Inside Left.net

In the first of a regular series, we’ll be taking a look at each of the clubs that make up the Scottish senior divisions. Today we start with a team close to Inside Left’s heart. Follow us north to the Granite City as we take a look at one of the more successful teams outside of the  Old Firm: Aberdeen FC.

Who Are Ya?
Aberdeen FC where formed in 1903 from the merger of three local sides Orion, Victoria United and Aberdeen. The new club played its first match on August 15, 1903, a 1–1 draw with Stenhousemuir.

Past Glories
There have been two periods in Aberdeen’s history which would be included in any ‘Best Of’ compilation. For one, there was the period between 1953 and 1956 when, after reaching (and losing) two Scottish Cup finals in 1953 and 1954, Aberdeen finally won the league for the first time in 1956. The second was the period under Alex Ferguson, a period roughly from 1979 to 1986. In that time Aberdeen rose to prominence, winning the league three times, the Scottish Cup four times as well as the Cup Winners Cup and the European Super Cup in 1983.

During the early eighties, Aberdeen together with Dundee United formed the ‘New Firm’ and competed fiercely with the Old Firm for dominance in the Scottish league. For a few years they kept the Old Firm at bay, but it wouldn’t last; since 1987 normal service has resumed in Scottish top flight football.

Low Point
Willie Miller’s last season in charge, in which Aberdeen had to rely on a play-off victory over Dunfermline Athletic to stay in the league proved that former legends don’t always make for legendary managers. And if that wasn’t bad enough, finishing bottom of the league in 2000 was probably worse, only Falkirk’s ramshackle stadium saving Aberdeen from relegation. Mediocre managers (Ian Porterfield, Steve Paterson, Alex Miller) and some shocking results (Bohemians, Skonto Riga, Vilnius and Barry Town, plus the 5-0 demolition at the hands of St Johnstone and more recently the cup exit to Queen of the South) have pretty much taken the shine of the past glories. Basically, since Ferguson left to go to Manchester United, apart from a Scottish Cup win and two league Cups (the last of which being over 12 years ago), there’s not been much to cheer.

Have you heard of ..?
Alex McLeish, Gordon Strachan and Marc McGhee? All where part of the team that won much success during the early 80’s and which went on to various degrees of success as managers in both Scotland and England. Martin Buchan who played in defence for Manchester United for many years started out at Aberdeen, while Spurs and Barcelona legend Steve Archibald made 76 appearances for the Dons, scoring 30 goals between 1977 and 1980. Aberdeen where also once managed by Eddie Turnbull, one of the “Famous Five” Hibernian forward line of the 50’s and 60’s.

Stand up if you hate …
Aberdeen’s nearest rivals are Dundee United with whom they formed the ‘New Firm’ in the 80’s. Recently Aberdeen have not fared so well against United, incurring some heavier-than-normal losses along the way. The biggest rivals though remain Rangers. Games between these two are traditionally very explosive, both on as well as off the pitch. Reasons for this are many, but most point to the gruesome tackle on Ian Durrant by Neil Simpson during a game between the two in 1988, that nearly ended Ian Durant’s career.

Last Season
Last season was relatively successful by modern-day Aberdeen standards. A fourth place finish on account of a good final day result against Rangers (that also deprived the Ibrox side of the title) and results elsewhere going their way. European competition, courtesy of the UEFA Cup was short, the Dons being unfortunate to be drawn in a group with Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid. Despite being undefeated at home in Europe (a 4-0 win over Copenhagen and a 2-2 draw against Bayern) away results proved the undoing and they failed to qualify for the next round.

Next Season
A big clear-out in underway at Pittodrie, as manager Jimmy Calderwood looks to rebuild the squad following the departures of influential captain Russell Anderson and Barry Nicholson. Already gone are backup goalie Derek Soutar and defender Richie Byrne. Jackie McNamara was disappointing this season and his departure will not be missed. Keeping Lee Miller was a real boost for Calderwood and Alan Maybury will provide good cover in defence. Captain Scott Severin has had a good season having played both in midfield and recently in defence with Zander Diamond. If they can convince Birmingham (now managed by Alex McLeish) and Middlesbrough to let Sone Aluko and Josh Walker stay at Pittodrie for another season, together with finding a replacement for Barry Nicholson in midfield, Aberdeen should look forward to next season.

Their real weakness: consistency. Beating Rangers is all very well, but those defeats to United as well as that terrible defeat to Queen of the South is just not good enough.

Extra Time
Did you know that Aberdeen are the last team outside of Glasgow to win the league. That was back in 1986. Another nugget to drop in while talking to Rangers and Celtic fans is that Aberdeen are still the only club in Scotland to have won more than one European trophy. Lastly, to really push it over the edge, why not mention that Pittodrie was Britain’s first ever all-seater stadium and is also where the dugout was invented after coach Don Coleman needed somewhere to shelter from the north east rain.

Club Information

Ground Info: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen (capacity 22,199)
Web Site : Aberdeen FC
Fan Site : Aberdeen Mad!

Related posts:

1. Aberdeen puncture Hull (1-0)
2. Aberdeen slump to new European low.
3. Jim Leighton leaves Aberdeen
4. Aberdeen: it’s just not good enough
5. Preview: Falkirk v Aberdeen

Tags: Who Are Ya?

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 at 1:35 pm and is filed under Who Are Ya?. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.