Speaking personally, I am very pleased to be able to help other people and help the club out in these difficult times.

The deferral was something everyone agreed to.

The manager had different meetings with the Chairman and other people at the club and then spoke to us all. He communicated his ideas very well. We have a group chat and through that, Joe spoke to the players. The players spoke amongst themselves as well.

Overall it was plain sailing. Everyone was in agreement with what we needed to do. It was about doing the right thing and to help the club out as much as we can.

A big point coming from the manager, and something all the players agreed on, was the importance of keeping everyone in their jobs.

From the tea ladies to the first team players, we are all in this together and we wanted to keep everyone in their jobs. As the players were in a position to help out as much as they could, along with some others at the club, it was a no brainer and something that we were all willing to do.

Bond

I have been at Aberdeen for a long time now. Since the first day I arrived I realised above all else how much of a family club it was.

During my time at Pittodrie I have come across a lot of really good people. The staff do everything they can to help the players and we all get on very well.

I still meet people who maybe don’t work at the club anymore, or work just on matchday, and there is still a bond with them. It is like one big family, so it is pleasing that I and the rest of the players have been able to help out.

The club has been great to me during these last eight years, so the least I could do was to help out as much as I possibly could.

From the players, to the manager, to the board and the staff; everyone has come together. It is great that we have been able to do something like this.

The fans have also been terrific.

Many of them have given a lot to the club already over the years, by travelling to games, home and away, and they are helping out now by buying season tickets. As a group of players, we really appreciate the support they have given us in the past and the backing they are giving us now. Hopefully when the football does return, we can also give something back to them on the pitch.

Community

You see all the positive comments and the positive press that we are getting and that is because the club are doing things the right way.

The work that is going on in the community is fantastic, giving out food to those who need, making phone calls to supporters. Everything they have been doing has been tremendous and has helped create a good vibe during these very difficult times.

It is an example of how a club should be dealing with things during these tough times. And I know other teams are running similar projects. Football is nothing without supporters and the community around it.

It is important to send out the right message to the fans by giving good examples of what we are doing.

I know a number of the players have been helping out with phoning supporters. More of the boys will be getting involved in the weeks ahead so the club can do more calls and speak to as many fans as is possible. I am more than up for that as well. If the players can help in any way, they are happy to do so.

I have also been doing little video messages for people, and I was particularly keen to help out and do some for a few nurses and doctors who are working for the NHS. What they are doing is incredible.

Leadership

I think the club has had very good leadership from the chairman, to the manager down to the captain.

I do have some sympathy for Dave Cormack. He has come into the role at a very difficult time. I’m sure it meant a lot to him and his family when he was named Chairman of Aberdeen Football Club as he is such a big supporter. It is his club. But to be in charge during a crisis like this, there is a lot of responsibility suddenly put on his shoulders but he has dealt with that pressure and been on the front foot throughout.

He has done a lot of good work and also put his hand in his own pocket.

He invested in the training ground to make it a reality and he has put money in now to help the club navigate through these difficult times. It is huge credit to him, and his fellow investors. Dave deserves all the praise he is getting at the moment.

Players

All the boys are ok. Like everyone else, it is a frightening time when you see what is going on in the news, but you have to stay positive.

We have got training programmes to be getting on with. We are into our third week of the training. I feel the last few weeks have gone fast.

Over the season, I would have a routine, so it has now been about coming up with a new routine and keeping myself busy. In the morning, we do our exercise and then in the afternoon we do some gym stuff in the house.

I think a routine is important for everyone at the moment, not just footballers. I appreciate everyone is different, many people for example will have young families to look after which maybe makes it harder.
We are all in this together. Mentally it is important to stay right and stay positive.

Recommendations

I have been doing some interviews this week with people back home about Stephen Kenny’s appointment to the Republic of Ireland job.

I am over the moon for Stephen. He was my manager at Derry City in my first season in full time football.

He signed me in January 2008 and helped me massively in those early days, which led to the career that I have had. He put his arm around me and gave me the confidence I needed. He was a great coach as well and I learned a lot from him. He has gone on to have a successful managerial career and has been rewarded with an international manager’s job. From where he has come from, he has done exceptionally well. It is a massive opportunity for him.

I wish Stephen all the best in the role. Although if we do get them in the play-off final, because Northern Ireland could meet the Republic of Ireland, I won’t be wishing him well that night!

Talking of my time at Derry City, Setanta have a channel with old League of Ireland games and they replayed recently the 2008 League of Ireland Cup Final when we won 6-1 and I scored a couple of goals.

I have enjoyed watching some of the old games that have been on various channels and RedTV. It is good to watch stuff back which you have good memories from. It helps put a smile on your face. In the weeks ahead, I will maybe have a chance to share some of my favourite football memories.

And finally, I spoke last week about how I had started watching Tiger King on Netflix. I am not sure if it was because of my recommendation, but most of the UK and America has now watched the series! So my recommendation this week is Money Heist. I have just finished watching that. It is very good. The new season came out on Wednesday and I have finished it already. The way it was left, hopefully there will be more seasons to come.

Stay safe everyone.

 

Niall was speaking to the Red Matchday Editor.