Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has sent out another plea to the Scottish Government to allow football fans back into stadia after Aberdeen FC revealed that current restrictions have cost the club over a third of its annual turnover.
Aberdeen released data on Friday that brought the football community crashing back to earth after the jubilation of Wednesday when the nation finally reached its first major tournament in twenty-two years.
Aberdeen FC estimate matchday revenue is down over 80 per cent and the club is projected to lose over £5m of turnover (over a third of the clubs overall income) due to the restrictions on fans not being allowed into stadiums.
Commercial director Rob Wicks, who released the information, said on the Aberdeen FC website: “It’s sobering to see our overall matchday revenue is down 82 per cent and we are projecting a loss of £5m over the rest of the season, which simply isn’t sustainable.”
Hospitality vs sport stadiums
“Witness the unregulated, hopefully isolated, mess Thursday night.”
It is perplexing to many that bars, restaurants and cafes are allowed to host customers – inside – whilst football, even with offering to host matches at reduced capacity – outside – has a blanket lockdown on fans attending games.
Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has been a vocal champion of allowing supporters to return after two test events (one in Aberdeen in August and two in Dingwall) have gone off without a hitch.
Cormack’s vociferations have risen after the scenes that were recorded on social media showing total disregard for social distancing at an Aberdeen city centre bar after Scotland beat Serbia on penalties to go through to the delayed Euro Championships next year.
Cormack was scathing of the scenes on twitter, saying: “Witness the unregulated, hopefully isolated, mess Thursday night.
“Where’s fairness to restrictions? The highly regulated tests we’ve pulled off should be no surprise to Jason Leitch (National Clinical Director, Scottish Gov) who told clubs outdoor fresh air events were more palatable than indoor events.”
Cormack has again pleaded for discussion with the Scottish Government on the proposal of fans returning to stadiums.
Cormack tweeted: “It’s sobering to see our matchday revenues down 82 per cent. What Scottish football needs is urgent dialogue, encouragement and a plan to get fans back safely.”
Further articles:
-Cormack calls for discussions with government as Aberdeen FC lose £4m due to pandemic
-Aberdeen beat Hibs to cement third spot in the league: Reaction
-Bayern Munich beat BVB in thriller of first ‘Klassiker’: Match report
-Tribute to Ebbe Skovdahl who passed away in October
PB Devco boss Stuart Clarkson, who owns the bar in question, released a statement two days after the scenes in his premises saying he apologised unreservedly and his company were working with police to try find out what went wrong.
The statement on the company website read: “Having seen the videos I am shocked, disappointed and saddened.
“We truly hoped and believed we could provide a safe way for customers to enjoy this crucial match and that we could do that within the existing regulations.
“I will now be carrying out a thorough review of what went wrong and what steps we have to take to prevent any such repeat incidents. We will also comply fully and assist any reviews or investigations by the police, Aberdeen City Council or the Scottish Government.”
“Football without fans is nothing”
Even though Jock Stein’s famous words were uttered over sixty years ago, never have they rang more true than today.
Voices from in and around football have pleaded for fans to return.
Highland League secretary Rod Houston pointed out how important fans are to clubs, no more so than in the HL where all revenue comes from gate receipts and hospitality.
Houston told the P&J last month: “The bottom line is clubs see the ability of spectators to attend games as essential not only for the revenue they generate, which is vital for clubs, but there’s a community aspect.”
Chief executive of Inverness Caley Thistle, Scot Gardiner, was disappointed even though his side were granted supporters to come watch ICT.
The Caledonian Stadium is situated in a tier one area of the country so was permitted three hundred fans to watch the Championship clash against Raith, the first match back after the international break.
But Gardiner wasn’t overly impressed with the figure and is confused why fans can’t sit outside socially distanced at a football stadium, but go indoors to pubs and restaurants.
Gardiner said: “It’s March 10th since we last had fans through the gates, but other industries are allowed to have great numbers indoors and we’re outdoors.”
Aberdeen’s all time appearance record holder Willie Miller has been waxing lyrical on the airwaves about supporters being allowed to watch their teams, saying it would be for the good of the nation in these trying times.
Dons legend Willie Miller told BBC Sport Scotland: “We’ve got to try and get some normality back and I think football would be a great example of being able to lead us out this disaster we’re all going through at this moment in time.”
Harry Jamshid Reporter Sports Pages 