Dundee reveal pitch improvement plan as Rangers fiasco sparks 'considerable investment' in Dens Park surface

Plans are in place for Dundee to fix their problematic pitch over the summer.

The Dark Blues have seen FIVE Premiership fixtures postponed this season, which led to an SPFL fine of £186,000, £120,000 of which is suspended until the end of next season. Just over £36,000 of that was to reimburse Sky Sports after a crunch clash with Rangers was twice postponed, and to cover the cost of UEFA pitch specialists, who were consulted over the soggy surface.

Now the Courier reports that the Dens Park club will undergo extensive work over the summer to fix the problem once and for all. Dundee are set to plough a six figure sum into pitch works, that will be more than the entirety of the SPFL penalty they were hit with. They are set to get to work immediately after the Premiership season comes to an end against Kilmarnock on Sunday May 18.

The hope among club chiefs was that Tony Docherty's side would be away from home on the final day in order to get going sooner. While the work is set to take some time, the Dee are confident that it won't affect the start of the 2024/25 campaign, although hosting Premier Sports Cup group stage matches may prove tricky.

However, the Dark Blues still hold out hope of securing European football next season. They are battling St Mirren for fifth place, which would be enough for a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifiers next term. If they achieve that, then the Premier Sports Cup issue disappears.

Euro qualification would also see the club given more time to get the pitch up to spec. The second qualifying round takes place on 25 July and an away draw would afford an extra week's grace for the pitch improvements.

As for what is actually involved, specialists will dig down beyond the current undersoil heating and the newer drainage system already in place to examine the older one and identify any issues with that. If found, these will be fixed before installing a new system then relaying the earth, sand and soil that sits beneath the grass on top. A new groundsman is also set to start work before the end of this season after predecessor Paul Murray moved across the street to Dundee United.

Dundee general manager Greg Fenton explained: “We as a club know we’ve had difficulties with the pitch and we can only apologise to the supporters of our club and other clubs for the issues we’ve faced. We have apologised to the league.

“What we have done from the early part of last season is employ contractors and a number of consultants who have given us recommendations in relation to the pitch. We’ve taken their advice on and over the past couple of months they have drawn up plans to help with the drainage issues at the Scot Foam Stadium.

“The work will start in May straight after the Kilmarnock game. It shows the investment from the owners in the club and the commitment that we have given to Dens as a stadium.

“We also have to satisfy the league requirements to make sure this doesn’t happen again. You are talking six-figures easily. It is a serious amount of money being put into the pitch and it isn’t far short of a full revamp.

“It is a considerable investment being put in.”