Dons chief promises exciting football to get fans back OPEN THE GATES OF DEL
DAVE CORMACK has promised to re-energise the Red Army with “attacking and exciting football” after revealing he is slashing Pittodrie’s capacity because crowds are down.
The forward-thinking chairman outlined his vision for the Dons with a new strategy that bids to make the Dons a genuine “challenger club”.
Cormack has conceded season tickets and general attendances have fallen in recent seasons and they need to get more fans through the gates to kick on again.
The software tycoon and his associates have put around £14million into Aberdeen in his time at the club and accepts to go to the next step they need more backing from the supporters – new and old.
Cormack has introduced a number of initiatives, including the Red Shed, which will be rolled out next season to attract more supporters – but he knows the main driving force will be again making Pittodrie a fortress under Derek McInnes.
The Aberdeen chief, who has reduced the stadium’s capacity from 20,000 to 15,500, said: “Our philosophy on the park is attacking and entertaining football.
“For the vast majority of the time Derek has been here we’ve seen that.
“Derek’s been frustrated and so have the players. You can’t ignore the fans – if you’re down 1000 season tickets, which we are, then it’s a data point.
“That doesn’t mean to say our philosophy and goals are any different.”
The club plan to reduce the capacity by closing the top tier of the Richard Donald Stand. The Merkland Stand will be turned into a permanent Red Shed and the family areas will then be moved and fan areas will also be trialled.
Cormack added: “The reducing of the capacity is 100 per cent about atmosphere to see what we can be. We can get 13,000 season-ticket holders.
“We vacillate between nine and 11,000 season-ticket holders – we’re at 10,000 just now which is about 1000 down on the last couple of seasons.
“With nine wins out of 23 at Pittodrie it’s frustrating for everybody. But the idea is to give the fans the upper section of the Richard Donald Stand and let them decorate it.”
Aberdeen have admitted they’re looking to increase their season tickets by at least 1000 for next season and want to drive up their AberDNA memberships which will be vital for raising additional revenues for McInnes and his team.
Cormack said: “People are surprised season-ticket income is £2m and we’re spending £9.5m on the football operation.
“It was £7m two years ago. Cormack Park costs £750,000 a year. Most fans get it, that we’re
If you’re down 1000 season tickets, then it’s a data point
DAVE CORMACK
investing. We’re losing money but it’s planned.
“The 13,700 seats that are for home fans would accommodate every home game this season. We had less than 10,000 Aberdeen fans in the stadium for the Celtic game.
“For us it’s about taking a step back to take a step forward, so we can get data on what the fans want to see.”
There have been a few ups and down this season – with form at Pittodrie being a truly sore point for fans.
But Cormack believes we are now seeing the true potential of McInnes’ new-look side as injuries have started to clear and new arrivals finally find their feet at the club.
Cormack said: “It’s been a frustrating season at home for a period of time.
“As far as I’m concerned the cup is half full. We’ve got a great group of players. I will say this for Derek, he doesn’t have any prima donnas in there.
“It’s a good group of guys in that squad who are totally behind him. We’ve seen better performances in the last few weeks.
“I don’t think that it’s inconsequential with players being healthier.
“Funso Ojo is coming into his own now. Dylan McGeouch hasn’t played many games but he had a good game at the weekend. Matty Kennedy has been a good edition. We’re in a fortunate position where we’ll able to put out a quality squad.
“I think it’s a case of taking a deep breath, looking forward, the cup’s half full, we’re still in the semi-final of the Cup, and we’re on track in the league.”
Cormack also insisted that nobody puts more pressure on manager McInnes than himself.
He has taken flak from some supporters recently but
Cormack has given him his 100 per cent backing.
The Dons chief added: “I’ve ran a lot of businesses over time. I’m 61 now, I know a lot more than I did when I was here 20 years ago.
“A lot of that is down to listening to people, giving them space if they need space and asking, ‘What is it you need?
“How can I be helpful?’ That led up to the transfer window as well.
“Derek has said it’s been a frustrating season. Nobody can put more pressure on Derek than himself.
“There are times at night when I’m in the States when I’ve sent Derek an email at 11pm – so that’s four in the morning here.
“When I wake up at 7am I’ve got a reply because Derek is already in at Cormack Park working on stuff.”