Aberdeen managing director Duncan Fraser confirmed yesterday that the bid to replace Pittodrie with a new stadium would be complete by 2013. It has also been confirmed that the historic home of the Dons would be bulldozed as part of the plan.

Speaking in the Evening Express, Fraser admitted that they faced a potential drop in support, but insisted the new stadium would win over their doubters.

Duncan said: “There will be people who say they won’t support the club when we move. I’ve been going to Pittodrie since I was a child, so understand the emotional ties involved.

“But we are convinced if we build a first class facility we will win them over.

“Pittodrie was a wonderful home for the club for more than 100 years. Our job now is to deliver a stadium that will do the same for the next 100 years and we must do that.”

A survey conducted by the Aberdeen Supporters Trust in May of 2009 found that 81.2% of Dons fans were against the new site and 62.8% would be less likely to attend matches there.

The new stadium will cost an estimated £30 milllion and seat 22,000 pectators with the option of rising to 30,000 if required for major events.