Aberdeen FC is proud to be a thriving, community driven football club who aim to have a positive impact far beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch

. We recognise our unique standing in the local community and appreciate the importance of giving something back as we actively engage with the local communities that support and sustain the club.

Here is a small taster of the recent activity that various representatives of the football club have undertaken this past fortnight in our efforts to interact with our local community.

On 22 September 2013, George Yule and Niall McGinn attended the Deveron Youth annual awards at the Banff Springs Hotel where they handed out awards to the boys and girls who play for the club. Everyone involved with Deveron Youth were delighted to see them both, and Niall has been praised by all the Deveron Youth coaches for the amount of time he spent with the kids (and the adults) who wanted to meet him.

On 23rd September, Head of AFC in the Community Ally Prockter welcomed Kaitlyn Hendry for a visit to Pittodrie. 8 year old Kaitlyn, from Sheddocksley in Aberdeen, has been kick boxing for almost 4 years at the Dragon School of Black Belts (DSBB) and recently performed so well that she won the opportunity to represent Scotland in this demanding sport.

AFC in the Community presented Kaitlyn with an AFC football top and AFC hoody, and she had the opportunity to have lunch in the canteen with some of the 1st team players. She also had her photo taken with Niall McGinn. Kaitlyn was accompanied by her mum Mandy, and her Great Granda Robert Mitchell. Robert who is now 73 has been a Dons fan since the age of 6, and he admitted to being more excited than Kaitlyn by their visit to Pittodrie.

AFC in the Community wish Kaitlyn the very best of luck in all her future competitions.

AFC have offered some coaching sessions to Grampian Strikers Football Team prior to, and after, the yearly visit to their 5 a side tournament during Mental Health week. Grampian Strikers Football Team, is a group is primarily for people with a severe and enduring mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive or anxiety disorders. After 11 years in existence, over 70 people have used the group with some members still involved from the start. Many more have gone on to employment, study and developed thier own independant living.  Community Coach, Scott Anderson, visited them on Wednesday at one of their sessions at Goals Soccer Centre and will be giving them a coaching session next Wednesday.

Russell Anderson and Chris Clarke visited The Scottish Home Show, where Aberdeen FC had a stand, along with Angus the Bull to sign some autographs and chat to visitors. Below, Angus got his photo taken with Tommy Walsh from hit TV show Ground Force.

AFC in the Community hosted an Additional Support Needs Festival, funded by the Scottish Communities League Cup, on Thursday 26th September at Aberdeen Sports Village. This gave Primary 4-7 additional support needs pupils from several schools in Aberdeen City and Shire the opportunity to take part in small sided games and various shooting activities. Lawrence Shankland and Angus the Bull attended the event to help the youngsters with the activities as well as handing out medals at the end. Thanks to Active Schools, teachers, helpers and SFA School of Football pupils from St Machar School for all their help on the day.