Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin has thanked the club’s supporters for their continued backing despite a cost-of-living crisis.
With prices rising Goodwin acknowledges the sacrifice fans are making to buy tickets and travel to games.
More than 15,000 Aberdeen supporters have packed out Pittodrie for recent home wins.
There was a crowd of 17,035 for the 1-0 home win against Dundee United that sent the Reds into the winter break holding third spot in the Premiership.
Of that crowd, 15,335 were Aberdeen fans with 1,7000 following Dundee United.
In the 4-1 defeat of Hibs on November 4 there were 15,045 Dons fans in a 16,479 crowd.
Last season the average Pittodrie crowd at a Premiership match was 12,274.
The Red Army have also mobilised in numbers for away games this season.
A total of 21,519 Aberdeen fans have travelled to 11 away games this term in all competitions.
That is an average of 1,956 away supporters per game.
The away game average will rocket further as Reds fans snap up tickets for the League Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden.
Goodwin insists no one at the club takes that home and away support for granted and is determined to repay fans’ commitment by delivering success.
He said: “We are well aware as a group of staff and players how financially tough times are for everybody.
“We are very grateful to the supporters for their continued support both here at Pittodrie and on the road.
“There was a crowd of more than 17,000 for the game against Dundee United and just short of 17,000 against Hibs.
“We don’t take that support for granted.
“I think it shows the community of Aberdeen are enjoying what they are seeing.
“Hopefully they will come back in great numbers after the break to get behind the boys.”
🥁 📣#StandFree | #cinchPrem pic.twitter.com/gtWzfZYXLd
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) November 12, 2022
Travelling Red Army out in force
Aberdeen went into the five-week winter break holding third spot in the Premiership table.
They also have a League Cup semi-final with Rangers at Hampden on Sunday January 15 looming.
More than 11,000 tickets were snapped up within 48 hours of the Dons 20,000 allocation for the semi going on sale.
Aberdeen’s away fan travelling numbers per game this season
- Peterhead (League Cup) – 3,112
- Stirling Albion (League Cup) – 1,489
- Celtic (Premiership) – 739
- St Johnstone (Premiership) – 2,799
- Annan Athletic (League Cup) – 1,000
- Ross County (Premiership) – 2,174
- Hibernian (Premiership) – 2,525
- Dundee United (Premiership) – 3,817
- Motherwell (Premiership) – 1,596
- Rangers (Premiership) – 910
- Livingston (Premiership) – 1,358
- Total – 21,519. Average of 1,956 per away game in 2022/23
Aberdeen are in pole position in the race for third spot following an extensive summer rebuild where Goodwin signed 11 players.
The Reds outlaid more than £1.5 million in transfer fees as part of the reconstruction in a bid to bring success back to the club.
Last season the Reds slumped to a lowly 10th placed finish in the Premiership.
‘We should be three or four points better off’
Goodwin says he is “delighted” to be in possession of third spot during the winter shutdown.
However he admits to frustration that the Reds are not further ahead in the battle for third.
Goodwin believes Aberdeen should be up to four points better off.
However with his rebuilt squad only four months on from a major reconstruction he admits he may be “greedy” with that outlook.
He said: “We are delighted with the position in the table.
“That was our short term objective prior to the World Cup break, to be sitting where we are in the table now.
“We also wanted to get to the semi final of the cup which we have to look forward to in January as well.
“However there are elements of frustration when I look at certain games and think we should be three or four points better off.
“But that would probably be me being a little bit greedy because I am sure there are other teams out there that can say the same.
“This is a really competitive Premiership and there is no game you go into expecting an easy ride.”
Plan to fix disappointing away form
Aberdeen have been superb at Pittodrie and have entertained the Red Army in the Granite City.
Goodwin’s side have racked up six wins from seven in the Premiership at home.
The Reds have netted 22 home league Premiership goals, equal with leaders Celtic and second placed Rangers.
In stark contrast Aberdeen have won just two of eight away league matches, scoring just seven goals.
Yet the Red Army continue to travel to away games in force.
Goodwin is determined to come up with a plan during the winter shutdown to solve their away day woes.
He said: “We have done great to pick up the volume of points we have, particularly at home where we have won six of seven.
“On the road we need to improve after the break and that will be the message.
“That is something we are going to work hard on during the World Cup break.
“To make sure our points tally after the break on the road improves.”
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