AFC Trust would like to address all Dons fans. We would like to take this opportunity to inform you about some AFC trust concerns and issues and request your support.

AFC Trust

The AFC Trust arose from the AFC Shareholders Association, formed from shareholders unhappy with the way money raised in the shares and rights issues was spent. A total of around £9 million was largely spent on building the Dick Donald Stand, hiring and firing a succession of inexperienced managers and employing underperforming players (remember Bernard and Kiriakov). Team performances were also a big issue and in those days and membership was around 1000.

AFC Trust today

Today, the AFC trust membership has dwindled to around 250, mainly due to the average fan perceiving things are OK. The team is currently third in the league, has a reasonable chance of qualifying for Europe (indicates how our expectations have dropped) and have launched the AFC Youth Academy. Because of this, the average fan just cannot be bothered or motivated to take action, even to voice their opinions. However, we believe all fans should be concerned for the following reasons.

AFC Trust Areas of Concern

AFC Trust believes all fans should be concerned with the situation at AFC for the following reasons:

• AFC are now £11 million in debt
• There are no obvious plans to reduce this debt (other than the sale of the stadium) and interest costs keep mounting
• There are apparently no major investors willing to invest in the club
• The sale of Pittodrie will, at best, only clear the debt mountain in 2011
• There are currently no firm plans for a new stadium
• Successive poor cup performances has decreased potential income
• There appears to be little imagination or enthusiasm to develop non-football income for AFC

On the Positive side

• The club is attempting to operate within it’s means
• The establishment and expansion of the AFC Youth Academy should ensure a regular supply of young players coming through in years to come

What can we do?

The vast majority of fans say and do nothing. However, falling attendances indicate that many are unhappy with the situation, for whatever reason.

There are really two options;

1. Do nothing and hope AFC does not fold or take some positive action. Most fans probably do not realise the influence they can exert, given the right opportunities. With increased strength, we could push for a place on the AFC Board.
2. We can help greatly with the development of the AFC Youth Academy. We all agree it is a fantastic initiative but is expensive to manage and we can help by raising funds purely for youth development, not used to service any debt.

How can you help?

Firstly, to be a credible voice within AFC, we need to increase Trust membership. To encourage this, we propose to reduce membership to £5/year. Existing members will have their current membership extended by one year and all members will pay £5/year from now on. This money is purely to cover admin costs, website, newsletters, postage etc. and is currently around £3000/year.

We ask all existing members to encourage friends, relatives and colleagues to join. Please point out the benefits of having a louder voice for all fans and how harnessing the pride and passion in supporting AFC can only lead to long-term improvement.

However, we also need leaders to make this happen. We need a few fans, committed and dedicated to work towards achieving success for AFC, to volunteer to join AFC Trust Board. Nothing will happen if we sit back and wait. Help us try and restore some pride in supporting the Dons.

Please complete the online survey, expressing your opinion or offering support by email to info@afctrust.com or by mail to the above address. If you have any queries, please call Bill Ellis on 01738 444970.

Click here to complete the online survey.

AFC Trust Board