Aberdeen City Council begins hunt for contractor to build third Cruyff Court football pitch in Tillydrone

By Cameron Roy

November 24 2022, 2:13 pm

The Tillydrone pitch will mean Aberdeen is the only city in the UK to have three Cruyff Court pitches - alongside London. Image: Bram Berkien.

Aberdeen City Council has begun looking for a contractor to build the city’s third Cruyff Court football pitch in Tillydrone.

The facilities are the brainchild of the Johan Cruyff Foundation, a legacy of the legendary Dutch footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

Around £350,000 has already been invested by local authority chiefs in the existing two sites.

Cruyff Court Denis Law opened five years ago at Catherine Street and its popularity led to Cruyff Court Neale Cooper opening in Tullos in November 2019.

The council is now looking for a contractor to carry out a similar pitch build in Tillydrone from February 20 to May 12 next year.

Council co-leaders Alex Nicoll of the SNP (left) and Liberal Democrat Ian Yuill (right) at the site of the Tillydrone Cruyff Court. It's to be named after former Dons skipper Willie Miller (centre left) and is funded by the Denis Law Legacy Trust. David Suttie (centre left) is a trustee of the charity. Image: Wullie Marr/DC Thomson. — Left to right: Council co-leader Alex Nicoll, Denis Law Legacy Trust trustee David Suttie, Willie Miller and council co-leader Iain Yuill at Tillydrone in August. Image: Wullie Marr / DC Thomson.

It will be named after Aberdeen’s greatest ever player, as well as former manager and director – Gothenburg Great Willie Miller.

In July 2021, the plans for the pitch near the new Riverbank School in Tillydrone were given the green light.

Altough the new school building has been delayed until at least summer 2024, the football pitch plans are still going ahead.

Contractors invited to build pitch

No price for the pitch has been stated on the publicly available tender proposal.

But it does say works will involve building the pitch to the correct specifications and installing fencing, flood lighting, various street furniture and landscaping.

Potential bidders have until December 16 to apply for the work.

Cruyff Court Neale Cooper opened in Tullos in 2019. Aberdeen. Image: Bram Berkien.

Pitches reduce anti-social behaviour

There are currently more than 250 courts in around 20 countries around the world taking part in the Johan Cruyff Foundation scheme.

Aberdeen’s two Cruyff Courts are operated by the Denis Law Legacy Trust who run weekly sessions for youngsters at both sports hubs.

They say a growth in attendance at sessions correlates with a reduction in anti-social behaviour among young people in the area.

Due to Tillydrone having 24% of its population under the age of 16, in comparison to an Aberdeen wide figure of 14%, council planners believe providing them with activities is important for the community.

Aberdeen’s two Cruyff Courts have been hailed a major success. Image: Bram Berkien.

The creation of a third Cruyff Court in Aberdeen means the city will be only the second city behind London to boast three courts.

Alexander McLellan, the SNP councillor for Tillydrone ward said: “I am pleased to see the project moving to the tender stage as the Cruyff Court Willie Miller is going to be a massive asset to the young people in Tillydrone and beyond.”