Happy New Year from the Inverness Reds
The start of 2022 saw a new management team installed at Pittodrie following the departure of Stephen Glass and since then it’s been the same old hot and cold performance on the field, however our current fourth place in the Scottish Premiership maybe indicates a settling of the new order of some sorts, although the recent matches post the World Cup would suggest something different.
It’s the first year since we’ve been formed in 1976 and since the pandemic where we’ve been unable to run supporters buses. It has been deeply frustrating for us and our members. However the situation in the Highlands has remained the same. Fleet reductions by hire companies or existing fleets being used for tourism or existing contracts. Where we may have secured transport, it has been at astronomical prices, making it uneconomical to run. Hopefully 2023 will see some sort of solution for the many Dandies that have travelled with us from the North of Scotland.
However, that hasn’t stopped many of our members still making it through to Pittodrie and further afield – fingers crossed we’ll get back together at some point.
The cost of living has hit many, and we will ever be indebted to those at the sharp end of the current difficulties facing our local areas, including those involved with the community effort from the Aberdeen FC Community Trust and the many other local charities helping out.
In January 2022 we announced the closure of the Inverness Reds website, but following the amount of feedback we had, we’ve kept it ticking along this season. However, after 24 years we will be closing the website at the end of the 2022/23 season – cost pressures have finally caught up with us.
There is more information about the closure available here.
The AFC DONScast our weekly podcast, and our social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook will remain open however for you to catchup with the latest Dons news.
We can’t but thank everyone who has contacted us on social media, through the Inverness Reds website and listened to the AFC DONScast – it’s our small contribution to the Dons family.
Finally, ahead of the bells, we’d like to wish all our members, supporters and followers a Happy and Healthy New Year for 2023.
Look after yourselves and Stand Free.
