The amount represents the figure donated during 2009 from the various lotteries run for the benefit of the new Youth Academy and the Under 19's professional team. At present DUDA organise the 50/50 half-time draw, any Super Draws and of course the weekly lottery.
DUDA Committee consists of;
Chairman – Ewan Allerdyce
Secretary – Jim Laing
Committee Member(s) – Stephen Simpson
Some of these future stars are pictured above from left to right: Michael Lee, Ross Smith, Ryan Dow and Dale Hilson, together with Youth Director Stevie Campbell, DUDA Secretary Jim Laing and Junior Academy Manager Ian Cathro.
DUDA in its present form has been in existence for many years and is a progression from the original Dundee United Sportsman’s Club formed in the summer of 1956. The Dundee United Chairman at the time was Ernest Robertson and it was with his prompting that the founder members of the Sportsman’s Club went to Nottingham Forest, the team that first introduced the concept of fund raising this way.
Seeing for themselves how the English side operated their Sportsman’s Club, Dundee United’s was set up along similar lines and for a shilling (5p) weekly, members participated in Taypools, the first such venture in Scotland. In the years since, substantial sums have been raised to assist Youth Development at United.
Youth Development is the corner stone of progress at Tannadice and Dundee United Development Association exists with the primary aim of raising funds for this purpose through the Tannadice Lottery, 50/50 Half Time Draws and Super Draws.
Members of the Tannadice Lottery and everyone who purchases 50/50 tickets or Super Draw tickets are all helping the youth of today become the stars of tomorrow.
Garry Kenneth is a prime example of what can be achieved. Here is a local boy and United supporter who progressed through the Jim McLean School of Excellence, to United’s Youth side by the age of sixteen and was a first team member less than a year later. Garry has now represented the club in two national cup finals and has recently been called up for international duty.
Of the current squad, David Goodwillie, David Robertson, Johnny Russell and Keith Watson have come through the system. Ryan Dow, Ross Smith and Dale Hilson have already made their first team debuts this season. Look out for goal-scorer Scott Allan along with the attacking flair of young midfielders Ryan and Ross McCord making appearances in the future too.
Lots of excellent Scottish football players have started their careers at Tannadice and thanks to the contributions of our members, our youth set up will continue to generate a steady stream of talented youth players.