The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the trust's articles, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
Our vision is to be the most innovative and impactful football community trust linked to a professional football club, recognised as a key player in sport and community development locally and a strong example of best practice in sport for change.
Our mission is to improve the lives of people in Dundee and the surrounding areas, and we achieve this by delivering a range of activities across our key pillars:
Sport for All
Lifelong Learning
Healthy Lifestyles
The Charity took positive steps in the growth of its activities and in the progression of sustainability plans through building its unrestricted reserves. While the sector experiences several external challenges and we continue to operate in a challenging environment, there are many achievements we can be very proud of as we reflect on the work of the year under review.
We continued to work with the Scottish FA and Scottish Government on the important ‘Extra Time’ project, which provides after-school activities for up to 12 children in Clepington Primary School for the full school year. Not only does the project deliver fun activities for the participants but also supports the wider family unit through respite provision or the chance to extend working hours or source work. The project also runs through the school holidays.
The Charity piloted a new initiative in partnership with Stobswell Forum and Dundee City Council, which saw DUCT employee a Community Development Worker to be based in the Stobswell Connect premises on Albert Street. The project aimed to support local residents to improve their lives through direct local support, and through working with a large variety of local partner agencies; managed to assist an average of 125 residents per month in matters such as money, housing and energy.
We continued to work in close partnership with Dundee United Football Club, supported by a very generous anonymous donor, to distribute a further 600 match tickets, 72 matchday hospitality passes and 54 matchday mascot packages to people in the local community who needed some support.
Our Community Football programme, including our para-sports club, continues to develop well. We delivered our busiest ever day of holiday camps during the period, with 117 attendees attending one of our summer camp days – a fantastic sign of how well our activities are being received.
We were pleased to be invited to a round table discussion with Michael Marra MSP on the topic of wrap around care for disabled children and young people, a reflection of the esteem the Charity is held within this important area of our work. Critically, there was much discussed that will assist in the next stages of development of disability sport within the Community Trust.
Our fundraising activities and income both increased during the year, as part of our long-term sustainability plan. Within the period under review, we successfully recruited 6 ambassadors to work across our fundraising activities and community events, which brought about lots of ideas and importantly contributed to a tangible increase in fundraised income.
Festive Friends continues to be an important highlight of our year, and we were pleased to again work with the SPFL Trust, Dundee City Council, Fareshare, Discovery Flexibles and Regis Banqueting support 330 members of the local community. We have long recognised the importance of this project to those it supports; and extended this area of our work in partnership with Islamic Relief UK, delivering an additional 500 food parcels through the year, with support from Silva Service Catering.
We look forward to continuing to progress the aims of the Charity, and to supporting more people from our local community to improve their lives in 2025/2026 and beyond.
Finally, I would wish to place on record my thanks to Jamie Kirk, our Chief Executive and his staff, who have again produced outstanding performance during 2024/25. I would also wish to thank the members of our Board of Trustees who give their knowledge, experience and time so willingly.
The financial results of the company are set out in the financial statements. Unrestricted funds held at 30 April 2025 amounted to £22,874 (2024 - £13,202). Restricted funds held at 30 April 2025 amounted to £160,008 (2024 - £197,815).
Reserves policy
The reserves policy of the company is to hold around 3 months of the annual budgeted unrestricted expenditure. These reserves are needed in the event of unexpected costs or reduced income. As the charity grows this level will be reviewed and increased. Unrestricted spend for 3 months amounts to £62,506 (2024 - £73,548) . the charity does not meet this at the moment but the Trustees are focussed on increasing this balance in the foreseeable future.
Risk Factors
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the trust is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Dundee United Community Trust is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of Association.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Method of appointment
Trustees are recruited and appointed in accordance with the provisions set out in the charity's Articles of Association.
Organisational structure
The Trustees of the charity are deemed to be the key managers and decision makers and are supported by CEO Jamie Kirk. Trustees are responsible for setting pay and remuneration rates of key management personnel. No trustees received any remuneration for their role.
Policies and procedures for trustee induction and training
There are currently no official procedures in place for the induction of new trustees, however new trustees will be made aware of the aims and objectives of the charity and other relevant information prior to appointment.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The trustees, who are also the directors of Dundee United Community Trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the trust, and of the income and expenditure for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the trust will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the trust and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
I report on the financial statements of the trust for the year ended 30 April 2025, which are set out on pages 6 to 24.
The trust’s trustees, who are also the directors of Dundee United Community Trust for the purposes of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investments (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006(as amended). The trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the financial statements as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the financial statements.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and
to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations;
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Investments
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 9 to 24 form part of these financial statements.
Investments
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 9 to 24 form part of these financial statements.
Dundee United Community Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is c/o Dundee United Football Club, Tannadice Park, Tannadice Street, Dundee, DD3 7JW.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the trust's articles, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended), FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The trust is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The trust has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the trust. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds which have been set aside by the Trustees for a specific purpose.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Transfers are made from unrestricted funds to restricted funds to compensate fully all restricted funds which would otherwise be in deficit at the accounting date.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the trust has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
Grants are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance Sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Company's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
The cost of any tangible assets below £1,000 are expensed in the Statement of Financial Activities in year in which the costs are incurred.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
The trust has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the trust's balance sheet when the trust becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the trust’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the trust is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
In the application of the trust’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Wages are allocated across projects both on a direct basis and a percentage basis. Where salaries are funded, the allocation of wages is direct. For employees involved in several projects, the CEO allocates salaries on a percentage basis.
Donated services and facilities are recognised in both income and expense, at the equivalent value the Charity would expect to pay on an open market. Estimates are assessed for reasonability and compared with open market rates.
There are some costs incurred which are not directly related to the charitable project but are deemed general support costs for the running of the organisation. The Charity have deemed that a percentage of the CEO's salary should be considered a support cost. This application is consistent with prior years.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds which have been set aside by the trustees for an essential spend or future purpose. The trustees have estimated future outgoings for one specific purpose; the value of which has been derived from underlying source documents where available and calculated appropriately based on information held at the year end.
Grants
Total Funds
Total Funds
Youth & Community Development
Investments
Investment income
Fees, charges and commission
Projects and events
Advertising, literature & brochures
Referee costs
Kits, equipment & physio
Venue hire
Travelling
Office costs and telephone
Insurance
Utilities
Training costs
Repairs & cleaning
Sundries
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or expenses from the trust during the year.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The charity has received two grants which relate to activities and expenditure for the financial year ending 31 March 2026.These amounts will be recognised as income in the Statement of Financial Activities during the financial year 2025/26, in line with the related expenditure and delivery of services.
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
The trust operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the trust in an independently administered fund.
Contributions totaling £nil (2024 - £646) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in creditors.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
Staff redundancy reserve
Designated for potential costs relating to staff redundancies.
Lochee Sports and Community Hub
Designated originally to cover capital commitment costs relating to the purchase of portacabins on the assignation of the lease at Lochee Sport & Community Hub however due to other security costs required this has been reassigned to cover the security costs in the year. The Portacabin costs have now been waived.
At the reporting end date the trust had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
SFA Extra Time
The Scottish FA, as part of the Extra Time Fund provided by The Scottish Government for after school and holiday activity schools for targeted primary school age children from low income families.
RS MacDonald
Funding received towards Dundee United Para Sports Club.
Better Breaks
Funding received from Shared Care Scotland for Dundee United Para Sports.
Rank Foundation
Funding the salary and development of a Community Coach
Stobswell Forum
Funding from Stobswell Forum SCIO for staffing costs.
SPFL Trust
Funding for the Kick Off Your Career Programme.
Northwood Charitable Trust
Funding towards Dundee United Para Sports Club project.
DVVA Mental Health Fund
Funding received from Dundee Volunteer & Voluntary Action for the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for salary costs.
SPFL Winter Fund
Funding in response to the challenges facing people across the country this winter.
Bruce Wake (Powerchair Football)
Funding received towards providing Powerchair football.
Scottish Football Association
Capital funding from the Grassroots and pitch fund to contribute to the redevelopment of Gussie Park.
Princes Trust
Funding toward the Get Started in Coaching Programme.
CLD DISC
Employing young people to deliver peer-led divisionary work in the community
Nourish The Nation
Funding to provide free spaces and meals for disadvantaged children during summer.
Dundee City Council - Festive Grant
Funding for celebrations to mark Dundee Festive Season.
Dundee City Council - Common Good Fund
Funding towards Dundee United Dynamos Project.
Lochee CRF Defibrillator
Funding towards the purchase and installation of a defibrillator.
Islamic Relief
Funding for food pack and wages.
Hillcrest Foundation
Funding received for community projects.
Other grants
Includes funding and donations from Tesco and Foodbank.
During the year the trust entered into the following transactions with related parties:
Name of related party: Dundee United Football Club
Nature of relationship: Common associated control
Nature of transaction:
DUCT paid £8,161 (2024 - £30,000) to purchase tickets for distribution into the community.
DUCT paid £2,816 (2024 - £4,712) for kits and strips.
DUCT paid £23 (2024 - £55) for fundraising materials.
DUCT paid £nil (2024 - £1,167) in relation to salaries.
DUCT paid £nil (2024 - £800) for catering and event costs.
DUCT received donations in the form of office space, recognised at market value of £6,600 (2024 - £6,600) in the financial statements.
In 2022, DUCT paid in lieu of a 25 year access agreement for use of the new upgraded pitch and facilities at Gussie Park, which commenced in May 2022. This amounted to £100,000 as an upfront rental payment. This payment has been spread over the term of the lease.
Name of related party: Rank Foundation
Nature of relationship: 1 common director (David Dorward)
Nature of transaction: During the year, DUCT received grant funding from the Rank Foundation of £28,200 (2024 - £22,625) to fund the salary costs of an internship.
Name of related party: Leisure & Culture Dundee
Nature of relationship: 1 common directors (David Dorward)
Nature of transaction: During the year, DUCT paid £nil for rent (2024 - £3,446)
Name of related party: Stobswell Forum Scio
Nature of relationship: 1 common trustee (Colin Clement)
Nature of transaction: During the year, DUCT repaid a grant claw back amounting to £3,648 to Stobswell Forum SCIO. The repayment related to a previous grant awarded last year for £15,000 for staffing costs.