Aberdeen fans react to Alfie Bavidge exit news – with Dons fans split on decision not to renew academy product striker’s contract

Aberdeen striker Alfie Bavidge revealed on Monday he has been told he will be departing the Dons at the end of his contract this summer, and the youth academy product’s impending exit has split fans.

The 19-year-old frontman has been back on loan at Caley Thistle this season, and, on Saturday, made it 18 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions (19 starts) for League One title-chasing ICT this term.

But Bavidge – who has made five Aberdeen first-team appearances, told us, regarding his Reds’ prospects: “I’ve been told my contract won’t be renewed so my future will lie elsewhere from Pittodrie.”

The news has divided Dons supporters:

Bavidge is ‘about to plot a path similar to Shankland’

Among those fans frustrated at Aberdeen’s decision to let Bavidge go, were Rednoseblew, who compared the striker to another released Dons youth forward – Lawrence Shankland.

Shankland is now the captain of top-flight title-contenders Hearts and a Scotland international, having fought his way back up through the lower leagues after his Aberdeen exit.

Rednoseblew said: “He’s about to plot a path similar to Shankland, who did the same at Ayr United.

“Look where he is now: heading Hearts’ front line as top scorer and in with a great chance of winning a title medal!

“I reckon Alfie is better than Shanks.

“They’re not exactly given time to find their feet and grow (by Aberdeen), are they?

“Breakthrough players like Fletcher (Boyd, sold to Aston Villa) and Bavidge get a few 10-minute cameos and they are failures? On that basis, release the entire squad, then.”

Adam Foster added: “Makes you wonder the point in the youth system, especially in the forward positions.

“He goes on loan and is getting a great GPG (goals per game) ratio so not sure what else he could do?

“One way of looking at this situation is if he was a Caley player then would AFC and the support be chasing him?”

Bob Smith Walker said, sarcastically: “Aye, he scores too many goals. Not welcome.

“Who needs a goalscorer?”

Ian McNeill added: “18 goals this season. Makes no sense. We will probably sign another non-scoring forward.”

And Grant Heath said: “Very badly managed given he was highly thought of before signing his pro deal here.

“Understand it’s only League 1, but has done pretty well and certainly would’ve been better to give him minutes over Ambrose, Yengi, Sokler etc.”

Christopher Mackie was one of several supporters who brought up the AberDNA fans funding scheme, and its merits, saying: “The reason why I don’t pay AberDNA. Kids can’t break through and been let go and come back to haunt us. Or we sell our good assets before we can use them.”

‘He struggled in the Championship’

However, other Aberdeen fans agreed with the club’s call on Shankland’s future, with many pointing to the striker’s lesser impact on loan at Championship Ayr United in the first half of last season.

Ian Davidson said: “Sure there will be the usual ‘experts’ coming on telling us this is a mistake etc. etc., but he struggled in the Championship, and the club will have been keeping an eye on his progress and don’t see him ready for this level.

“Best of luck to him.”

Kevin Smith added: “His record in League One is very average. Hasn’t been a regular starter at League One level. Correct decision.

“Wish the lad well.

“No doubt some Dons fans will re-write history and make him sound like a young Ronaldo.”

Donstalk also made the Shankland comparison, BUT supported the decision not to renew Bavidge’s deal, saying: “Not overly surprising, maybe like Shankland he needed to reach that level before pulling his socks up.

“Not at Prem level currently, but hope it works out for him.”

[Source: Press and Journal]