Aberdeen FC has warned it faces “significant” increases in costs as it grapples with soaring prices of fuel, food and staff wages.
In an interview with the Press & Journal's Erikka Askeland, AFC commercial director Robert Wicks admitted cost price rises were “frustrating”, but that the club was doing its “level best” to reduce the impact on fans by minimising the rises in price of tickets, food kiosks and matchday hospitality.
However, he warned the added cost burden, thought to be in the region of hundreds of thousands of pounds, could affect community and grassroots access to facilities like Cormack Park as prices for use may have to rise.
He said: “The worry for everybody in this game is that rental charges are going to have to go up to cover these increased costs.
“That then starts to impact on access, particularly for your grassroots clubs that perhaps can’t afford an increased rate.
“If those kids aren’t able to come and enjoy their football or come and enjoy the facilities, what is the unknown impact in terms of health and wellbeing?
“This is not about scare mongering, this is the reality of what we are facing.”
The club confirmed cost of food sourced by the club has risen between 10 and 30%, and another issue they face is the ageing Pittodrie Stadium.
“It’s 120 years old and we have some energy-hungry things like grow lamps on during the winter for keeping the pitch in tip top condition,” said Mr Wicks.
“The floodlights when we play through the winter or early evening kick off, those are big factors.
“We are not expecting an immediate increase in those energy costs because we are tied into a reasonable deal. But in the near future we are going to see a couple of significant increases coming our way. We have to be ready for that."