Aberdeen Fans Initiative To Reward Sporting Integrity

 Featured, News, Sport  17 Responses »
Jul 092012
 

A group of Aberdeen FC Fans have launched a new initiative to reward clubs and prominent figures in Scottish football who have called for sporting integrity to be upheld in the face of mounting pressure from the sport’s governing bodies for an unsavoury compromise.  Fred Wilkinson writes.

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Aberdeen Fans For Sporting Integrity snowballed rapidly, sparked by a suggestion posted on the Aberdeen-Mad fans message board by forum regular Joe Whimster on Wednesday 4th July.

This followed the announcement earlier in the day that Scottish Premier League clubs had voted overwhelmingly not to admit Charles Green’s Newco to the top flight.

Joe’s proposal was initially to raise £200 to be offered as a gift to Raith Rovers in acknowledgement of their club chairman Turnbull Hutton’s firm public stance against allowing Newco to ‘parachute’ into the First Division.

This figure was to be gifted in the form of sponsorship towards the cost of a player’s strip over the coming season.

It was envisaged that any spin off from the gesture, in addition to fostering goodwill, might stretch to acknowledgement of the group’s support in the Raith Rovers match programme, and a donation to charity.

However, within a mere 36 hours of the group deciding on a name, more than 70 fans had pledged their support and over £750 collected, prompting calls to acknowledge other SFL clubs which have resolved publicly to champion sporting integrity above self interest. At the time of writing, more than £1200 has been collected.

Joe told Aberdeen Voice:

“We have confirmed with Raith that we’ll sponsor their mascot.  I got an email yesterday from Roary Rover himself (well, the guy in the costume) thanking us and praising our position. 

“They have been overwhelmed with the support received from fans across the SPL, specifically Aberdeen fans and it seems they have picked up a considerable financial boost from various contributions.

 “We have also confirmed with Clyde that we will cover a home and away top at a cost of £150

“I was hugely impressed by the communication from Clyde. They are extremely grateful of the support we’ve shown. I am still waiting to hear back from other clubs”

At a time where Scottish football fans in general, Aberdeen fans more than most, have been accused of being driven by ‘hatred’ and ‘bloodlust’ towards Rangers, it is refreshing to see such a positive initiative associated with Aberdeen FC take shape with such momentum and decisiveness, engendering friendship and respect between clubs and boosting charity into the bargain.

As Joe explains:

“I think any remaining funds at the end of our endeavours should go to
the anti-bullying charity, Beat Bullying”
http://www.beatbullying.org/.

“I have also asked Aberdeen FC for information with regards to any community based projects that are currently in need of funds

“As it stands then, we have a balance of £850.  Some of that will certainly go towards sponsorship packages at other clubs but it will already leave a healthy balance for a Beat Bullying donation.”

It is hoped that the clubs which are offered support in recognition of their sense of fair play will return the gesture by highlighting Beat Bullying or donating items to be raffled in favour of the charity.

  • See links below for more information on Aberdeen Fans For Sporting Integrity and how you can contribute.

Blog –  http://aberdeenfansforsportingintegrity.blogspot.co.uk/
Email – aberdeenfans4sportingintegrity@gmail.com.

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Courage And Fortitude Assure Dons Future Says Gavin

 Aberdeen City, Featured, Sport  No Responses »
Jun 252012
 

It has been a turbulent week in Scottish football, not least for our own Aberdeen FC, with the passing of club legend Teddy Scott, and the departure of five board members including another club legend and former captain Willie Miller. Secretary of the AFC Former Players Association and the AFC Heritage Trust, Chris Gavin, one of the five to depart, shares his thoughts with Voice readers.

Pittodrie
“Leaving the Aberdeen boardroom has me filled with mixed emotions. It is a huge wrench because I’m stepping down from close involvement at the very top of the club I love. 

“At the same time it will be quite nice to step out of the direct firing line for a while. 

“To outside observers the five departures from the Pittodrie board will seem to smack of the “Night of the Long Knives” but in fact it is simply the coming together of a number of events and the sole intention is to reinvigorate and strengthen the top echelons of the club.

“There was no bust-up over the Rangers Newco, nor any other dispute on the hurly-burly of Scottish football, and we must look on the change as an opportunity to be grabbed with enthusiasm.

“I can only really speak about my own departure and can tell Voice readers that it was in the works for quite some time. Indeed, my original intention had only been to stay on the board for three years, but the call of the Dons is strong and I was not inclined to step away from the constant struggle to build a stronger club, hence a tenure of almost eleven years.

“Having said that, there is always a right time to make changes and when the subject finally came up in earnest I was very comfortable with it, and having spoken with remaining directors I have stood down confident that we will see Aberdeen FC pushing on and with courage, fortitude and humour, pushing back up to the top levels of the game.

“This ex-director will remain closely involved with helping the club, most importantly helping to keep the influential Supporters’ Forum going and ensuring that the recently-revived road shows continue at a good pace. I am also secretary of the AFC Former Players Association and the AFC Heritage Trust so there is plenty to do and there is always something new to deal with.

“Today came the sad news of the passing of Teddy Scott who, for me, was AFC royalty, and the storm of messages coming and going from the club as so many of us began to come to terms with his loss. We must ensure that we do right by his fantastic career and the influence that he had on so many of us, players and fans alike”.

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