Aberdeen FC chief is out to balance the books
Fraser facing ‘an enormous challenge’
By Charlie Allan
Published: 09/09/2010
DUNCAN Fraser today admitted the way Aberdeen FC’s greatest-ever chairman ran the club will influence him as he bids to get the finances back on track.
The 46-year-old Aberdonian, who was recently appointed the club’s fourth chief executive, described the task of clearing the club’s debts – while ensuring they still field a successful team – as “an enormous challenge”.
Duncan is not ashamed to reveal he has looked back at how legendary Aberdeen FC chairman Dick Donald ran the club.
Dick was on Pittodrie’s board of directors from 1949 until his death in 1993 and was chairman for 23 years.
He balanced the books but also helped deliver the club’s greatest team, the one managed by Alex Ferguson that dominated the Scottish game in the 1980s.
Duncan said: “Things have a habit of going in cycles.
“Some of the things Dick Donald did were right for the time he was operating in. But there are others that have become right for our time again.”