This is a topic which is quickly dismissed by fans of both Dundee and Dundee United, as you would expect, their rivalry is one of the most fierce in Scottish Football. Dundee are based on Dens Road, hence the name, Dens Park, with a capacity of 11,200. Their rivals, United, play at Tannadice Stadium which, ironically enough, is located on Tannadice Street with a capacity of 14,209. However, on Sandeman Street, the two clubs are just a few hundred yards away from each other on the same road, making them the closest two venues in British Football.

The topic of a ground-share between Dundee and Dundee United is one that is hotly debated in the ‘city of discovery’, in my view, I think it would be an excellent move for both clubs to share a stadium.

Lets be honest, the stadiums are in hardly great nick, so I think the clubs should come together and make plans for a new stadium that would be one of the best, modern stadiums in Scotland. The example of the San Siro and Olympic Stadium in Rome shows that ground-sharing between rivals can exist.

If you asked me right now, to come up with some ideas for a new “ground” for the Dundee clubs, I’d suggest that they would be looking for a stadium capacity of 25,000, which would allow income from selling tickets to the Old Firm which is likely, the biggest source of ticket income for the SPL clubs. The advantage of ground-sharing, means in the current SPL format, there would be four visits by the Old Firm to the new stadium. Another reason why this is possible, is that the SFA would be looking to use the ground for friendlies if its one of the most modern stadiums in the country. The stadium name is another thing that could offer the two clubs a nice piece of investment because currently nobody would really want to sponsor two grounds that aren’t in the best of condition, however, if we’re talking a new, modern venue, then the chance to sell the rights of the stadium name is something that could be looked into.

Away from the stadium itself, the “ground-sharing” idea offers up oppertunities outside of the stadium including fanzones, public areas, bars, restaurants and club shops. These oppertunities are not implemented at ANY of the grounds in Scotland which annoys me alot. As a Rangers fan, Scotland’s biggest football club, it pains me to say that the club has NO fanzone, NO public area, NO museum and that our ticket-office and superstore are limited. Its probably the same with Celtic aswell, I really don’t understand why clubs wouldn’t want to develop the surrounding areas of their stadium to maximise any income or revenue.

The two managers of the two clubs, Craig Levein and Jocky Scott have said they are in favour of a new shared stadium.

Levein Said, “It would be brilliant for both clubs. I think it would help both enormously.”

“There is too much tradition for both football clubs to just cease to exist and for there to be one team. People have too many fond memories of both clubs. But I would love to see maybe the government funding a shared stadium. A nice new 20,000-seater stadium in Dundee that both teams share would be a fantastic thing for the city.”