FEDERATION TRAVEL

A number of Federation of Dundee United Supporters' Clubs are running coaches to the pre-season game versus Hull City at the KC Stadium on Saturday 31 July. Both the Banter Bus & Frank Kopel Travelling Shindig buses are now full, but there are a number of places still available on both the A90 Arabs & Arctic Arabs buses. These are priced at £70, which includes accommodation in the Holiday Inn Express, Hull City Centre, on the Saturday night.

Departure times from Dundee are 0330 (Arctic) & 0600 (A90) on Saturday, with pre-match arrangements at a club situated just minutes from the away end for travellers. On the Sunday both buses will depart the hotel late morning, with a late afternoon return to Dundee the ETA. For more information contact Mark McMahon (Arctic) 07875-217469 or Shug Falconer (A90) 07931-888732.

The Emerald Isle Arabs are currently busy organising hospitality for Arabs heading to Belfast for the Glentoran friendly at the Oval on Saturday 24 July, watch this space for information soon.

Member clubs are reminded that Federation subscriptions are now due and forms are available by contacting the above numbers, or by emailing markmcmahon83@hotmail.com.

 

FEDERATION AGM

The Federation of Dundee United Supporters' Clubs held their AGM in the Snug Bar last Saturday with Chairman Shug Falconer presiding. After thanking the committee members and going through the usual formalities, Shug paid tribute to everyone at United for the best season on record since 1983. He complimented Peter Houston on the way he had turned the season round after some bad results following the loss of Craig Levein. The good relationship with the Board continues to flourish and the Fed is regularly consulted in matters relating to the fans. The support, both home and away, were also praised by the Chairman and he expressed optimism for the future.

There will potentially be more all ticket games this season and Federation affiliated clubs will be amongst those given priority. New clubs Ziggy's Away Squad and the Shakespeare Bar have recently joined and a group from Burntisland and Arabs Down Under are likely to follow soon. Shug stressed that any other clubs wishing to become affiliated have until 3rd August to register and pay their £10 fee. Other clubs are also reminded to get their fees paid as soon as possible.

Although not a fund raising organisation, the success of the Player of the Year event at Piperdam allowed a donation of £600 to UfK and a further £630 to the Youth Academy. Another £670 went to the Youth Academy from the proceeds of the successful Centenary Quiz.

The existing committee was re-elected (Chairman - Shug Falconer; Vice Chairman - Scott Innes; Secretary - Mark McMahon; Treasure - Barry Cairncross; Committe Members - Kara Griffiths, Barry McHugh, Paul Sheehan, Andy Crichton & Neil Jardine.

With the pre-season matches now confirmed Shug advised that around 50 members are planning to travel to Belfast and for the trip to Hull around 200 will be going down by bus.

Words by Steve Gracie, Arabest Publishing.

Federation of Dundee United Supporters' Clubs United for Kids

A web page has been set up via www.Justgiving.com so that anyone who wants to donate to the worthy United for Kids cause can do so through the UfA charity and thereby earn Gift Aid for every £ donated. Please give as much or as little as you can and help kids who would not normally be able to see football get a season ticket for free. So please dig deep and donate now.

FEDERATION AGM

The Federation of Dundee United Supporters' Clubs held their AGM on Friday 28th August to form plans and objectives and to elect a new Executive Committee for the new season. Last term saw membership rise to a record 24 affiliated clubs and a further three clubs joined on the night, namely the Emerald Arabs (Ireland), Black Watch Arabs (3rd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland) and the `seemples` named Meerkcat Arabs.

Any pubs/clubs interested in becoming affiliated should contact Scott Foran for more information.

At committee level John Kettles (SAS), the long serving Neil Clark (East Angus), George Locke (Wee Jims TA) & Bryan Orr (Glenrothes) relinquished their positions and were thanked for all their efforts. Kara Griffiths (A90), Billy Hoon (0845 Arabs), Neil Jardine (FKTS), Mark McMahon (Arctic) and Paul Sheehan (SAS) were elected on to the new Executive to fill the quorum.

Member clubs voted unanimously to join the FSF (http://www.fsf.org.uk/) thus becoming the first Scottish supporters organisation to do so, with the body currently representing only English & Welsh fans. Hopefully many more Scottish groups will follow likewise to encourage more say on fan related matters across all the UK borders.

Re-elected Chairperson Shug Falconer (A90) closed the meeting by thanking all groups/individuals who contributed to the £1300 raised at last May`s Player of the Year function at Piperdam (with a special mention to The Cundeez whose superb set was volunteered fee free). This enabled all proceeds to be split between United for Kids and the Dundee United Youth Academy.

FEDERATION AGM

The Federation AGM will be held in the Snug Lounge, Dundee on Friday 28th August at 7.30pm.

Nominations for all positions will be welcome on the night. We hope that most if not all clubs will be able to attend.

 

FEDERATION DONATION TO YOUTH ACADEMY

Following a request from the Dundee United Youth Academy the Federation have made a donation in the sum of £650 for the purchase of Polo Shirts for all squad members in the Youth Academy Teams. The monies were raised from ticket and raffle sales at this years Federation Player of the Year Dance so a big thank you to all who attended to make this donation possible.

Federation Chairman Shug Falconer is pictured handing over the cheque to Dundee United Chairman Stephen Thompson in the boardroom at Tannadice.

 

FEDERATION MEMBERSHIPS - FINAL CHANCE

Could any club that wishes to retain its Federation membership please have their fees (10 quid) paid by the full Federation meeting on Thursday 19th March.

 

2008/09 PLAYER OF THE YEAR DANCE

The Player of the Year Dance has been confirmed for Piperdam on Sunday May 3rd. Tickets are priced at 10 quid per adult and 5 quid for the bairns. Entertainment will be provided by the Cundeez and a very biased arabian DJ. Buffet will be Stovees and Oatcakes. Transport will hopefully be provided to and from the venue from Dundee. I would be obliged if member clubs could confirm their numbers by the Full Federation meeting on 19th March as seating is limited and there were a few complaints last year from folk who never got a seat.

 

JERRY KERR MEMORIAL TROPHY

We intend to run the Jerry Kerr Memorial Trophy as a five a side Tournament this season to get more interest in the competition. It is hoped that we can run the competition over one day near the seasons end and we are trying to see if the Club will allow us to use Tannadice for the event. So far 11 teams have been entered, so get your numbers in before the end of March.

 

FEDERATION FULL MEETING / Q & A

The full meeting of the Federation of DUSC will take place in Club 83 on Thursday 19th March at 6.45pm. This will be followed at 7.30pm with a Questions and Answers Session with Craig Levein and Stephen Thompson. As ever, all Federation Clubs are invited to attend and a good turnout would be appreciated. Please note that there is not a restriction on the amount of members per club that can attend so we can hopefully fill the place for what has certainly been, previously, a great, no holds barred , night.

 

NINEWELL'S DONATION

The Federation of Dundee United Supporters Clubs made a Christmas Gift Presentation to the Childrens Ward at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. The Fed handed over 6 TV/DVD Combis along with various DVD's which included some excellent educational material!!!

The gifts came courtesy of monies raised at the Federation POTY Dance held at Piperdam in May of this year and also from donations made by the Fed's 24 member clubs.

The gifts were very well recieved by the hospital who thanked the Fed for their very kind donation.

Fed members and nurses pictured at the handover are (from left) Sasha Cochrane, Barry McHugh, Mark Dorward, Jeanette Fitzgerald, Scott Innes, Barry Cairncross, Norma Colford. Front - Johnny Kettles, Scott Foran.

Photo courtesy of www.j-pix.co.uk

 

CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE

Arabs,

Tomorrow will soon be with us, the day we lay our much loved Chairman to rest. The Federation of Dundee United Supporters Club`s Membership will be represented at the Funeral by Neil Clark (East Angus Arabs), Mark Dorward & Shug/Elaine Falconer (A90 Arab Society), Scott Innes (Frank Kopel Travelling Shindig) and Bryan Orr (Glenrothes Arabs). Wendy Rae from the United Mad website has also been invited to slightly even up the gender representation.

A steady stream of Member Club flags/banners is arriving daily at Tannadice to help enhance Saturday`s atmosphere in what is sure to be a fitting tribute from our support to Eddie`s memory. We trust the players will do likewise on the park.

Prior to the the new Committee for this Season will hold it`s first meeting since the AGM on Thursday 23rd October at 1930 in the Snug Bar. DUFC Director Derek Robertson will be an invited guest. If any Clubs have any relevant questions/issues they wish raised/discussed on the night then feel free to contact our Secretary Scott Foran at scott.foran@ogilvie.co.uk

Minutes and matters arising from AGM will be available shortly. The sad events of the recent week has put things very much on hold hence the delay,

Arabest,
Shug

FLAG DISPLAY AT ST MIRREN GAME

As a tribute to Eddie and to add to the "sea of tangerine" requested by the Thompson family, the Federation are gathering together as many Supporters Clubs' flags as possible for the match against St Mirren this saturday. If you've got a flag you would like to add to this tribute, please get in touch or hand the flag into Tannadice before friday.

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2008