Staff back

Aberdeen Football Club’s #StillStandingFree campaign, set up to help fans in the wider community through the coronavirus crisis, has reached one of its main goals.

In 12 weeks, the dedicated calls team set up by the club and AFC Community Trust has spoken to more than 12,000 fans as part of a mass outreach programme to check-in with people during lockdown.

Calls initially prioritised elderly and vulnerable fans and then continued on to reach out to fans of all ages and circumstances.

Nicola Graham, project manager for the trust’s Dementia Friendly Project, has been a comforting voice on the phone for hundreds.

“Many of them are in their 70s and 80s and living alone,” she said.

“While some have contact with family members, having someone different to talk to means a lot.

“It’s an opportunity for them to chat about whatever they want and a lot of them want to talk about football, of course.”