Brown offers stout defence of under pressure chairman

Friday 23 September 2011

Craig Brown last night leapt to the defence of Stewart Milne, the Aberdeen chairman, a target for the club's fans after they lost to East Fife in the Scottish Communities League Cup at Pittodrie on Tuesday night and revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson had given the building tycoon a glowing reference.

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On the day Duncan Fraser, the club’s chief executive, reiterated Milne’s pledge that the manager’s job was safe and agreed that decreasing revenue, principally through falling attendances, was a major concern, Brown praised the chairman for the support given in rebuilding the squad in the summer.

The three men met the previous day at a corporate golf day at Gleneagles, where a way ahead for the troubled club was discussed in depth and Brown was adamant that together they could turn the corner. “The chairman was right; the result on Tuesday was unacceptable,” he said. “The chairman felt he needed to put out a statement because of all the calls he had to take after the defeat, but this is a wonderful football club which should not have the kind of results we had on Tuesday.“I do not know who is criticising the chairman but I would rather listen to Sir Alex Ferguson than them. When Archie Knox, my assistant, and I were considering coming here, Sir Alex phoned and said Aberdeen have a very good chairman. Sir Alex is no mug, he has an antenna for everything as far as I’m concerned.“In our experience we have seen nothing to change our minds. Whether it was taking Nick Blackman or Steven Smith on loan, or getting Rory Fallon in, he has found the funding to get these players. Stewart Milne has been very supportive and there has been a lot of money put in.”Fraser, meanwhile, underlined the message that Milne, on the receiving end of severe criticism from fans who point to him having sacked seven managers in 14 years, continued to support the club, though he declined to state whether any further recent investment had been made.“I believe we are fortunate that we have the backing we have,” Fraser said. “That’s the bottom line, with Aberdeen you have got to go back to where it is. Our guys have been pushing the boat out as much as they can. Stewart supports the club in terms of its overall operation while we live within our budget which is the highest in my time here. There’s not a lot of people out there prepared to do that. It’s a thankless task.“I don’t think we should put a timescale on results improving. You don’t do that to guys of Craig and Archie’s experience. You must make sure you give them as much support as possible.”On talk of a possible boycott by fans at next Friday evening’s home game against Dunfermline Athletic, Fraser added: “It’s not for me to tell our fans what to do. The only way to get them back is by winning games and they have always shown a willingness to do that.”

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Brown offers stout defence of under pressure chairman

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