A RED Point of View

A B E R D E E N sIMPSON

ISSUE 02 SEPTEMBER 2017 Welcome... cONTRIBUTORS: I warmly re-welcome those of you who Andrew Smith: downloaded and enjoyed the first issue @andrewsmith_99 and at the same time welcome those who are reading “A Red Point of View” Ben Palmer: for the first time. I would like to dedicate @BenjyPalmer this welcome to the readers of the last issue, all of the messages and kind words Gavin Craw the magazine received on its debut was @NQSSFS_Podcast magnificent. We are now several months into the season and although there are Sanjoy Sen teething issues, things remain positive @sanjoysen100 and I hope you’re enjoying this season as much as myself. Here’s what you can expect to find amongst the second issue Lewis Birrell: of the magazine. We have an exclusive @LewisBirrell interview with legend and Gothenburg great, Neil Simpson who Kevin Stirling: opens up about his Dons career and @afchistorymag current job as head of youth. Elsewhere Times journalist Ben Palmer dissects Ab- Jack Thomson: erdeen’s ambitions for the season while @jthomsonmedia Jack Thomson from Dons blog Stats and Miniskirts analyses the man between the sticks, super . We have Alex Giles: @Muldwych got two takes on the proposed stadium plans from either side of the argument while the Aberdeen historian, Kevin Stir- Lewis Michie: ling takes a nostalgic reflection on his 50 @lewismichie0 years of attending Pittodrie. Alex Giles takes us on an origins story with our club Kevin Rinchey: song “Stand Free”, the Dons Supporters @broomhilldons Together group tell us a bit more about themselves and who they are while free- lance Journalist Lewis Birrell tackles the issue of refereeing in Scotland. As always A Special Thanks: we have got “The View From The To Scott Baxter club photographer at Aberdeen Terraces” to round things off nicely at Football Club. Without his kindness in allowing us the back of the issue. Thanks for coming to use his sublime photos the magazine would be back and I hope you enjoy this issue as a worse, less colourful place without them. Scott’s much as the last! Ryan Crombie. name and website are on all images. Do not hesi- Cover art by Callum Melvin tate to head to his site “scottcameronbaxter.com”. A team in transition

WORDS / Ryan Crombie IMAGE / Scott Baxter - @scottscb scottcameronbaxter.com t’s been two months since I pulled down my sun fad- can’t seem to shake. While it hasn’t been a specific char- ed, red, south stand seat ahead of Aberdeen versus acteristic of this season, the same issues that occurred last IHamilton on the “opening” Sunday of the season. season have been thrown up over the first few months of Since then the Dons have taken to the field eight times this season. It was evident for all to watch on in horror in and during the first weeks of the season there has the ghastly cup performance against Motherwell, where been few answers to the questions that were posed at a back three of Reynolds, O’Connor and Considine were the start of the season. Does McInnes know his best run ragged by, an admittedly magical, Louis Moult. As XI? Can Aberdeen finish second again? Has McInnes mentioned though the issues have been prevalent aside improved the team from last year? Will the Dons strug- from at with three goals shipped at Firhill, a scare gle with so many new faces? at Murrayfield and a surrendered lead at home to Kilmar- nock. Is the defence alone to blame for this? All of these were questions that were raised by the media and those of us amongst the , me Glancing slightly further forward there is a real concern included, ahead of the new season. While they may about the effectiveness of the midfield. Nobody is stamp- not have been fully resolved there are some elements ing their authority over matches and while Shinnie’s to this Dons side which have become apparent despite work rate and desire is second to none in world football the season’s first round of fixtures not having been he can’t do it himself. Attention has turned to that of fully completed. Kenny McLean amongst Dons fans lately and rightly so. The midfielder’s performances are not mirroring that of While the Dons have maintained an unbeaten start to someone with over 100 successive appearances in the the league campaign it is evident team whether that be starting or that a plethora of new faces have from the bench. McInnes’ reluc- walked through the Pittodrie front “We still main- tance to drop McLean despite his door during the summer. It would anonymous performances of late have been foolish to suggest that tain an unbeat- is worrying and you have to hope the team would not struggle with that the gaffer is seeing something such a large personnel turnover on the training field and his selec- during the transfer window and it en record in the tion is not mere blind faith. McLean is proving to be throwing up some must shoulder some of the blame challenges. The problem McInnes league and sit for recent disappointing displays had was that he needed to discover and must rediscover the form that what his best starting XI was quick- earned him a Scotland call up not so ly but that hasn’t happened and as only two points long ago if this Aberdeen team are a result we are suffering. behind Celtic” to improve. Attacking moves still look like Despite the teething issues there guesswork, formations don’t look settled and we are are things believe it or not, to be positive about. Stevie not fully exploiting our talents within the squad. This May looks a cracking purchase and looks as if he will re- can largely be blamed on the team constantly under- turn, at least, over ten goals for the season. Some of the going a reshuffling every week. Some have described it movement that the striker shows up front is undoubtedly as the McInnes pre-match tombola and while it does going unnoticed at the minute and it is important that the seem like an honest attempt to solve the puzzle to other Dons players learn to adapt to May’s style of play up his strongest side, it is upsetting the cohesion within top. the team. Players need games outside of training to become comfortable with their team mates style of We still maintain an unbeaten record in the league and sit play and they just aren’t getting that at the minute. It only two points behind Celtic which is far from poor. Some must also be noted that the uncertainty is excessive- of the football that this new look Aberdeen team have ly noticeable due to the exquisite playing knowledge played during that unbeaten run has been brilliant too but of Rooney, Hayes and McGinn, all players who would only in fits and starts. Perhaps this is why it is so frustrating know exactly where each other would be on the park to see them underperform because they are capable of so at any given moment. Free flowing attacking football much more than a home draw with Kilmarnock and could has been the norm at Pittodrie over recent years it will quite easily have ran away with the game at Murrayfield if take time before this current side click, but it will come.they had kept up the performance levels of the first thirty minutes. Once they manage to consistently achieve the What hasn’t instilled confidence in anyone has been high standards that we know they possess then we have a the defensive frailties that his Aberdeen team just magnificent team on our hands. Neil Simpson: One of the Greatest

IMAGE / Scott Baxter - @scottscb scottcameronbaxter.com eil Simpson; one of the finest players to walk the be in the squad for the Hamilton game who the first corridors of Pittodrie, one of the most talented team were playing, I think it was on the Tuesday or the Nmidfielders amidst his period, an integral cog Wednesday. It came out of the blue really and it was just amongst the greatest ever Aberdeen team and a cham- an amazing experience. I came on as a sub and set up pion of Europe. These approbations do not come lightly one of the goals for so that was great.” but as a result of a career that would go on to see Simp- son clash with Gallego and Stielike in Gothenburg in ’83, Disappointingly for Simpson it wasn’t as simple as mak- to eternally carve himself into the history of the club he ing his debut and then staking a regular place in the first bled the colour of. team. He was given a taste of what awaited him later and career and was indeed, made to wait. This perhaps Every success story has a prerequisite origins tale and was down to a streak of misfortune through illness as this one begins in the ashen Pittodrie car park, in the Simpson explains. shadow of the stadium that would soon become the set- ting for one of Aberdeen’s greatest success stories. “Unfortunately I didn’t play anymore games that year but I did go with the first team to an away game against “I was involved with The Aber- Hearts, it was the Saturday deen schoolboy selects, it was before Christmas. I remember Lenny Taylor and Bobby Clark “I always being told that perhaps to- took the sessions. So a cou- day was too much and that I ple of months into that I got would be left out of the team asked to go down and train at but that I would definitely be the Pittodrie car park. Prior to wanted to sign involved in our next game at that I was going to quite a lot Pittodrie. of trials down in England. The first trial I was at was at Aston for Aberdeen, “Of course I wake up on Villa, then Man City, Christmas day and I had a then Middlesbrough real sore neck and it was all but then it was in the Novem- I could stay at swollen and I actually had ber I was told Aberdeen would the mumps so that ruled me like to sign me. out for about three weeks. home and play Then I got the German mea- “The next day I was heading sles after that so that was me down to Middlesbrough to basically ill for the rest of that play a game for the reserves. for the team I’d season because it’s difficult to So on the Monday night we get back and get your fitness beat Barnsley 4-0 and then I back. So it took me a while played for the youth team the supported since to get back going again with next day. In that youth team Aberdeen but during that there was four or five who time I was getting involved went on to play for with Scotland u17’s and U18’ and made it proper big time. It I was a kid.” which was great experience was a good experience but my for myself.” mind was made up, I wanted to go to Aberdeen. I always wanted to sign for Aberdeen; I could stay at home and There was better luck on the horizon for Simpson though play for the team I’d supported since I was a kid.” and as the old saying goes, one’s loss is another’s gain and he is modest enough to joke, yet admit that it might At the tender age of 17, Simpson had achieved what not have been himself in that famous Dons team if he many of us spend a lifetime dreaming of, he signed for hadn’t seized his opportunity. the team he supported, Aberdeen Football Club. “What happened was that and John “I remember thinking that the first team seems a long McMaster got injured so myself and Ian Angus got 20-25 way off but then Fergie came in and I remember playing games under our belts during the second half of that in a friendly game against Stirling University (It was two season. It was invaluable experience playing against weeks before I made my debut actually) and I scored Rangers and against Celtic down at Parkhead and it gave with my right foot, my left foot and a header, so I scored you a run of games and a taste for it all. But the start a perfect hat trick. Then I got told that I was going to of that season I couldn’t really make a break- through, I was making the odd substitute appearance never any thought we weren’t going to get to the final, here and there. especially after the 5-1 everyone had a pretty good idea that we would be there. It’s then you’re looking “I remember coming on against Hibs which was a cru- to see where exactly Gothenburg is and who we could cial point in making it as a regular for Aberdeen if I’m potentially be playing. There was an impressive line-up being honest. It was 0-0 at half time. I came on for Andy in the quarter-finals because I’m pretty sure it was Real Watson and my first three touches were shocking. One Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Aberdeen, Paris went under my foot, the next one bobbled over my foot Saint-Germain, Waterschei, Austria Vienna and Inter and then I miscontrolled the third one and the manager Milan, in then and today’s terms. was going absolutely crazy. But this is how things can change, there was I think about three minutes to go I “What I will say about the Final is how relaxed I actually found myself at the edge of the box with the ball. I took felt. The rain almost calmed me as well as it was my sort a touch past somebody and fired a shot into the bottom of conditions and it suited my game. The one thing that corner with my left foot and we won 1-0. I never looked instantly comes to my mind when I think back to the back after that. If that hadn’t happened it could have all game is that I should have scored, I had a chance but been very different. Some- I slashed at the ball a little body else could have been bit and it went past the post playing in midfield [laughs]. “The European with about 5 minutes to go of extra time. Also I distinctly The rest, they say, is history. remember being in the wall at After staking his name as a run was out- the end as well. The free kick regular starter in Alex Fergu- was taken and I jumped up son’s Dons side, Neil Simpson and the ball skiffed just past went on to win major honours my foot and I turned round at every turn, ending his Aber- standing, it was in horror but was absolutely deen career having won a Cup delighted to see it go past Winners Cup, a super cup, the post. If that had gone in I two league titles, three Scot- really, really would have been absolutely tish cups and a league cup. raging at myself.” Immediately the eye is drawn to the forefront of that list special. The Cup With all that was occurring and speaking about his high- around the time of the Euro- lights it will be no surprise to pean Cup final Simpson ex- anybody that the highlight Winners Cup plained how it was difficult to of Simpson’s career was the soak in what he and his team Euro run that led Aberdeen to mates had actually achieved. European glory. run just fell into Finally it was the Red Army who took to the streets in Ab- “The European run was out- erdeen that shed light on the standing, it was really, really place really.” scale of their success. special. The Cup Winners Cup run just fell into place really. “It took a while to sink in on The first game against Sion was a great performance. I what we had actually achieved as there was so much popped up myself and got a goal! I actually got a couple happening then. We had Hibs on the Saturday, then throughout the whole thing, in the quarter final against obviously the Cup Final, then just after I made my debut Bayern Munich and then the Semi’s against Waterschei. for Scotland. There was just so much happening to even There’s only three Scottish players to score in a quarter stop and have a think about what we had done. It did final and a final in the same year and that’s me… there’s really sink in when we came home and were on the a fact for you! bus especially when we were coming down Queen’s Road and then you turn off of Union Street to see tens “The intensity we played at in that Waterschei game of thousands of people lining the streets. If you were was outstanding and I think it caught them by surprise. asking when did it hit you? That moment was it. It was It was just unbelievable; it was a night of sheer determi- overwhelming to see that amount of people. Without a nation and skill. I remember Dougie Bell was excellent doubt the whole Cup winners Cup experience was the that night and the way we went about the match it was highlight of my career.” like we were just destined to get to the final. There was Now while we are all aware of the accolades that the I had to change my game as a result. Obviously Brian 80’s Aberdeen team racked up, nobody can really put Grant was emerging at that time and doing well along the finger on the key to the success. Simpson puts a with who was still at the club. Jim was one of large factor of it down to the sheer fitness and positive the best players I’ve ever played with if I’m being hon- attitude of the team. est. A top quality individual and a great guy as well.”

“The thing about our Aberdeen squad was we were so And that is how it ended for Simpson. Perhaps one of fit. I think that’s why we won so many games in extra the cruellest ways to bow out of playing football after a time because our fitness was top notch. That’s down to career that offered and delivered so much. Simpson was the intensity we all trained at and demanded of each more than a player in his career, he was a huge factor other in training, there was never any slacking. We that allowed a whole generation in the north east to fall trained as we would play. The attitude of the experi- in love with their football club. Having called time upon enced players like was unbelievable. He his playing career, coaching rather than management was a great member of the squad. Every session was was the next route Simpson decided he was to embark 110% and that just brushed off onto everybody, so if you upon. Now Simpson is Head of Youth at Aberdeen and is were on his team, everybody had to work hard. It was revelling in his role. the same with Willie or Big Alex. Everybody had a great winning mentality that we even brought to the training “In terms of my job as head of youth now it’s immensely field.” satisfying when you see young boy who you’ve worked with since they were 7 or 8 years old to right through to Neil Simpson’s Aberdeen career for the most part was making their debut for the first team and doing well.” nothing less than miraculous however sadly the twilight years at his boyhood team were not so fruitful. The Simpson has also expressed his support for the pro- truth behind this was that his games were severely limit- posed new stadium plans as he feels it is necessary for ed no thanks to irrepressible injury problems. the club to progress to the next level. We have all seen the exasperated comments of Derek McInnes and his “The latter part of my Aberdeen career was hampered clearly frustrated self when opening up about the poor by injury and it was so frustrating as all you want to do quality facilities at the club, but Simpson is facing similar is play. I was one of the fittest guys at Aberdeen during issues. my time, I would play through minor injuries and I can’t even remember pulling a muscle or anything. But then I “We’ve got frustrating things in our department as well was actually involved in a car crash between Christmas as the first team in terms of facilities. You know there is and New Year in 1985. Of course after that I had my the new project brave initiative and we want to be part neck in a brace and took all the precautions but ten days of the elite group and while there is a great chance we later you’re like alright let’s get on with this. However will our facilities at the minute are causing great diffi- I was still getting a lot of pain going down my leg and culties. We are usually at Balgownie during the summer when I think back now it was actually sciatica I had and months and while they are first class pitches they still I only had an operation on my back five years ago. I’m aren’t our own. Then we are at the sports village during almost certain that that injury had something to do with the 6 winter months which is brilliant as not many teams the numerous other injuries that I picked up in the tail can say they are training indoors during the winter. end of my Aberdeen days. “The problem we have is that we have 11-a-side teams “It was really, really frustrating. At the end both myself training on a third of a pitch sometimes even a quarter. and the club agreed that it would be best if I looked In terms of developing players and doing things you for another club to take my career in a different path. need for 11-a-side football, it is difficult to develop the Unfortunately though it was just the same for the next best player we can with these facilities and we think couple of years at Newcastle and Motherwell, and you these new facilities are necessary. There is just so much know you get to the stage where it’s no longer fun. All more we can do to make our youth department 100 you want to do is play but when you are getting a run of times better than it currently is. I think if we get these five games and then from nothing you can pull you calf facilities then we will be up there with the best in Scot- muscle or pick up niggly injuries you just think, what the land alongside Celtic and Rangers really. I just hope it heck is the point here. It comes to the point where you happens.” realise your body can’t handle the demands of full time professional football anymore as my game was built on Interview conducted by Ryan Crombie. hard work, tackling and closing people down. It got to the stage where you couldn’t do that as effectively and Dons Ambitions

WORDS / Ben Palmer WORDSIMAGE / Scott / Ally Baxter Begg - @scottscb scottcameronbaxter.com here is a tale in the north-east of Scotland of two Deila’s last season when we were catching them, if not Aberdonians stranded on a desert island. Sweat ahead of them, and in the winter window they went and Trolling down their faces, dehydration kicking in spent so many millions and they just went into another and with little hope left, one turns to the other, mus- gear and they’re off and win the league.” tering the first words shared in hours, and says: “Well, Aberdeen are 1-0 down.” Deila spent £1.5 million in that January transfer window, purchasing Erik Sviatchenko from FC Midtjylland. Patrick Shocked and confused at how his acquaintance has Roberts also arrived on loan from Manchester City and came in to such information with no means of commu- Colin Kazim-Richards, although he was as much use as a nication to the outside world, he who has just been told glass hammer, was a free transfer from Feyenoord. the scoreline asks his friend: “How the bloody hell do you know that?” With Celtic set to receive near £30 million of funding as a result of qualifying for the group stages of the Cham- “It’s 3.15 on a Saturday.” pions League, the gap widens again. So why then did Stewart Milne give McInnes such strong backing in the Of course, this old gag is not as humorous as it once summer transfer window? was. The reason being, that more often than not now- adays, Aberdeen are in fact winning at that stage of a A profusion of talented players walked through the Saturday afternoon. In fact, only twice last season were front door at Pittodrie this summer. On two occasions Aberdeen losing after 15 minutes of a 3pm Saturday kick McInnes spent fees, on Gary Mackay-Steven and Stevie off. The first occasion was the 4-1 defeat to Celtic last May, which is a rarity in itself in the north-east. Though August, and the other the 3-1 victory away to the league title has been given up on, Aberdeen want to Caledonian Thistle last November. The joke doesn’t retain their spot as the second best in the country. make sense in the current climate of a successful Aber- deen team. Rangers spent large amounts on a wealth of foreign talent early in the transfer window and the Aberdeen Under Derek McInnes, Aberdeen are the second best board realised that McInnes, who also rejected the team in the country. Second in the Premiership in the advances of Sunderland around the time that the Ibrox last three seasons and runners-up in both cup compe- purse strings were loosening, required backing to main- titions last season, McInnes and his men are pressed tain the club’s current position in the upper echelons of firmly against the glass ceiling put in place by Celtic and Scottish football. their financial riches. The aforementioned gag in this piece of the two strand- But there appears to be little aspiration to hammer ed Aberdonians when told to Aberdeen fans in the past through the barrier and take the step to the next level. was met with laughter. The tale represented the norm, “They [Celtic] look every bit as strong as last season,” the accepted, the status quo. It’s changed days under McInnes told newspaper journalists when he met with McInnes. Yes, he’s coy when it comes to the club’s them recently. “Which is why I said Celtic will win the potential in the Premiership, but it does not mean he league if they reach the standards of last season again.” cannot envision progress elsewhere.

Now, for the cynics amongst us, this reeks of defeatism. Exiting the Europa League qualifying stages at the third What’s the point in even having a league campaign if round for the fourth consecutive year will have stung, the side who are best equipped to challenge the six-in- but success in domestic cups is a priority this season. a-row champions concede that they’re not capable of McInnes has told his players that reaching cups finals mounting a title challenge when a ball has barely been on a regular basis should be the standard at Aberdeen. kicked? When he does eventually leave the club, he will want his time to be looked back on as a period when the club But the position we find ourselves in Scotland of a one- took itself seriously and aimed high. club monopoly of success means that we must annu- ally embark on domestic football with a healthy dose It may be defeatist to accept best of the rest behind of realism; something that is alive and well within the Celtic, but it is also realistic. There remains ambition at Aberdeen squad. Aberdeen and it all stems from the manager. For Dons fans stranded on desert islands, McInnes wants them “We can push them as hard as we can,” said Andrew to know that they support a club who aren’t resting on Considine, when he met with the press. “But if you look their laurels. at the resources, what comes to my mind was Ronnie Kingsford: For and Against

IMAGE / Scott Baxter - @scottscb scottcameronbaxter.com Not since my teenage years has the floor the building of the bypass, the city will grow beneath me bounced as aggressively and out towards Westhill in time and nothing can determinedly as it does as I write this. stand indefinitely in the way of that pro- Back then, it took a swift hammer blow FOR gress. to the ceiling or my dad yanking out the coax cable depriving me of snow-drenched channel Sooner or later, some organisation will see the value 5 porno to reign it in. Today, it’s thirty-two degrees in that piece of land at Kingsford. It might as well in the shade, 8.05am and, somewhere nearby in be Aberdeen football club and a project that offers Hong Kong, relentless progress is building from the such an opportunity to promote sport in the city for ground up. generations to come.

When I first moved here, I was naïve enough to ask So is it time for naysayers to suck it up? Is Kingsford the same question one does when letting back in progress in the same way that the behemoth being Aberdeen. Is there any building work planned in built by the mobile bouncy disco company beneath the near future? Are those bloodstains going to be me is? Who am I to say but I do believe that the there when I move in? (Well, that one was confined tide of ‘progress’ is unbeatable and it might as well to that flat on Jute Street). There’s ALWAYS building be something good that goes there. I mean, bloody work going on here. Always. hell, even in Westhill I hear these days that Channel 5 comes through in crystal clear digital. Progress is progress. Nae coax needed. When not mercilessly battering away at myself back in the day, I was also a mildly voiced campaigner for Words By Gavin Craw Arbroath FC’s relocation to a site in Denfield north- west of the town, a move that stood to regenerate the seafront area of the existing ground, offering the kind of entertainment, shopping and leisure facili- ties that might encourage the locals not to ship out of a weekend and empty their paycheques in the tills of Dundee. It seemed a no-brainer.

It would destroy the character of the seafront. It would bleed precious custom away from the High Street. The use of public funding to part cost the project was not in the community’s interest. What about residents in the vicinity of the planned sta- dium? At every turn, it seemed there was a road block.

As an outsider looking in, I see the same stumbling blocks and false starts with Kingsford. The football club – a real shining light in some fairly gloomy times for the city – shows a real intention towards progress. In my opinion, it seems almost illogical for the powers that be to stand in the way of an ambi- tious building project that flies in the face of auster- ity.

Concerns about safety are fair enough but easily addressed. Concerns about noise and traffic are a nonsense given the sparing frequency with which the stadium will be ‘matchday operational’. With I’ve been typing this on an iPad get access to great facilities.) But which thinks ‘Pittodrie’ is a typing whilst Kingsford might work for error. And, rather worryingly, it that stuff, in one-club Aberdeen, warns ‘no replacements found’. couldn’t the stadium be a central- Hope that’s not an omen. AGAINST ly-located source of civic pride? This goes to the heart of what a Anyway, what about Aurora? Sure, it’s a big improve- club (and fans) mean to their home city. ment on Pittodrie. But I’d really hoped for (a lot) more ambition in both the stadium and location. If Kingsford Working on Teesside, I saw Middlesbrough’s Riverside happens, of course I’ll head out there and enjoy it. But take shape. Staying central supported urban regener- if (for any reason) it doesn’t, I hope we’ll see a bold re- ation and galvanised the area around once-struggling think. Here’s why. Boro. With Aberdeen needing an overhaul as we transi- tion from oil, presumably there are parallels here. Other All football-mad eighties kids remember those late-night glamorous destinations of mine range from Groningen European highlights and avidly reading up on Pittodrie to Monaco - both built 20,000-seaters on tight footprints becoming the UK’s first all-seater stadium. This was with extensive facilities (casino, gym etc.) tucked away clearly no ordinary club or era. And after moving to Ab- underneath. Yes, something like that costs more but erdeen in 2000 and getting a season ticket (just in time earns more, too. Propose something ambitious and see for the Pele years) I understood that golden era better. what partners and sponsors it attracts. So, if no Aurora, Dick Donald and Chris Anderson were visionaries who I’d really like the club, the city and some smart architects saw Aberdeen’s potential far beyond that of a typical to get working together - does Aberdeen really have no provincial outfit. Anderson: “We are always looking for room for a stadium? Every team that stayed central got ways to improve everything about this club. We are told it was impossible. Even , with its astronom- determined Aberdeen shall be Scotland’s number one ical land values, manages it - Brentford, near Heathrow, club.” are moving just a mile.

Hopefully, that provides some context for aiming high. Even after almost five years of strong league finishes, Back in the seventies, the club transformed stadium cup finals and European adventures, average gates perceptions by going all-seater. This time round, the barely exceed 15,000. Whilst Westhill might work for vision could’ve been even bolder: put simply, to deliver many current punters (although maybe not those leav- the very best 20,000-seater in Europe. Bar none. Now, if ing the pub early for a shuttle bus), any move also needs all that sounds completely pie-in-the-sky, consider this: to think far ahead. Back in the eighties, Chris Anderson if some, say, Scandinavian club unveils an advanced, went on a learning mission to the States. OK, Ameri- bespoke arena, we’ll all be mightily impressed by their can sport gets stereotyped for over-commercialisation forward thinking. Then we’ll reflect why we didn’t do it and general cheesiness. In reality, many US cities have here first. 20,000-seater arenas with a great atmosphere – maybe pick up what works there? By contrast, a conventional Yes, Aurora looks kinda OK-ish (as CGI promos tend stadium out in the ‘burbs just feels like yesterday’s solu- to) but it’s still rather functional – twenty-five years tion - how exciting will it be to young fans in ten, twenty ago, League One Huddersfield committed to a bolder, years? award-winning design. And, what concessions might yet be necessary to get conventional Kingsford over the line Remember the guy who opposed the bypass? Even after - to minimise visual impact, could the height get reduced quitting Aberdeen, he was still using the legal process until it feels more Almondvale than Tynecastle? to block the whole thing. I’m not him. I’m not fighting Kingsford and, yes, it’ll probably be OK. But is ‘OK’ all we The initial plan to quit Pittodrie for Kingswells stalled want? Celtic are about to get another Champions League with the doomed Scotland-Ireland Euro 2008 bid. Lat- cash injection and (spoiler alert) Rangers will recover er, Loirston failed. But on both occasions, fans were soon enough. So, whilst even hanging on to second is unimpressed with leaving the city. So, why the enthu- going to be challenging, Aberdeen have, of course, over- siasm for Kingsford, the furthest location yet? Fatigue, achieved before - but only when they’ve dared to think probably: after previous knock-backs, many just want big. Anderson again: “I want Aberdeen to be the best to get on with it. Fair enough, but what if Kingsford team Scotland and able to compete on level terms with doesn’t happen?I’m not a Westhill resident. In fact, if the best in Europe.” Does a stadium on a par with done considerately, I’d support even better training and Brentford’s reflect that? community facilities there. (Euro 2016 proved that even a nation as small as Iceland can thrive when youngsters Words by Sanjoy Sen 50 years of Pittodrie

WORDS / Kevin Stirling 966 will always be a year that ‘sticks in the craw’ Juventus, Munchen Gladbach strutted their stuff. Eu- for any Scot. Not for a young seven-year-old oblivi- ropean football was far simpler then, free from the 1ous to what was going on down in Englandshire. A greed of the modern day. Of all the great European first visit to Pittodrie beckoned on the 21st September. nights’ one that sticks in the memory was not that long Morton were the opponents; so often the scourge of ago. in 2007 saw young Kevin enjoy what a far more slick and resilient Aberdeen in later years. his old man had taken for granted for years; watching Pittodrie under the lights would become a familiar Aberdeen doing what they did best and sweep aside a experience for this writer and bring so many memora- perceived superior European foe. Classic Euro clashes ble games in the coming years. Back in 1966 I thought define Pittodrie and what it stands for. A new stadium, it couldn’t get much better; the all red of Aberdeen grand as it may be will take another generation to build were bombarding Morton and cruising at 2-0 ahead. what Pittodrie has over the years. Just like the late great Unknown to me was that Aberdeen lost the first leg Alfredo Di Stefano declared in the aftermath of Aber- of their League Cup quarter final 3-1. Up stepped Jens deen’s finest hour; the club have a soul. Petersen in the last minute to send a screamer into the top corner. The noise from the near 20,000 crowd was While Europe has been kind to Aberdeen in many ways, deafening; this was the real thing. My late father bought on the domestic front Pittodrie has been the scene of me the traditional scarf and ‘bonnet’; the original Aber- some incredible moments. In the early days the new deen FC pin stripe no less; I was hooked. ‘tip up’ seats in the new Main Stand were brilliant for watching the Dons reserves, on a Saturday at 3pm; the Fifty years plus have come and gone since that balmy novelty never waned; tuning into the radio for news of night. A near lifetime of some fantastic highs and some the ‘big team’ with random cheers from the stand when real lows have come and gone and it looks like we will the Dons had scored away from home. all be saying our farewells to the old place. Pittodrie for me will always be the spiritual home. Generations of In the days before seating some huge crowds turned up Aberdeen followers have trodden that path down Merk- at Pittodrie. The 1967 cup replay against Hibernian was land Road, usually in hope and often expectation. chaotic. In today’s health and safety conscious times the HSE would have a field day. My father would tell me how as a young boy he would get into Pittodrie after saving his lemonade bottles to In 1970 the Dons boasted of the tightest defence in Brit- get the 3d to get into the ground. If the bottles were ain and if Joe weighed in with his usual goal then it was scarce then a more precarious route was taken climbing game over; classy times. over the wall at the corner, all to get a glimpse of the likes of the great Benny Yorston and latterly that great From the league titles in the 1980’s to the relegation Black & Gold side with Willie Mills and Matt Armstrong. battles of 1969 and 1995, in between it has been the delight when the Dandies put it right up ’s For me my first hero was the great Joe Harper. I first got finest that provided some of the most enthralling mo- his autograph as a Morton player in 1969. Several weeks ments at the old place. So many to choose from but the later he was signing again, but this time on an Aberdeen rivalry that evolved between Aberdeen and Glasgow’s contract. Joe went on to become a real legend at Pit- finest in the 1980’s was frenetic and at times quite ugly. todrie and also a good friend. Certain players just ‘fit’ Fortress Pittodrie stood firm as a succession of Celtic at Aberdeen. Joe epitomised what that meant. He ‘got’ and old Rangers sides were swept aside; cuffed and sent Aberdeen and what it meant to play for this great club. on their way as an imperious Aberdeen were not going He still does and it’s great to still see Joe on match days. away any time soon.

So in the past fifty years what has been the best game? Pittodrie back then was very different from what we Too tough to single out one game but when the club see today as the stadium is in the last few years of its declared the win over Bayern Munich in 1983 was Pit- existence. Was it better in the 60’s and 70’s with open todrie’s greatest night, it is on reflection hard to argue terraces and huge crowds? Perhaps not. Soon enough a against that. Having been in the imposing Olympic Stadi- new ‘Pittodrie’ will emerge once the club break through um for the first leg, Pittodrie offered a proper contrast; the political barriers in their way. New memories and it was a night of magic and mayhem. traditions to seek, for this scribe it will be a step too far.

The great European nights of which Pittodrie has be- come so renowned for perhaps started in 1970 with the visit of Honved; a side that will evoke memories for an older generation than mine. Then the likes of Super Joe Lewis

WORDS / Jack Thomson IMAGE / Scott Baxter - @scottscb scottcameronbaxter.com ow the f**k did he do that?” I exhaled, as the ball campaign when it became clear that Aberdeen have went whistling past the junction of bar and post. on their books a goalkeeper to rival Bobby Clark, Jim HHe picked himself up, calmly issued an instruc- Leighton and Peter Kjaer. tion and set himself for the following corner, without so much as a suggestion that what he had just done was And, while the goalkeeper might have had the very anything other than ordinary. But it was the opposite, it occasional hiccup, namely the 3-0 league cup defeat to was quite literally a touch of brilliance. Motherwell, supporters can once again feel comfortable that the sticks are carefully guarded. Lewis seems to The collective sigh of relief seemed to reverberate have all the requisite attributes to fulfil the role for years around the home of the Scottish Rugby Union as Aber- to come and, importantly, that seems to be his wish deen’s Joe Lewis, once again, confirmed his status as the following his signing of a new deal in the summer. country’s finest stopper. Jamie Walker had all the time in the world and after some familiar defending from an Perhaps it isn’t ground breaking material to be com- imbalanced back three, he picked his spot, only to be mending the goalkeeper, given how he has captured met with the outstretched arm of the goalkeeper. the hearts of the Aberdeen faithful with his assured performances but good players deserve the recognition. Returning to the summer of 2016, however, supporters Lewis’ ability to control his penalty area helps both the could be forgiven for exuding player in front of him and the a feeling of scepticism. Still -re fans behind him rest easy, his covering from the premature, smart distribution enables the and season-defining, loss of “Aberdeen have side to transition from defence Danny Ward, another relative- to attack both swiftly and -effi ly unknown quantity arrived on their books a ciently, and his shot-stopping can through the doors of Pittodrie. be the difference between no With a hardly enamouring points and three. That should be background in the football goalkeeper celebrated. league, all that separated the goalkeeper’s CV from Stuart Having pulled our hair out about Nelson, Mark Howard or Scott to rival the number one jersey for a Brown was a brief inclusion in number of years, it’s utterly a diluted Fabio Capello Eng- refreshing for Dandies to see land squad. Bobby Clark, Jim a job fulfilled so effortlessly. It is significant for supporters to But then he pulled on the know that when there is a need gloves, and it all changed. Leighton and to manage games, and our box Nothing particularly re- is being barraged with long balls, markable happened on his that there is a goalkeeper willing competitive debut, a home Peter Kjaer.” and able to calmly pluck the ball victory over Fola Esch in the from the air. Europa League qualifying round, although one moment was perhaps more tell- Joe Lewis is arguably the best goalkeeper Aberdeen has ing than it seemed at the time. During a break in play, had in a number of years, and provides a solid founda- Lewis jogged towards the halfway line and relayed his tion to the spine that every football team needs. thoughts to centre half pairing Andy Considine and Ash Taylor, establishing a line of communication. It was a simple expression, which reflected much more about the goalkeeper’s persona and quality than the former and Peterborough United player had probably ever intended.

From that point on, we have all marvelled at his perfor- mances. Whether it was the fingertip that denied , the reaction save to frustrate Walker in a 1-0 win at Tynecastle, or the plucking from the air of an Ofir Marciano header in the semi-final, there were numerous occasions in the goalkeeper’s debut Stand Free The Origins

WORDS / Alex Giles IMAGE / Scott Baxter - @scottscb scottcameronbaxter.com tand free wherever you may be, come from and what does it actually mean? We are the famous Aberdeen, SWe don’t give a f*ck whoever you may be, The truth is with all football songs it’s not exactly possi- We are the famous Aberdeen... ble to know 100% as so many people make claims about it being from this or coming from that. The saying ‘Stand Free’ has become synonymous with Aberdeen Football Club and it’s a saying we hold close The most accepted origin for ‘Stand Free’ is one you will to our hearts and say with pride. In issue one of this probably have heard before and it’s the one told to me very fanzine the two GREAT articles from Ally Begg and by several people I asked and a couple of them have Martin Stone were both signed off using it and most really close links to the club and it’s the following. importantly we belt it out every game from the terraces and stands whether home or away but where does the ‘Stand Free’ appeared during the Fergie era when we saying and song come from, when did we start using it were doing so well both home and in Europe and the and why? fans had a lot to sing about. It’s said that whilst there was religious, racism and social bigotry rife throughout My first visit to Pittodrie was the late 80’s, the 13th -De Scotland especially the and cember 1988 to be precise for Alex McLeish’s testimoni- we were having none of it. al match. I was ten years old and have no clue if ‘Stand Free’ was sang at the match but to me it has always Aberdeen FC stands free of all religious and social big- just kind of been there. I ‘m a middle aged so there will otry and there’s no place as far as we are concerned for be older supporters who can this in football, we stand free of remember a time when it was all your bigotry sing songs and not sang but for me it’s always “Stand Free chants because that is not why just been there and I’ve always we love and support our club. wondered about it. wherever you No matter where the song There are various theories about originated for us it certainly the origin of ‘Stand Free’ and has taken on the last meaning there are a few different stories may be, we are of standing free of bigotry and about where people think it we fans are proud of that but it came from. For instance, some means more. people think it’s from the trade the famous union movement in the early It means PRIDE in our club. It 20th century. A class struggle means PRIDE in our players. between the middle class club Aberdeen” It means PRIDE in our fans. It owners/board members and means PRIDE in our history. It the poorer workers from the shipyards, mills and fishing means PRIDE in the song. It means ABERDEEN FOOT- boats. They believed there was a level of social exclusion BALL CLUB! made when they made covered and seated stands so the poorer could no longer afford the games. There are a few songs that get the Pittodrie faithful and the away hard-core fans in full voice like ‘One man and Some people think we just stole it from Chelsea or his dog’, ‘The northern lights’ and ‘Come on you reds’ Tottenham who have both at some point in the last half but for me it’s ‘Stand Free’ that gets me going the most. century sang a version called ‘Care Free’ and that it’s just another football song. When it starts, when you hear it, we stand and sing. It’s not a shout like ‘Come on you reds’ or a bounce like ‘Ten I’ve seen it said that it belonged to that times which was Men Went to Mow’ but a hair standing up, spine tingling great on the pitch but we would rather not mention the collaboration with all our fellow dandies. It’s a chest out stuff that happened off it. There wasn’t just Aberdeen song of pride in all things Aberdeen and it is spectacular. casuals but all football teams seemed to have some kind of group or “firm” involved with hooliganism. It’s The Stand Free display at the Scottish Cup was jaw claimed In the 80’s the song ‘Stand Free’ was originally dropping and rightly so got all the plaudits and praise it sang by the AFC casuals as to say they would stand and deserved, when you couple it with the fans singing the take on all comers with no running away. song it was one of my favourite moments as a fan.

However, what is the real answer, where does it really Stand Free. Q&A With: So, what is Dons Supporters Together? and post-match. This is our greatest responsibility to date: ensuring the club understand just how important Dons Supporters Together (DST) is the only AFC support- this move is to supporters and making sure they know ers group committed to giving supporters, our mem- what fans want and expect from our new ground (if bers, a greater influence in the boardroom. We were approved!). established in 2003 as the AFC Trust before a 2012 re- Q&A branding to better represent our role and image within the wider Aberdeen-supporting community. What obstacles have you found most frustrating with DST? Very well but like half of Pittodrie used to ask about a certain centre midfielder, what do DST actually do? The two major difficulties that affect us are actually We, a committee of 8 Dons fans who sit on the board, intertwined; 1) our membership tally and 2) the club not meet in person every couple months and talk inces- always listening. We’re under no illusions that we need santly in email and Whatsapp in an attempt to make a to grow our membership and that with this our voice With: difference. We’ve all our individual views and we don’t will be respected more within the club. We’ve got a always agree but we’re committed to the one common decent relationship with them but it needs to be better. goal of ensuring AFC supporters are well represented. The fans need to be heard and involved more. There’s no hidden agendas or individual aims. The other major obstacle is time. Each of us on the board live in the North-east but we all work full-time What have been your finest recent with families and other commitments. Football is so achievements? fast-moving it’s difficult to answer a media call, update social media or add to the website while also at the day job! We’ve done a fair bit which we can be proud of. The sta- dium survey we created and reported last year has been widely used by fans and the club. We’ve helped support How much exactly do the club listen to and manage the funds for the Display Team, helped DST’s ideas and concerns then? ensure the club appointed an SLO, put on fan events at the Blue Lamp, got Scotrail to introduce more ‘specials’ That depends. As mentioned briefly, the club used our as well as welcoming Paul Goodwin (SFSA director) and survey on the stadium and were grateful for our re- Jacob Rosler (former Union Berlin fan rep’) to present in search- so much so that some results were used in the Aberdeen. application submitted to the council. We’ve not met We also pass on supporter feedback to the club, most with anyone from the club since May when a few of us recently about the lack of loyalty point use in Cyprus, discussed ticket prices after we’d questioned their strat- ticket rises and of course the stadium. We’re also com- egy. We’re awaiting a date from George to meet again. mitted to ensuring Scottish football is corruption free In our opinion, the clubs viewpoint on most things come and have been vocal about this to our members and the too much from a business perspective, which we can all club. To get such a response (25k votes + 100k’s impres- understand to a point, but they must look from a sup- sions) to our Twitter poll and statement about Rangers porters perspective too. A football club is like no other was pretty mental. Oh, we’ve a new website too! business, the fans (the consumers) are absolutely imper- ative. Cliché as it is, no fans = no club. The stadium is obviously a major talk- ing point right now as touched on there, What are DST’s current and eventual what’s your stance? aims?

We’ve openly backed Kingsford in the past and continue The current focus is all on Kingsford. If the council grant to do so. This is on the basis of our research showing approval then we expect communication with the club that it’s what the majority of AFC supporters want. As about what the supporters want and expect from the individuals, we’ll be sad to see the back of Pittodrie but new stadium. If it’s a no from the council then the fans we recognise it’s time to move on and fully back the deserve to know what the plan is. In the background proposed plans. If done right Kingsford could be abso- we’re still discussing the ‘big tax case’ with supporters lutely brilliant and as a new-build starting from scratch, and can’t believe how well the carpet is being swept, so it should be. Steep stands and plenty safe-standing to speak. Imperatively, we need to continue to grow our which are conducive to great atmospheres would be membership and visibility and long-term we’d ideal, along with ample space for fans to gather pre love to see a supporter represented on the board. How many members have DST now got? With thanks to the Dons Supporters Together for taking part in the Q&A. You can follow them on twitter We’re currently sitting at around 2,250 members. Con- @DonsSupporters Facebook - Dons Supporters Together sidering how large our fan-base is, as well as how easy and their email is [email protected]. If it is to join us, we know there’s potential for massive you are considering joining as a member for free then growth. That’s still around 20% of season ticket holders head to “www.donssupporterstogether.com”. though which isn’t bad going.

Finally, just how easy is it join DST and why should any Dandy do so? Sell it to us!

Just go to our website, fill out the form and click submit. That’s it. Any Aberdeen fan of any age or address can do it and it’s absolutely free. Keep the ‘Receive email updates’ ticked to join the mailing list too. Members are first to get news, event invitations and our POTM polls. Our membership total is also a barometer for how engaged Dons fans are and how much desire there is to influence change. While we love engaging with so many fans on Twitter, our social media numbers don’t mean much to AFC. Its members we require to have an influence in the boardroom. Quite honestly, we see no disadvantage to a Dandy joining us. We’ve no agendas and simply recognise the need for supporters to be listened to by the club we all love. We’re open to anything and absolutely welcome any comments, just get in touch. The Wider Point of View: Refereeing

Words / Lewis Birrell he definition of a good Scottish football referee; Referees subtly appeasing the is a notion TMust be fair, must be consistent, must award Celtic which I feel is all too often swept under our game’s or Rangers a dubious penalty wherever possible! tartan carpet. So much so, that fans and management of provincial teams are resigned to it, and often employ a I jest, of course, but our game has been awash with humorous outlook to the situation! After Motherwell’s ropey refereeing since the curtain was drawn back only 1-1 draw at Ibrox last season, Stephen Robinson, a man a matter of weeks ago. Rangers felt that Motherwell’s who hasn’t spent much of his career in Scotland, com- Louis Moult was lucky to remain on the pitch in their mented that the referee had “50,000 people making the league opener before new Ibrox recruit, Ryan Jack decisions for him.” received a dubious red card in their next league fixture against Hibs. I’m by no means suggesting that there is a conscious agenda against 40 of Scotland’s 42 clubs! This is merely It’s no family secret that Scotland’s men in black are a psychological thing. Although they undoubtedly do try prone to some unorthodox, bizarre and quite simply to remain as neutral as possible, it’s human nature to some bad calls! Clyde 1’s weeknight phone-in pro- select the action which will ultimately give you the least gramme, Super scoreboard is awash with Old Firm amount of grief. When faced with a call of upsetting tit-for-tat revolving around supposed officiating con- 50,000 people and having your decision-making ana- spiracies against each side of the divide. The Old Firm is lysed on Clyde 1 for days to come, or temporarily upset- an age-old soap opera, where plots such as a Religious ting a smattering of Hamilton fans over in the corner, Studies teacher at a catholic school turning down Rang- there’s really only going to be one winner. ers’ claims for a soft penalty have become as tragic and predictable as Steve McDonald’s love life. Officiating is even a contentious topic amongst our cash-laden neighbours south of the border. Manchester When asked by my good pal, Ryan, to write this piece United manager, Jose Mourinho has a long and gloomy for an online magazine based around a provincial Scot- history with England’s whistle blowers. Most recently, in tish club, I felt compelled to touch on the all too little 2015 he was charged by the FA for claiming that there mentioned fact, that believe it or not, the 40 other SPFL was a conspiracy against his Chelsea side. However, this clubs in Scotland also shoulder the burden. is the same man who reckoned that Barcelona, Unicef and Spanish Referees had a three-way agenda against Those of you who form a part of the Dons’ sizeable him. Mourinho’s ludicrous claims are similar in a lot central belt contingent will doubtless be able to relate of ways to what we suffer from Old Firm associates in to what I’m saying all too well. In conversation with our Scotland. In his role as manager of teams such as Chel- Old Firm supporting friends (all of whom have roots in sea and Manchester United, two of English football’s Parkhead and Govan respectively, of course!), it be- powerhouses, it’s hard to believe that referees are comes unpalatable to listen to their regurgitated tales actively favouring Burnley, and Huddersfield of Bobby Madden giving up his Rangers season ticket over his teams. In fact, you’d likely find that supporters seemingly only to demean Celtic at any given opportu- of provincial English teams utter the same musings at nity, or a Religious Studies teacher daring to dish out a Stamford Bridge and as we do on trips to deserved yellow card to a Rangers player. Try explaining Parkhead and Ibrox. to them about the Linesman’s sheer incompetence at Motherwell vs Aberdeen earlier that afternoon, you’ll The issues we face in Scotland seem to be prevalent be met by a blatant lack of interest in the topic. I mean, around the world, although we naturally place our own what agenda could the team of officials possibly be situation under a microscope. We can introduce all the adhering to there? video technology, Sin bins and extra officials we like, but the reality is that Scottish Football will always be On the contrary, I am inclined to say that us followers dominated by tales of conspiracy and bias. In a country of “Diddy teams” are actually the biggest victims of our such as ours, where much of the footballing landscape countries farcical officiating. I’m sure you’ll agree that is divided passionately by politics and religion, the man on our teams’ respective visits to Parkhead and Ibrox, standing in the middle sporting his whistle is always it feels as if the referee panders to the Glaswegians at going to take flack. every possible opportunity. How often do you watch your players being visibly rag-dolled at the hands of an It’s easy to be drawn into believing that it’s only the Old Firm player and find yourself turning to your com- countries two biggest clubs which are influenced by rades with a comment ala “If that was down the other lackadaisical officiating in Scotland. Let’s not forget how end, they’d have got the foul!” difficult it is for the 40 wee men to catch a break when facing the hysteria surrounding Scotland’s big two! IMAGE / Scott Baxter - @scottscb scottcameronbaxter.com

VIEW FROM THE TERACES Great Dons Mavericks Words by Kevin Rinchey - @broomhilldons

When you look for the defi- undoubted talent are indented as Stan Bowles or George Best. nition of maverick in the dic- in Dons folklore. There is no And yes, unlike the others I tionary you get such words as: TV footage of his Dons career talk about he won trophies individualist, unusual, unfamil- but anecdotal recounts tell of with the Dons; Scottish Cup in iar, unorthodox and free spirit. “the most talented player ever 1970 and the 1976 League Cup When you think of a maver- to pull on a Dons shirt” and a where he scored the winning ick in football terms many of goal in 1973 in a 3-2 defeat to goal (from a yard) in extra these words also apply. They Celtic described by those that time. 5 Scottish caps all gained may not have gained the most saw it as a 30-yard lobbing in the same year (1971) re- appearances, goals or honours of the keeper from the touch membered unfairly for a poor for a club. They may not have line! His football career itself performance in a 3-1 defeat at been judged as the best player is classic maverick stuff. De- Wembley. He was seen as an in a team but for some reason fection to West Germany from “enforcer” by many managers. these mavericks were taken to Communist Hungary where he I remember the support in the heart of the support and giv- had played for Ferencvarosi Beach End when I was a kid en some sort of cult status or and gained a gold medal for talking about “Davie Robbing mystique. the Hungarian national team you”. I think I know what they in 1964. Embroiled and subse- meant in the more physical In my forty odd years of sup- quently banned for a betting days of 70’s football? He could porting the Dons we have had scandal while playing for Her- though score sublime goals these types, not the Gothen- tha Berlin. Fleeting mercurial for example his double against burg greats, and apart from stint with the Dons to kick Motherwell in his final sea- one I will talk about, usually start his career and a transfer son with AFC at Pittodrie, this they have no honours and few to Ajax to replace a Barcelona despite being a chain smoker, appearances. I have picked bound Cruyff. He finished his sometimes smoking in the four who have worn the red days coaching in his native dugout when sub! He left dur- and white, who when support- Hungary and died in 2010. ing the 77/78 season to join ers talk about them, eyes light However, especially for those the “soccer” revolution in the up and unusual recollections that saw him, the Varga legend new North American Soccer start. You may disagree, or lives on in Aberdeen. League where he played for have your own but here are such teams as the Tampa Bay my Dons mavericks. Rowdies and Philadelphia Fury. Davie Robb 1966- 78 App Stories of late night parties 251 Goals 77 with Sinatra and Sammy Davis Zoltán Varga 1972-73 App Jr, drinks with Beckenbau- 26 Goals 10 er, Pelé and Cruyff and most He wasn’t always the fans famously alleged trysts with favourite when compared to Olivia Newton John and Stevie I have a confession I never saw players like Joe Harper but ar- Nicks send him off the mav- him play live. He had left a guably Davie (the brush) Robb erick righter scale! As far as I year before I graced the Pittod- has a career that would rival know Davie is now retired out rie terraces but his story and any famous past maverick such Banchory way. Next, I’ve jumped to the 90s. to England with Oldham Ath- interest in literature and art. What, miss out on our most letic in 94. The local Aberdeen In the summer of 2001 he was successful period in the club’s music scene also lost a talent gone as quickly as he arrived as history I hear you ask? Look as his drumming skills could he was transferred to Besiktas most of the 80’s players are often be seen in music venues of Turkey for around £200k. To legends but mavericks? Ok, around the Granite city such as further enhance his full maver- Rougvie probably should be the Blue Lamp where he had ick status, he has been back to included in a future article but joined a local band. Sadly, too Aberdeen on many occasions I’ll leave the 80s to another short a time in a Dons shirt for to promote his grizzly success- kind of analysis. “Rico” and as his managerial ful crime thrillers as he is now a career continued later, when full time respected author. Just asked about his time at the think how successful he would Lee Richardson 1992-94 Dons, he always stated that he have been in a Dons shirt if had App 64 Goals 8 felt he left too early. been able to time his runs to beat the offside trap?

I would bet that most Dons Arild Stavrum 1999-2001 fans would not have heard of App 54 Goals 26 Well there are my four maver- Lee before his transfer from icks. You may disagree with my Blackburn Rovers in the sum- picks and I’m sure you will have mer of 1992. His long hair and A controversial choice over your own. Not sure if Derek rough beard already gave him such players as the sadly de- McIness’ current squad have the look of a maverick but his parted Zerouali in a pretty any potential mavericks? Most midfield battling qualities as unsuccessful period for the players now are too profession- well as an eye for a defence Dons, but when you look at the al to allow true maverick status splitting pass and an occasional full package of Arild then it just to develop. Maybe I’m wrong? long-range goal endeared him screams maverick. He was Nor- Has Kari Arnason got a novel quickly to the Dons faithful. wegian, quite slow, hunched, burning within him? On the pitch highlights consist- long haired (seems a recur- has got exceedingly long hair! ed of being in a midfield that ring theme with mavericks) Watch this space?! came second to Rangers in all and must hold the record for competitions in 92/93, scor- a Dons player getting caught ing what turned out to be a offside?! But in a poor team he cracking conciliation goal in the scored goals. Important ones Scottish Cup final at Parkhead as well in Skovdahl’s teams un- and an even better superlative likely passage to two cup finals 35-yard screamer in the Cup in 2000. Off the pitch we saw Winners Cup 2nd leg against many unusual Stavrum inci- Italian “cracks” Torino at a dents. As a result of a spat with packed Pittodrie. He was never the Evening Express’s Charlie short of saying his bit in the Allan the reporter received press about what he perceived some of Arild’s hair in an enve- as referee bias for the old firm lope after a visit to the barber players compared to him who for his new skinhead look. He he thought was being targeted wrote a rather entertaining col- by officials. He sighted this as umn for a national newspaper the main reason he returned where he also alluded to his The Rise of Scott Wright Words by Lewis Michie - @LewisMichie0 The potential of Scott Wright hasn’t Scott long to adjust to the demands – much of the dons faithful are be a secret to any Aberdeen who of first team football. Similarly, scratching their heads thinking how has paid much attention to the don’s Scott has been capped 21 one times the club can attract more fans. The youth setup in recent years. Howev- at youth level for Scotland. Having dons have had some really successful er, Wright certainly did announce already played for the under 17’s and seasons under Derek Mcinnes and himself to any fans otherwise un- under 19’s, Scott has also recently that has improved attendances, how- aware at the tail end of last season. made his debut for Scot Gemmill’s ever, as locals get used to watching a Since the kick off of the 17/18 season under 21’s. Described by Derek winning side, something else may be Scott has shown last season was any- Mcinnes in a Red TV interview as a needed to draw in more supporters. thing but a fluke and that has plenty “natural ball carrier” Wright’s natu- Wright provides a very exciting style onlookers pondering what Wright’s ral pace and athleticism paired with of play and as shown so far this sea- ceiling must be and weather the a keenness to run directly at defend- son the youngest has bags of skills youngster offers advantages in more ers and look towards goal provides and must have a pretty impressive ways than one. a specific type of threat that is quite nutmeg per game ratio by now. This simply difficult to find. is the type of play that gets bums off Since being handed his debut in seats and with bring- a Europa League qualifier against Two crucial factors in how players ing a similar style, this might just be Daugava Riga in 2014, many Ab- perform are the player’s morale and what is needed to draw some more erdeen fans have been clamour- how they link up with their team- eyes to what is happening at Pittod- ing for more chances to see one mates. Both of these factors would rie – especially younger supporters of the clubs youth products Scott appear that they are not worries for who might need something a little Wright in an Aberdeen shirt. The Scott Wright. Since the start of the more extravagant to keep them 20 year old winger has had to be season it has appeared Scott has interested. very patient in waiting for chances; been enjoying his football and the however, the youngster did make urgency with which Wright looks to Wright’s current ability is clear and a brief appearance in the Scottish receive the ball would suggest just at the age of 20 there will be plenty Cup Final against Celtic thanks to that. Additionally, Wright has shown of hope that he can build on that his performance against Partick a clear connection with his team- ability and unlock even more poten- Thistle in the league, where Wright mates. Capable of playing on both tial. At the moment you would have smashed in a hat trick. With the sides, both Andy Considine and to suggest there must be plenty more departures of both Johnny Hayes are already picking out for Wright to achieve at Pittodrie. and Niall McGinn this past summer, passes to Wright as he makes runs The growth of Scott Wright and talk Derek Mcinnes has found himself down the wing and Wright’s play of potential however will leave alarm searching for players to fill in his with Ryan Christie in particular is a bells ringing in the ears of many wide areas. Both Greg Stewart and joy to watch. The win against Partick dandies. A pacey young winger be- Gary Mackay-Steven have arrived at Thistle last season was just a small ing tempted away to England would Pittodrie but it’s clear they will have preview of the two young player’s not be a new thing for Aberdeen a tough job holding down first team abilities to connect together, as the fans to experience, with memories positions with Wright breathing two ran the show, sharing five of the of ’s move to Bourne- down their necks, showing his excit- six goals between them. mouth still fresh in the minds of ing abilities against Appollon Limas- our supporters. While it’s obviously sol, Hamilton and Partick Thistle One massive positive of the way hard to predict what Scott Wright’s early this season. Scott Wright plays that might not be future may hold, it’s evident he has as obvious is his potential to bring the potential to be a very effective Scott, who was brought up close to more supporters to games. With the and joyful player to watch. Let’s just Aberdeen in Balmedie has already club slowly crawling to 11 thousand hope that future involves playing in made 24 appearances for the dons season ticket holders, a number an Aberdeen shirt. and with seven goals and two assists which probably won’t be reached in that time it certainly hasn’t taken until half season tickets come in A Difference in Attack Words by Andrew Smith - @andrewsmith_99 Nine minutes in and Mikey tension of Ryan Christie’s loan have been before. Devlin slides a goal into the and the talent of Scott Wright, back of Joe Lewis’s net at what McInnes has potentially de- Throughout this piece I have was then New . veloped a team with the most completely neglected our top With eighty-one minutes of the attacking prowess in his time at goal scorer for the previous ninety remaining, the Aberdeen Pittodrie. couple of seasons, name- faithful remained confident that ly . Recently I a victory would not be out with While McGinn and Hayes were have heard people questioning the team’s reach. Pass it wide, fantastic players, we relied on whether he has a place at Aber- get it to McGinn, beat the full them too heavily for moments deen and I strongly believe he back and swing it in the box. A of magic to win us the game does. Against teams like Ham- tactic which has reaped re- and teams began to develop ilton and Ross County, teams wards for Aberdeen, especially systems to cope with their pace who we have perhaps struggled with the pace of Hayes and the and directness. This meant that to break down in recent times it directness of Niall McGinn but when we had to develop anoth- would be extremely interesting when the team came across an er system to breach the oppo- to see how Rooney and May opposition side who seem ca- nents defence we were often worked together in a 4-4-2 sys- pable of neutralising the threat left struggling to find a way tem with May just off of Roon- in the wings then the team, at through. However, in the cur- ey, a combination which has the times, looked to have no other rent team we have pace down potential to be deadly against Ideas, even with the creativity the wings in Mackay-Steven any team in Scotland. of Ryan Christie. This meant and Wright. If Mackay-Steven that the Dons left New Douglas can rediscover the form he Since McInnes and his team ar- Park frustrated at only having enjoyed at Dundee United he rived at Aberdeen we have been three shots on target for the could quite possibly be one of treated to a series of fantastic whole game. the most influential parts in the seasons, even managing to grab Aberdeen machine. By taking some silverware along the way. Perhaps this is an unfair reflec- on players and stretching the Perhaps, with the attacking tion on the team as wee Jonny midfield he doesn’t only offer threat we now carry we’ll be Hayes was not in the squad for us a similar directness that able to grab some more tro- the game, but one team should McGinn did but he is able to phies over the coming months not rely so heavily on one or make space for the players in as well. two players such as we perhaps the middle of the park, such as have done over the last couple Stevie May and Ryan Christie to of seasons which brings me float into goal scoring positions. nicely onto the main point of the article. But what happens when teams and players adapt to cope with As Jonny and Niall left many us in the wings as they did factions of the support were left last season? With the constant wondering what sort of players goal threat of Stevie May in the McInnes would bring in to fill middle of the park and Chris- such big boots, and McInnes tie’s uncanny ability to set up a did not to disappoint. With the goal from nowhere, we are now additions of Stewart, Mack- a much stronger threat through ay-Steven, Tansey, May, the ex- the middle of the park than we A Red Point of View