Gift has strings

A lot has been said surrounding the perceived generous gift of £50 million from Sir Ian Wood towards the regeneration of Aberdeen city centre and the demolition of Union Terrace Gardens.

I fully accept that the giving away of £50m of one’s own money would normally be classed as a very generous gesture. However, Sir Ian’s “generous” gift comes with strings attached, in that he is having a large say as to how the money shall be spent. Now, if I can introduce an analogy to all this. A rich football fan not involved in the running of a club decides to give a £50m gift to revive the club’s fortunes, but insists that most of the existing players are shown the door and he has full control over which new players come to the club.

This would be viewed with great suspicion in footballing circles. We already see the problems inflicted on Hearts FC by Mr Romanov, who, it is alleged, decides which players are in the team. However, he at least owns the club. Sir Ian Wood does not own the city of Aberdeen. Or does he?

RT Smith

Braeside Terrace

Aberdeen