George Yule will participate in his first annual meeting tonight as the Aberdeen executive vice-chairman.

The post was once occupied by Stewart Milne, the multi-millionaire house-builder, who, some say, has neither the time nor inclination to continue with the club.

Yule's surprise appointment in the summer was perhaps as clear an indication as possible that Milne's time at Pittodrie might be coming to an end. The balance sheet has displayed no real sign of recovery while, on the pitch, performances have hardly been momentous. Home gates, too, are not overly impressive, hovering, as they are, around the 8000 mark.

The early noises emanating from the new man in day-to-day charge – that's despite already having a highly-paid chief executive, Duncan Fraser, in place – proved rousing for a fan base starved of success and accepting of their "provincial club" status. Aspirations should be higher, determination greater and application assured, Yule pronounced.

Aberdeen agms became more interesting to shareholders following Milne's anointment as chairman in 1998, four years after he had joined the board, and by which time his power-base had been well-established, with most of the fans onside.

Dissenting voices on the then supporters' trust– Fraser, Willie Miller and Chris Gavin – unhappy at Milne's conducting of operations, were silenced when they were appointed directors, and important statistics like employing and then sacking, at considerable cost, seven managers and two caretaker managers, before Craig Brown's appointment two years ago, are seldom flagged-up when Milne's name is mentioned.

His heart and his money were certainly in the right place, but his near-two decades at Pittodrie could scarcely be described as having reaped benefits for the club or himself, particularly as his wallet is considerably lighter as a result of his involvement.

Two weeks ago, he proposed to waive £3.7m due to him by the club and accept shares in return. Aberdeen Asset Management followed suit with the £2.25m they were due and this manoeuvre, to be ratified by shareholders tonight, will cut the debt to £10.82m.

But what of Yule? His resolve, not to say his energy for his new role, is unquestionable.

Now that he has settled in and made it known that he plans to effect changes and bring about improvements at Pittodrie, will Milne see such chutzpah as an opportune moment to step down from the top table, if not tonight, then soon, and offer his appointee a clear field to fulfil his promises?

ANALYSIS Good Yule-tidings from new Aberdeen vice-chairman writes Frank Gilfeather

George Yule will participate in his first annual meeting tonight as the Aberdeen executive vice-chairman.

The post was once occupied by Stewart Milne, the multi-millionaire house-builder, who, some say, has neither the time nor inclination to continue with the club.

Yule's surprise appointment in the summer was perhaps as clear an indication as possible that Milne's time at Pittodrie might be coming to an end. The balance sheet has displayed no real sign of recovery while, on the pitch, performances have hardly been momentous. Home gates, too, are not overly impressive, hovering, as they are, around the 8000 mark.

The early noises emanating from the new man in day-to-day charge – that's despite already having a highly-paid chief executive, Duncan Fraser, in place – proved rousing for a fan base starved of success and accepting of their "provincial club" status. Aspirations should be higher, determination greater and application assured, Yule pronounced.

Aberdeen agms became more interesting to shareholders following Milne's anointment as chairman in 1998, four years after he had joined the board, and by which time his power-base had been well-established, with most of the fans onside.

Dissenting voices on the then supporters' trust– Fraser, Willie Miller and Chris Gavin – unhappy at Milne's conducting of operations, were silenced when they were appointed directors, and important statistics like employing and then sacking, at considerable cost, seven managers and two caretaker managers, before Craig Brown's appointment two years ago, are seldom flagged-up when Milne's name is mentioned.

His heart and his money were certainly in the right place, but his near-two decades at Pittodrie could scarcely be described as having reaped benefits for the club or himself, particularly as his wallet is considerably lighter as a result of his involvement.

Two weeks ago, he proposed to waive £3.7m due to him by the club and accept shares in return. Aberdeen Asset Management followed suit with the £2.25m they were due and this manoeuvre, to be ratified by shareholders tonight, will cut the debt to £10.82m.

But what of Yule? His resolve, not to say his energy for his new role, is unquestionable.

Now that he has settled in and made it known that he plans to effect changes and bring about improvements at Pittodrie, will Milne see such chutzpah as an opportune moment to step down from the top table, if not tonight, then soon, and offer his appointee a clear field to fulfil his promises?