Fans Project
Fans Project
The Fans Project is an exciting new initiative designed to enhance the matchday experience and to bring fans closer together.
The Fans Project would like to thank everyone that has donated since its launch in the summer and would like to provide an update on what has been achieved so far with the monies raised.
Jimmy Thelin's Premier League Pittodrie Debut
Welcoming our new manager
For Manager Jimmy Thelin’s first home league game the aim was to give the manager and the players a big welcome in front of a large home crowd. Working alongside the club, the plan was to use a 3D Tifo pulley system, which is now permanently installed so we can use this type of activation again in the future.
Local designer and Dons fan David, from Delta Seven designed the sunhat character that was displayed proudly in front of the Richard Donald Stand, and to ensure Jimmy Thelin got a fantastic welcome there was a mosaic in the South Stand in the form of the Swedish national flag.
Donating Match Tickets
Benefiting local charities
It’s not all about adding colour to the stadium, the Fans Project have been able to share the 10 tickets that they were kindly donated by a Dons fan based in Norway.
The following organisations have been able to benefit from the tickets : Changing Room, Middlefield Community Project, Russell Anderson Foundation, Fersands and Fountain Community Project, Children 1st, Friends of Anchor and the Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust.
The Red Shed
The Heartbeat of Pittodrie on Matchdays
The heartbeat of Pittodrie on a matchday is the Red Shed, and at the heart of that are Ultras Aberdeen and they have been fantastic this season both home and away, they have an ongoing fundraiser and a donation was made to them as they look to add more colour into the Red Shed at the upcoming games.
Neil Simpson Celebration Tribute
Marking 35 years of service to the Dons
When the news broke that Dons legend Neil Simpson was leaving the club after 35 years of service the Fans project thought it was only right to organise a fitting Tifo for Simmy. We started fundraising for this and were very grateful to Berriedale Funeral directors for donating their executive box for us to raffle off to boost the fundraising for the Simmy tribute.
At the recent home game against Hearts, along with the Display Teams efforts we had a Tifo spelling out SIMMY in the South Stand which was accompanied with a fantastic banner designed by Dons fan Mark Elrick from Dolly Digital.
The club have been hugely supportive throughout all discussions to date and there’s a fantastic relationship between the club, the Fans Project and the Fan base. We would like to thank everyone who has participated in the stadium displays and donated towards the Fans project.
If you would like to donate towards the Fans Project, you can do so in the ticket office and club shop at point of sale, or via the link below.
Together we are stronger.
Stand Free,
Created to unite Dons supporters in a centralised effort to enhance matchdays, the Fans Project will transform the stadium and matches into a fortress of colour, energy and atmosphere, ensuring every matchday is an unforgettable experience.
The Fans Project will also support activations at away matches for the men’s first team and extend to support the Women’s team and Youth teams for selected matches.
The initiative will work to build an ongoing bank of funds which will be used to support fan groups when planning displays and will add more colour and help create lasting memories around Pittodrie by adding a sense of occasion in each part of the ground.
As well as elevating the matchday experience, the Fans Project will harness the power of the fanbase to support worthy causes in the local community and to celebrate significant moments in the club’s history.
Supporter Experience Manager Stephen McCormick commented, “I see the Fans Project as a real game changer for the Dons support and it is something that has never been done in the UK. It is similar to how a well-oiled European Fan Group is set up, where it helps not only the colour and experience in the stadium, but also families in the community, the youth teams and the women’s teams.
“Over the years fans have kindly donated to ad-hoc requests but there has always been a race against time to get the funds raised and the materials ordered. Having the funds in place will make a real difference, and means the Fans Project can react quickly to ensure the support can be the best it can be!
“With the fans backing, together we can make a difference to the whole matchday experience, as well as creating special moments for fans who struggle to get to games.”
To drive the initiative a committee has been created from across the fanbase, with each member bringing a wide range of experience including involvement with previous displays, supporters clubs, women’s football and family projects in the community.
The committee will work in conjunction with the club to raise funds to enhance the matchday experience.
Chairman of the Fans Project Andy Forbes added, “The purpose of the Fans Project is to make Pittodrie the best experience possible, to maximise support for the team and the create an atmosphere for fans to be proud of.
Aberdeen Football Club means everything to me, it’s what I was brought up with and I am delighted to be part of this committee.
“We have the opportunity to make a real difference here, imagine if 10,000 fans make a £5 donation, that’s £50,000 the Fans Project can use to make a huge impact on the matchday experience!”
How to get involved:
Dons fans can get involved by donating to the Fans Project, which will help provide a true home advantage at Pittodrie on matchdays.
Fans can donate to the Fans Project directly here, or at the point of sale when purchasing merchandise or tickets for home or away matches.
If you have suggestions or ideas you would like to contribute to the Fans Project please get in touch via fansproject@afc.co.uk.
Fans Project Committee:
Jason Harris – Northern Golf Club Supporters Club Secretary.
Erin Grieve – Dons fan based in Edinburgh and solicitor.
Andy Forbes – Dons fan and location director of Wallace Whittle.
Marie MacDonald – Dons fan and nursery manager at Middlefield Community Project.
Daniel Ostry Kurpinski – Dons fan from Poland now living in Aberdeen, a Red Shed regular!
Shona Peattie – Dons fan and secretary of Aberdeen FC Disabled Supporters Club.
Matt Coull – Dons fan behind many Tifos and fan activations, notably the incredible STAND FREE display at Hampden.
Bob Bain – Dons fan and treasurer for the Fans Project, also Treasurer for AFC Heritage Trust, and Managing Partner at Hall Morrice Chartered Accountants.
Mark Russell – A proud volunteer for Aberdeen FC Community Trust, helping to facilitate the SAMH men’s mental health programmes “Changing Room” & “Extra Time”.
Mark Elrick – also known as Dolly Digital, responsible for creating the matchday programme covers.
Ryan Grant – Lifelong Dons fan who enjoy enjoys taking his kids to the Family Area