Aberdeen explore options as stadium plan fails

Plans for a 21,000-seat stadium have been shelved after Aberdeen City Council last week rejected an application for a separate sports complex, which would have been a training base for the Dons and a home for Highland League side Cove Rangers.

Without the alternative access route to their proposed new stadium and car-parking facilities that the Calder Park sports complex entailed, the club have been forced to seek a new location.

After a board meeting yesterday, vice-chairman George Yule said: “The board agreed unanimously that the sensible way forward is for us to explore all realistic options available and that will include sitting down with both of the councils, city and shire, to determine exactly what the current position is in terms of availability of suitable sites.

“Given the way matters have panned out, we have a significant amount of work to be undertaken over, I would envisage, the next four weeks and only after that period, when all the initial due diligence of the alternative options have been carried out, will AFC be in a position to form a more definitive view of what the future is likely to hold for us in regard to stadium re-location opportunities.

“I can also confirm that since last week’s vote we have received a number of unsolicited, but nevertheless welcome approaches from local private landowners wishing to assist the club in its quest for a new stadium.”

Meanwhile, Aberdeen are still awaiting news on the extent of injuries to Gary Naysmith and Rob Milsom but they have good news on Stephen Hughes and Niall McGinn. Left-back Naysmith will be sent for a scan after coming off in Sunday’s goalless draw against Hearts with a hamstring injury.

Milsom is expected to be out for some time but midfielder Hughes could face St Mirren at Pittodrie on Saturday after responding well to treatment for a hamstring strain and Niall McGinn has returned to light training.