Long-awaited plans to create a permanent training ground for Aberdeen Football Club at Bridge of Don have fallen through at the eleventh hour.
Negotiations have ceased between the club and Aberdeen University over proposals to create the club’s training home at Balgownie Playing Fields.
First team players have split their training commitments between the site and at least two other grounds in the city for many years, with a permanent base judged to be long overdue.
The club came second in the SPL this season and are now competing in the Europa league.
In a major step forward, the club lodged its outline proposal to develop part of the land with city planners just a fortnight ago with students to share the site.
But a surprise announcement yesterday confirmed that the club would pull out of the university site by the end of the season.
The development was described as “disappointing” by both parties.
A joint statement said plans had been “discontinued” because the land was not able to cope with demands from both the club and university.
The statement said: “As plans have progressed, it has become apparent that the combined usage demands will be too great for the facility to accommodate and as such it has been decided to discontinue the proposal for shared facilities.
“The University will continue to use Balgownie as one of its main sporting facilities and the current usage of the site by AFC, AFC Youth Development and AFCCT will remain for the rest of this season as per the existing agreement with the University.
“Aberdeen Football Club can also confirm that it is investigating potential opportunities for training facilities at alternative specific sites within the area.
At present, the club splits its training between Balgownie, Albyn School sports fields at Milltimber and Robert Gordon University land at Countesswells.
In late June, the club lodged early proposals at the Town House for three grass football pitches, two artificial pitches, an irrigation system, overspill car park, grounds man accommodation and floodlighting at Balgownie.
Both AFC and the university refused to comment on whether the club was to buy or lease part of the playing fields.
Councillor Sandy Stuart, who represents Bridge of Don, said: “I think this have taken everybody by surprise. We were all starting to move towards the reality of AFC training at the Bridge of Don. I would have been a great spot for people to come and watch them. It is disappointing.”
Amanda Barber, chair of Pittodrie Bar Supporters Group, said it was time for AFC to have its own training ground.
She said: “They just chop and change training grounds all the time. All the big clubs have their own training grounds where they can go every day, where everything is set up perfectly for them. Aberdeen needs that. They also need a new stadium.”