Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen on Wednesday celebrated a "remarkable result" as their annual
report revealed a "staggering" £14.49M ($22.9M) is to be "wiped from their net
debt," according to Gregor Kyle of the Scotland DAILY RECORD. The result was announced "in the early hours" of Wednesday morning
and the figures reveal local businessman Willie Donald and wife Elaine
are to each gain a 10% shareholding -- "after they backed the plan
with their own millions." The Aberdeen FC Community Trust will
also receive "a sizeable shareholding" but the Donalds will
"not receive a seat on the board." The report also "highlights the impact of on-field success," with the club winning the League Cup last season, reaching the semifinals of the Scottish Cup and "narrowly missing out on a second place finish in the league." Aberdeen CEO Duncan Fraser said in a statement, "The overall turnover increased from £7.85 million to £11.158 million ($17.63M), as the Club finished third in the SPFL, won the League Cup and reached the semi-final of the Scottish Cup. ... Wages increased from £5.256 million to £6.084 million ($9.61M) as a direct
result of much higher performance bonuses being paid to the playing and
management staff" (DAILY RECORD, 11/12).
