Aberdeen owner Dave Cormack has urged fans to help drive season ticket sales up during the 2020/21 campaign.
Since taking over from Stewart Milne as Dons chairman, Cormack has established links with MLS side Atlanta United and unveiled plans to bring the well-liked ‘Red Shed’ back to Pittodrie next term.
The Red Shed will be back. (Photo by Scott Baxter/Getty Images)
Fan engagement is the next area to receive funding. Whilst Cormack says it’s been a frustrating season for Aberdeen, he’s asking fans to play their part in boosting season ticket numbers that will directly benefit what happens on the park, as the businessman details some of the club’s revenue streams.
“Football success is our number one priority,” Cormack told the club’s website. “We are the fifth best supported team in Scotland in terms of attendances and season tickets with the third largest football budget. Season tickets deliver around £2 million a year in income, with walk-ups and away fans contributing £1 million, and AberDNA about £1 million. In total, that’s almost half the football budget.
“We are challenging ourselves to increase season tickets from 10,000 to 11,000 for 2020/21 and drive AberDNA membership to 8,000. My promise is that this income is 100% directed towards the success of the football team.
A call to arms for fans (Photo by Scott Baxter/Getty Images)
“We all agree that it’s been a frustrating season. But the squad is in a much healthier position and, with our new signings, our goal is to provide consistently entertaining and exciting football. We have an excellent crop of young players coming through, having reached the finals of both the Scottish Youth Cup and Scottish Reserve Cup.
“My appeal to fans is this: support us and help us increase season tickets and AberDNA membership. In return, we will challenge everything we do to deliver the best possible fan experience. We’ve got the semi-final of the cup to look forward to, and we can still finish third in the league. It’s all to play for!”
Promising plans
Cormack has presented his credentials as a forward-thinking chairman at Aberdeen numerous times. This plea is the latest statement in a series of moves to improve fan engagement, with Pittodrie’s capacity also set to fall to 15,500 for next term.
Fans are desperate for success. (Photo by Scott Baxter/Getty Images)
On the park Aberdeen are preparing for a big game in the race for third spot. Derek McInnes will take the fourth placed Dons to Motherwell on Friday night, who sit above them in the Premiership table.
A win would see them leapfrog the Steelmen but a defeat could leave them four points adrift of third spot as the split looms large.