A group in favour of Aberdeen FC’s proposed new stadium, training and community complex at Kingsford has urged the public to trust the club and authorities over any safety issues.
Concerns have been raised by the No Kingsford Stadium group about supporter segregation and potential violence and clashes between rival fans in and around Westhill before and after matches against the likes of Celtic and Rangers if the proposed stadium is built at Kingsford.
However, Westhill For Kingsford – the organisation set up in March to “represent people silently in favour of the development” – believes the Dons and police will be able to resolve any problems as they progress the scheme.
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Its spokesman, Mike Forbes, argued the public should have faith in the club to deal with any concerns and claimed fan segregation for matches against Celtic and Rangers might be easier at Kingsford than at Pittodrie, the Reds’ current home.
He added: “I would absolutely say to people, ‘trust the Dons and trust the authorities’ because this is an issue that they will take seriously.
“This is obviously such a big issue that, should planning permission be granted, plans will be put in place to deal with it.
“I think it would be easier to control fan segregation in an area like Kingsford.
“It’s a more controllable area because a lot of the visiting supporters will travel by coach.
“It’s going to be very clear visiting coaches will go into the stadium complex and they won’t be parked on the roads around the stadium like they are at Pittodrie.
“That should make it easier to ensure any troublemakers are contained and clashes don’t occur.”
Mr Forbes acknowledged it could never be guaranteed there would be no incidents at the proposed stadium, but stressed any problems would involve a tiny minority of supporters.
He added: “Social disorder is just not acceptable, but you can never guarantee that there won’t be some idiots who go along to the game and cause trouble.
“With any incidents, you are talking about a handful of people – maybe five or six people out of 20,000 – so we need to remember that and not blow it out of proportion.”
