PERHAPS Aberdeen felt that if he was surrounded on the way through the exit door his departure might go relatively unnoticed.

There was never any chance of that.

Willie Miller left Pittodrie yesterday accompanied by a quartet of other names shed from the board of directors. Martin Gilbert, Hugh Little, Ken Matheson and Chris Gavin have all contributed in various ways over the years, but each knew his farewells would be overshadowed. The divorce of Aberdeen and Miller, even second time around, is a poignant step.

There was no great fuss this time and no tears. None that are known about, at least. It was not like that when Miller first left having been sacked as manager in February, 1995. Nine years later the greatest player in Aberdeen's history returned, having emerged as an articulate and iconic spokesman for a fans' protest group, to become director of football. It was a much-anticipated appointment which never delivered the results sought by all involved.

The 57-year-old became inextricably associated with Aberdeen's unchanging mediocrity. His influence was steadily eroded and so, too, his hold on some fans. Those old enough to regard him as untouchable bristled at the criticism which came his way. Others, often younger fans, were vocal in asking what he brought to the club and whether his six-figure salary could be justified when the squad was usually in dire need of investment. Last year his role was redefined to director of football development and yesterday the post was made redundant.

Aberdeen's board will be reduced from 10 to six. George Yule, president of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, was appointed to the new role of executive vice chairman, an addition described as "welcome and necessary" by Stewart Milne, the chairman. The next couple of seasons would be a crucial period for the club, said Milne, alluding to the plan to move into a new stadium in time for the start of the 2014/15 season. That deadline, if met, will mean only two further terms at Pittodrie.

Milne said: "We need a step-change in how the club is run if we are to deliver our vision of delivering the new stadium and soccer academy, and be in a position to take advantage. Clubs have always faced challenges which vary in nature and gravity, none more so than what lies ahead over the next few years. We have an obligation to our supporters, shareholders and all those associated with the club to ensure we are fit for the future, and have the best resources available to us."

Miller, Gavin and Matheson left with immediate effect, while Gilbert and Little, from Aberdeen Asset Management, will go once that company's shares have been transferred to others. As for Miller, no matter how things worked out second time around, he was entitled to believe he deserved far more respect than to be the only one of the five departing directors not to be thanked in the club's official statement.