At the end of August, we invited all supporters to have their say in naming the training pitches at the club’s new £12 million state-of -the-art Community Hub, Professional Training Campus and Youth Academy at Cormack Park, including the Bobby Clark Football Academy.

With the opening of this dynamic and inclusive football and community facility just a week away the Club can now reveal which players you, the Red Army, have chosen to have a training pitch named in their honour.

Following on from the announcements earlier this week that pitches will be named after Teddy Scott and Willie Miller we can now reveal that Neale Cooper will also receive the same recognition.

Born in India but raised in Aberdeen, Neale made 220 appearances and scored nine goals. His full debut for Aberdeen came against Kilmarnock on 11th October 1980 at 16 years of age and he remains one of the Dons youngest ever debutants. Affectionately nicknamed ‘Tattie’, he won nine trophies with his boyhood club including the European Cup Winners Cup.

Commenting on the announcement the family of Neale Cooper said, “Thank you for this wonderful tribute to our Dad; he would be very proud and honoured.  We hope it will be a place that young local talent can develop, improving future footballing generations.’

Almost 7,000 supporters cast their votes throughout August in what was a very tightly contested poll and we appreciate everyone taking the time to play their part in the new development.

This engagement with our supporters marks the start of our ‘Pittodrie-fication’ of the new facilities, and the club will embark on a comprehensive consultation process as we look at various innovative ways of incorporating more of our heritage as the project develops over time.

AFC Commercial Director, Rob Wicks, said: “This is an exciting milestone for the club, and it is crucial we retain as much of our heritage as possible in our new home. We want to hear ideas from fans about how best we can recognise our history and Club legends at the new site.

“Working together with the club’s Heritage Trust and Hall of Fame committee – which includes the likes of Willie Miller and Richard Gordon – every effort will be made to ensure we recognise all those who have represented this great club with distinction throughout its history.

“Some initial ideas that have been suggested include a club museum, statues of famous players, a Memorial Garden and incorporating the famous granite façade from the Merkland Road end at Pittodrie.”

The further three recipients will be announced by the club in the coming days ahead of the official opening of Cormack Park on 31st October.