting to return home with a victory.

During the 1983 championship-winning season, United's 3-2 win at Parkhead was deemed the turning point in that campaign with only a few games remaining.

But can Hearts or anyone else hope to reach that level of consistency required to have serious aspirations of lifting the SPL title?

Thompson said: "In 1983 when we won the league championship, we would go to places like Parkhead and Ibrox and win on a regular basis.

"In fact, the supporters went through expecting to win never mind draw. It meant they enjoyed going to Glasgow because results were quite often in our favour"If we're taking Hearts as an examplebecausethey'retopofthe table, I think they've the makings of a good side. But they're still some way from going to Glasgow and winning regularly which is still the measure of any team."

With crowds on the increase andhavingputalmost£2.5million of his ownmoney into United, the only thing missing is a winning teamon the park.

Progress to the lucrative group stages of the UEFA Cup would guarantee more money, through both gates and television.

Thompson knows the fans appreciate his efforts but he knows they must fulfil the expectations to make it all worthwhile in the end.

He said: "The Hearts result was disappointing but on the one hand it was great to see such a big crowd. It tells me the fans are behind me when it comes to buying season tickets.

"But it's like anything else.We've still go to get results on the park or else it won't add up.

"Fans are attracted to a winning team and that's what every club strives for - hopefully we can bring a few more fans to Tannadice

Taken from the Daily Record