Jim McLean today broke his silence for the first time since his dramatic week-end resignation as Dundee United chair-man. He challenged long- term adversary Eddie Thompson to put his money where his mouth is and name his mystery backers. And the man who guided United to their greatest victories also revealed he has already had other offers for his family's 41% shareholding in the club, which is now up for sale. After 29 years at Tannadice, Mr McLean quit on Saturday evening following an incident during a BBC TV interview that is now under investigation by Tayside Police. He could not discuss that today, but did turn his attention to Mr Thompson, who has been a central figure along with pressure group United for Change in a campaign to oust him from Tannadice.

For over two years now, Mr Thompson has said he was willing to buy into United, either through purchasing the McLean family shares, or a portion of the club's unissued stock. He has also said there were other big financial players willing to join him in that bid, but until Mr McLean stood down, they were unwilling to be identified publicly. Now that he is no longer chairman and managing director, Mr McLean has strongly argued that Mr Thompson should now reveal the names of those people, if they exist. "What I am saying is you can kid some of the people some of the time, but you can't kid all of the people all of the time. This is certainly the time for Eddie Thompson to put his money where his mouth is, if he has it," said Mr McLean. "It is equally important he conducts this in a professional manner." "On that score he has a start on others, because he knows the lawyers his lawyers have to contact about this. He will have to move quickly, though, because already I've had others expressing interest and who are prepared to do things properly. "And, for the good of Dundee United, I want this matter resolved as soon as possible."

Mr McLean is also keen to see the often-referred-to mystery backers revealed. He has never hidden his belief that they do not exist. "I look forward to seeing their names in the paper tonight, because without doubt this is a chance for Eddie Thompson to prove it has not just been all talk." He did stress his words were not a promise to sell to the Morning Noon and Night owner if he came up with the money - possibly over £1 million - and named his allies. While he is keen to sever all ties with United as soon as he can, he will consider all offers for his shares before making a decision. In doing that, he pledged to put the interests of Dundee United before those of himself and his family. "Do not get me wrong, I will do what is right for me and my family but Dundee United must come first in this.

Any offers will have to be for the good of the club as well as for the McLeans. If it proves to be the case that an offer from Eddie Thompson is best for Dundee United then that would be the one accepted." Responding to the call, it was clear Mr Thompson was just as suspicious of the ex-chairman as he was of him. After being informed of this development by the Evening Telegraph, he immediately instructed his Edinburgh lawyers to make contact with Mr McLean's legal team and ascertain if they were willing to hold serious discussion about the sale of the shares. "I find this a strange way of doing business but I have spoken to my lawyer and he will be taking up this matter," said Mr Thompson.

He did add that in the event of a sale being agreed it would be his own money that was used and therefore he was unwilling to name any backer who could join him at Tannadice at a later stage. ©The Evening Telegraph