Cormack ready for journey as man at helm of the Dons

Dave Cormack knows the size of the task he is taking on in becoming chairman of Aberdeen.

Even though he spends most of his time in the United States, the 60-year-old regards himself as an Aberdonian through and through.

He can recall his first game at Pittodrie in 1967 and extol the virtues of managers and players past and present.

But it is not the Dons’ rich history which has convinced him to step into the chairman’s seat at Pittodrie – it is the future of the club he loves which now occupies his thoughts.

He grew up watching Aberdeen become a force in Scottish football. He worked for the club during a difficult period of cost-cutting in 2000 and 2001 when he worked as chief executive.

He has helped source the funding for the £13 million training ground which bears his name, Cormack Park, since returning to the club as director and until recently, vicechairman.

But the greatest challenge lies ahead in keeping the club competitive while he tries to find £40-£50m in funding for a new stadium at Kingsford.

It’s the responsibility which comes in his new role as chairman but Cormack insists he is ready for challenge of replacing Milne at the helm but knows from his predecessor he cannot do it alone.

He said: “For me, this club has been on a journey for 116 years. Stewart has had 21 years of that journey.

“He did what everybody else did in the late ’90s, and the fans wanted to do was speculate to accumulate and then he was part of the fundraising to bring the money back in.

“He is a very honourable guy who has done is best and will continue to do his best. It is not about Stewart, myself or any one person it is about us as a group, with fans and shareholders to try and push this club on.”