In a win for local youth football, plans for a new Cruyff Court in Aberdeen's Kincorth area have been scrapped after concerns it would encroach on pitches already serving hundreds of young players.

The proposed all-weather facility, part of the Johan Cruyff Foundation's global initiative offering 24/7 access to small-sided football and basketball courts, was set to be built on existing green space. However, following community pushback, Aberdeen City Council has agreed to explore using a disused bowling green instead, while still moving forward with other Cruyff Court sites across the city.

Kincorth AFC and Kincorth Emirates Youth led the campaign to protect their pitches, arguing the original location would have squeezed out teams that rely on the space weekly. Club representative Dani Kindness expressed relief at the decision, noting the tight quarters already force teams to juggle schedules. "There was no dispute the court would be a fantastic addition," Kindness told BBC Scotland News. "But we felt we weren't consulted enough before plans were announced. It was a case of poor communication."

The Cruyff Court concept, named after Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff who passed away in 2016, aims to create safe, accessible community hubs for sport. While Kincorth won't get one just yet, the alternative site on the bowling green offers a compromise that keeps both the facility and the youth pitches intact.

For local teams, this decision means their summer tournaments—drawing hundreds of young athletes—can continue without disruption. As Kindness put it, "Kincorth is lacking facilities, so it would have been a real shame to miss out entirely. The community came together and showed there are better options."

For now, the ball is back in the council's court to find a solution that works for everyone—a reminder that in sports, as in life, the best plays come from listening to the team.