A “small group” of young fans have caused nearly £10,000 damage to a stand at Pittodrie – putting a scheme designed to boost the match-day atmosphere at risk.
Aberdeen FC has written to all season ticket holders after discovering the vandalism in the Red Shed following last week’s game with Rangers.
Seats have been damaged, along with toilet areas and exit gates.
The Red Shed is a space with unallocated seating for up to 2,000 fans which aims to improve the match-day experience and atmosphere, and was set up in partnership with licensing authorities and police.
But club bosses have warned a small group of 15-20 fans, who repeatedly attempt to bring flares into the stadium, are jeopardising the shed’s future – with the authorities asking for a meeting to discuss the issue.
In an e-mail sent out to all season holders, club bosses said: “Letting off pyrotechnics in an uncontrolled way is dangerous to all fans – it also carries the very real risk of being banned or arrested.
“This behaviour from a very small minority is now causing concern to the point where the club has been asked to meet with licensing authorities and the police next week.”
Rob Wicks, AFC’s commercial director, said the Red Shed has helped attract a younger support base to the stadium.
He said: “The overwhelming majority of fans in the Red Shed are well-behaved but around 15-20 young fans, out of 2,000, have caused significant and deliberate damage to the stadium, including seats, toilet areas and exit gates.
“There have also been persistent attempts by this small group to bring pyro devices into the stadium for a number of matches this season.”
‘We must nip this in the bud’
Due to the unallocated seating arrangement in the Red Shed, the club has had to write to all season ticket holders in the stand to make it clear they will not tolerate such behaviour.
The club is also appealing for help in identifying and “weeding out” the offenders.
Mr Wicks has warned that if the issue is not resolved, they may need to reconsider the future of the Red Shed.
He said: “We are working closely with the police and our stewards to identify and crackdown on the culprits.
“We want the atmosphere in the Red Shed to continue and flourish but we must nip this in the bud before it becomes a bigger issue and we are forced to reconsider this initiative.”