Chairman Dave Cormack disclosed at the club’s AGM this week that the plans for a new venue have been put on hold, as the club continues to be at an impasse with Aberdeen City Council regarding financial support.

He told attendees: “Regarding the stadium situation., Aberdeen City Council approached the club a few years back about building a new community stadium as part of their ambitious beachfront masterplan, for which independent economists projected a £1 billion upside for the City of Aberdeen as a result of the club being the anchor tenant.

“Between COVID construction inflation, a change in council leadership and their now significantly reduced plans for beachfront investment, along with highly depressed land values in the northeast, the Club needs a period of time to re-evaluate its options.”

This situation arises as the value of the Pittodrie location – which, according to reports in the P&J, could have been sold for residential development – has significantly declined, resulting in Aberdeen FC not receiving “the best offer” for the property.

Chief executive Alan Burrows pledged to pursue substantial improvements to Pittodrie.

He said: “Without getting too het up on specifics, there’s a commitment to modernise areas of Pittodrie.”

One improvement hinted at by the Dons’ chief executive was the potential for safe standing in the Red Shed. He mentioned that the club was “absolutely open” to this concept, which has seen success in various locations including Celtic, Hibernian, and Kilmarnock stadiums.

An AFC spokesman said: “Given neither the plans for Kingsford nor the beachfront are likely to proceed in the short to medium term, we will be investing in improvements to the stadium and its facilities. This is in addition to the £500k we’ve already invested in the last 12-18 months.”