To those who do not know me, I previously founded and co-ordinated the Red Ultras supporters group between 1999 and 2010; which created all the displays and colourful flags that were displayed at Dons games during that time.
I called it a day as the direction in which the group had gone lately meant it simply was not enjoyable anymore and not worth the hassle that it had become.
Since the announcement to disband the group Dons fans from around the world have contacted me and have been encouraging me to try and keep the displays going if at all possible. I have also met fans in person who have said they were proud of displays, such as the 'One Love' & 'Stand Free' displays, and that they and their kids also loved being involved in the colour and passion it brought to the Dons fans at Pittodrie.
I admit the RU made some mistakes along the way but I have learnt a lot from those mistakes and felt that the only way to correct this would be to disband the Red Ultras.
At the same time I also know that we created something very special indeed and it would be a real shame to just throw it all away.
The team needs as much inspiration as possible and the feedback I've had over the years indicates when the fans show their passion on the terraces the players respond more positively.
I would like to invite all Dons fans, supporter group reps, fan forum organisers etc to a meeting to discuss future displays and to touch on the issue about how we can improve the atmosphere at Aberdeen games, primarily at Pittodrie to encourage the team to get 3 points each match day.
This letter is going out to thousands of fans and if going forward you really want to help the displays to continue and be a part of bettering the atmosphere then please come along to the meeting.
If it's not for you then that's fine, thanks for taking the time to read this letter.
Initially the idea for this new project would be to have one or two fan reps from each of the supporters groups, to attend meetings throughout the season along with individuals not affiliated with any group who were interested in being involved to get a direction sorted out and to get things moving with a view to starting things live on the terrace at the start of the 2010-2011 season.
At these meetings we would discuss which fixtures we want to put on a large displays at, what designs we would like to see used at these games.
I feel this way all the fans would have some input into future displays and as a result of this I feel it would represent what the fans wanted to see. I would also like to re-introduce the young fans behind the goals that used to wave the flags every time we scored at Pittodrie.
The agenda at the meeting would be open for everyone to voice their ideas and opinions on encouraging the team and improving the atmosphere and fund-raising for creating the displays at games.
Moving forwards these meetings would also be a great opportunity to discuss and raise issues facing the Red Army and we can take these issues forward to the club in a reasoned and structured way speaking as one voice.
With more fans on board helping to make Pittodrie a more colourful and positive place the better it will be for all concerned attending Dons games.
So if this is something you would like to help make happen then please reply to redarmy12@hotmail.co.uk voicing your interest and a will to get involved, from this we can look to sort out a suitable date for a meeting with a view to starting displays from the 2010/2011 season.
This is OUR CLUB and we should all get together and help make the future a positive one.
