TheDonbytheDee

Do you honestly and truly believe that the Council will make money from this deal, if it were to happen? They absolutely should be looking to make gains from this type of deal if it were to go ahead, but they won't, however much spin is put on it, if it happens. The above is based on nothing other than gut feeling and reading of many Councils being done over through this type of partnership. ACC got screwed over on the Bon Accord Centre many years ago, I can't remember the exact nature of the deal, but our tax lecturer used to tell us the story about it, but they were truly stitched up and all done legally. To my knowledge it never made the press, but it must be somewhere. There was also the more recent example of the place at Marischal Square that they lost their arse on. A smaller example of things that can go wrong, but an example nonetheless and also shows that Public money going to private organisations, though whatever means, should be carefully scrutinised to ensure the tax payer gets value for money. My argument here is that there should be enough wealth in this City to have built this damn thing years ago, without the need to take the begging bowl out looking for public money, at a time where the public finances are an absolute midden. The Council can help in numerous ways to get this project off the ground, they could make land available, they could help with roads and surrounding infrastructure, so it all dovetails in to the new stadium. I would also like the club to own the asset of a new stadium. I know it's not in vogue for companies to own large assets now and everything is done to ensure maximum shareholder return. I just believe that if you believe in something as a business, then you should put your money where you mouth is and invest in the bricks and mortar needed to build it and sustain it and for AFC that is our Stadium as much as the team. Anyway, I'm rambling now and going to STFU on the matter, but ats fit I think.

Council build it. Club takes out a 99 year lease against it.

My reply take two. For me, this Stadium is supposedly going to bring a prospective economic gold rush to the City. If it is that great a thing for the City, then why don't the great and the good come together and pay for it. I'm totally aware it won't make money, hence my concern about the Council paying for it. I get that a City or a Town needs good infrastructure to attract and retain businesses, but for me anyway, Aberdeen Football Club Ltd, need this stadium much, much more than our City does. A Hospital, a School and Roads are all good examples of where public money should be spent to bring growth to an area, but not quite sure a fitba stadium fits into to this. We have had Woody stumping up a large amount for a hospital car park. We had the Donalds put £15 million into AFC to wipe out our debt, that was nothing to do with them. I am quite sure that between all the real monied folk in this City, we can surely come up with a way of financing this Stadium, which would remain an Asset for the club for the next 100 years or so. Even get the fans involved in some way. I am sure a few would like to be part of something like this. We were told 15 years ago, by the very same great and the good of this City, that Union Terrace Gardens would have to be concreted over, to keep the City economically viable, or some other mealy mouthed pish. It didn't happen and what the Council did with it has just won an architectural award for it. It is a jewel in our City Centre and I hope that this new foodie place, where the New Market was, brings a much needed boost to Union Street, along with the other improvements being done. I want to see our City succeed, I want to see more positive changes like Union Terrace Gardens as opposed to the not so good Marischal Square, that was an opportunity lost for the City. Could have made a lovely Civic Square type of area with the old Town House complementing Marischal College. I would have knocked down the St Nicholas Centre too if given a chance. I'm certainly not averse to change. When they wheel out people like Martin Gilbert, just like they did with the UTG debacle from years back, it just stinks of the rich folk looking their noses down at the poor relations. I not the most articulated in getting my point of view across, but the whole thing just stinks and our local press seem to be agenda driven, just like they were with both UTG and Marischal Square and of course Trumps golf course in Balmedie. That was a new low amongst the many lows our esteemed Dundonian press.

Likely my phone, it's nae the best. I usually do longer posts on a laptop as easier on my eyes.

Just wrote a very long post in reply, but I got a time out error. Fuck sake, the curse of Ab Mad!

Born on this day 55 years ago, Eoin Jess. Happy Birthday loon. One of the very, very best in my opinion and was a privilege to watch him break through.

Another Saturday and nae Dons match to look forward too.

Is that the foundations of a Stewart Milne build? No wonder they went bust!

Martin Gilbert getting involved in the stadium debate now. Not that this was pre planned or anything. As I keep spouting, why are these very, very rich individuals not providing private funding themselves and help build a long term asset for the club? I mean, if the stadium is such a money spinning asset for the City, then surely these individuals would want a piece of the pie and would want to control it. I'm sure a man of Martin Gilberts background, could have put something together to facilitate this, without the need for public cash.

The Impressions - People Get Ready

Ayr Utd v St Johnstone on the BBC. A cracking game of fitba. Saints down 2-0 and fight back to win 4-2. Played decent fitba too.

I'd imagine over £100 million all in, as these things always go over budget and likely, even if passed, it would take a few years to get it started and inflation will impact the cost.

My Mother was a huge fan back in the day, as I am sure were plenty others. I remember more from the Kids TV series Mr Majieka I just discovered he was gay. Not surprised, as he played the female parts with a lot of enthusiasm, but had never realised he had come out. Married a woman, but it was a lavender marriage. Hard to believe the lengths they had to go to back then to hide their sexuality. RIP

It will happen at some point, through necessity if nothing else. I'm quite happy for the club to build a new stadium, but it has to be in Aberdeen, preferably at the beach or at least somewhere that is workable for all transport needs. I am also a little uneasy about public funds being used to build a stadium for what is a private company, owned by some VERY rich individuals. I am 99% certain if Davie boy gets his wish and gets access to public money to build it, the Council will end up being shafted over it. It's as inevitable as night following day.

Considine is a proper AFC legend. Of course he had shit games, but he was immense in plenty others and he played enough. We also had some real shite in our back four for a lot of his time. I reckon he would have done a great job at any other team in Scotland including either of the the bigot brothers. He was never a left back, but in most games he played at left back he did a sterling job and was only usually found wanting when up against serious pace, but he was fine for the most part in the league. I get we all have differing opinions, but we really never signed much better defenders than Andy Considine during his time with us.

Electronic - Get the Message

You would think that Cormack would be willing to say how much would be needed to build the stadium Surely if they want access to Government funding, then the taxpayers should get to know what they are looking for funding wise, as it's not exactly loose change down the back of the sofa figures required. They will know values required to build this and it should be made public as with all details of exactly what they want. After all AFC are the ones wanting to politicize the debate. I do sympathize with Dave in one respect. Dealing with Christian Allard. The guy shouldn't be anywhere near leading a City Council.

I think it's the same folk doing the report, that provide the huns with the valuations of their best players. Remember Morelos was around £25 Million and not long ago Butland was £30 million and plenty other examples.

I saw a comedy show at the Music Hall called W@nkernomics, which was all about modern business speak and the absurdity of it. I'm sure some on here will be aware of the sort of terminology. Our 'True North' and 'Value Driven Purpose' amongst many types of shyte jargon we are subjected to on a daily basis that absolutely nobody knowing what it means. You can tell comedy Dave buys into it all big time. Just reading his comments in the P&J after this mornings meeting.

Daft Punk - Da Funk

The main story on the Press and Journal site. Final offer to the Council being made today and full of the sort of shyte you would expect from a man who has been brainwashed with the American way. Will he get Trump involved if the council don't back his vision? He is going to go into full meltdown mode if he doesn't get his way. A new Stadium at the beach, really isn't going to help our economy much as it enters a period of rapid decline. The type of jobs they would look to create un the development, would be low waged, unskilled retail/hospitality work. It's a bit like the shyte about how much jobs the golf course at Balmedie would create and they never materialised either. Yes we need a new stadium and I am fairly sure the Council want it too, but the whole politicising of it leaves a very sour taste in my mouth. These talks should have happened about 20 years ago, when the Council were likely to have started looking at the initial beach development plans. They would have likely been able to get access the funding that very rich Dave Cormack and his Billionaire co owners would like access too. As despite it bringing jobs and prosperity to Aberdeen, they aren't quite able to justify putting their own money into this.

Fair play Sir. I was back home at 10:15 and was their to the final whistle. If I stayed outwith Aberdeen I just wouldn't go, as I hate travelling, despise it. I'm lucky that I can walk to Pittodrie, but always doff my cap to folk like your good self and the many others, who put the effort in to go and watch us all over.

Yes, I do wonder if he dispairs at the quality around him and tries to do too much, but that's the level he is at. He does have that kid at school quality, of thinking he can play in every position on the pitch and won't pass the ball, because nobody deserves it. I thought he was going to be a great signing and although a good technical player, I do wonder if we'd be better off sending him back next month.

Thought the referee and linesmen were honking last night. Strange calls made all game. I've been an advocate of taking foreign refs into Scotland fitba, but not quite so sure now. Maybe Strasbourg are just French Huns right enough and the refs acted accordingly.

I thought Karlsson worked hard, but you could see he was closed down every time he had the ball. Same with Lazetic. With Karlsson, a simple pass from him would likely make a difference, but I suspect he will never change that side of his game and why we have him on loan.