Aberdeen Football Club was last week represented at the fifth European Stadium and Safety Management Association (ESSMA) Summit at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto.

Over 375 representatives from various football clubs and other sporting bodies attended seminars on a variety of topics that included stadium operations, fan experience and development of facilities.

AFC Chief Executive, Duncan Fraser, was one of four speakers at the summit in relation to new stadium developments and provided delegates with an update on plans to integrate training and stadium facilities on one site, explaining the advantages that such an approach can offer the club and the wider community. 

When asked about his experience at the event Duncan said, “It was a great privilege to be invited to give an update on our plans for the new facility and explain how integral their completion will be to our overarching strategy as we strive to become a UEFA Top 100 club.

“Our plans were well received by the various attendees and it was great to have the opportunity to get feedback and discuss best practice with some of the biggest clubs in European football such as FC Schalke, Feyenoord and also Liverpool who are developing a brand-new training facility.

“The feedback largely re-affirmed that we are going in the right direction and that when we have a completed stadium and training facility on one site we will be the envy of many club’s throughout Europe.”

Work is currently underway on Phase One of the planned development of a brand-new stadium, training facilities and community hub. The 24.5 hectare site will include sporting facilities, a football academy comprising outdoor pitches, pavilion and ancillary buildings, and a 20,000 capacity stadium along with museum, café and hospitality areas.