Aberdeen Football Club Greats

HARRY YORSTON
If the family tradition was to continue when Harry Yorston joined Aberdeen in 1947, then the Aberdeen supporters would be in for a treat. Harry’s second cousin Benny was a prolific and record scorer for Aberdeen in the late 20’s. Idols come and go, but invariably goalscorers are perhaps more fondly revered. As Lee Miller carves out his own piece of Pittodrie history these days, back in the post war football ‘boom’ days, players like Yorston were afforded special treatment from adoring supporters. It can be argued that local players often have to pull out that little bit extra to win over the support. Yorston certainly came into that category having spent his boyhood growing up in Park Road, a mere stone’s throw from Pittodrie Park. Having learned his trade in the cobbled streets around Pittodrie, Harry started out with local juvenile side St Clements before he was spotted by Aberdeen in 1946. While there was no doubting his potential, Yorston had to bide his time before making his debut for the Dons on Christmas Day 1947 against Third Lanark at Cathkin Park. The reason for the delay was due to Harry completing his stint in the National Service in Portsmouth. It was only when he was back in Aberdeen on leave that he made his first start. Some years later Yorston recalled his debut; “It was against Third Lanark at Cathkin as I had just came back up to Aberdeen on leave from the Army. The team had been struggling all season and George Hamilton was away to Hearts for a spell. I remembered the game well as I scored from the first corner kick of the game. Scoring after only five minutes gave me confidence and it was a great experience.” Less than a year later and with his spell in the Army completed, Yorston went on to establish himself in the side and he developed into the regular inside right in what was the old-style five man forward line. The role for Yorston and Bob Wishart on the left was an unforgiving one; the team back then was set up in a rigid two full backs, three forming a half-back line and five forwards. The Aberdeen forward line that lined up when they won the championship in 1955 was Graham Leggat and Jackie Hather on each wing with Paddy Buckley as a centre forward. Yorston and Wishart were seen as the vital link between the half backs and the forwards; in the modern game an offensive midfielder. When Harry was brought up watching the Dons in action his hero was George Hamilton, a true Aberdeen legend and Yorston would not only fill the breach in the Aberdeen side but he also played alongside his boyhood hero on many occasions before Hamilton hung up his boots in 1955. Aberdeen relied on a passing tradition that first emerged at Pittodrie in their formative years with the likes of Charlie O’Hagan and Willie Lennie. Yorston was happy to continue that style as he teamed up with Hamilton; “George was the elite player of that time and you could not help but score goals playing alongside him; we had a good partnership and we played the first style of one-twos as became a well known football term. It certainly worked.”
Coming from a football family was no burden for Yorston who was encouraged at a young age; “My father went to see Benny Yorston play and football had been in the family since the 1920’s. Although my father did not think I would be a professional, he still encouraged me to play to the best of my abilities. As a player I never really wanted to do things correctly. I would seize an opportunity and be that bit more unorthodox. It worked for me although sometimes I would have my good and bad games.” Being a local player Yorston carried the burden of expectation that comes with being one of Aberdeen’s own. Quite often he would be criticised for not doing things ‘correctly’. It was that style that made Yorston an exciting talent in his own right. In modern terms Yorston would be a superstar; he had the lot; from being an accomplished international player he also had the looks that saw him christened as the ‘Golden Boy’ at Pittodrie. In season 1949.50 Harry finished as the Dons top scorer with 17 goals from 35 appearances, a feat he repeated in 1952 with 25 from 37 matches. By 1953 the Dons side had changed beyond all recognition from the ageing cup winners of 1947 and Yorston was to play a vital role in the side that was on the threshold of success, although it was achieved when his boyhood hero George Hamilton was winding down a memorable career; “George was a legend and he never got the credit and the caps to salute his talent. He was a fabulous player and he could do anything with a ball; he could score with either foot and was marvellous in the air. He was also fearless; the ultimate player and he was a tremendous role model.”
Aberdeen reached successive Scottish Cup finals in 1953 and 1954 only to lose both to the Old Firm which was a huge disappointment for the club. In the 1953 final against Rangers it was Yorston’s superb equaliser that set the Dons up for their best chance to lift the cup; “Rangers lost their keeper through injury and when I managed to score we thought that we could go on and win the game. Despite the pressure and chances created it just wasn’t our day and after the 1-1draw we knew our best chance of winning had gone.” Despite the dejection felt at not winning the cup, Aberdeen bounced back by taking the clubs first championship in 1955; “We set off that season with a new team formed and after we had made a tremendous start to the league season I joked with some of the lads that if we kept this going we could be league champions! Some of them laughed but I knew that if we could get a run together then we would take some stopping. We were confident and we went into every game expecting to win. In that era we had Paddy Buckley, Graham Leggat and Jackie Hather; all very quick players. We would hit sides on the break which was virtually unheard of back then.”
As Aberdeen were enjoying more success, international recognition followed and Yorston won his one and only cap for Scotland in a 1-0 win over Wales in Cardiff on 16th October 1954. After helping Aberdeen to the title and the League Cup in 1955, it seemed that Yorston and the Dons could do little wrong. They went into the League Cup Final against St Mirren in October 1955 as the only undefeated team in Britain that season. After manager Dave Halliday left the club that year and the Dons were overlooked to take part in the new European Champions Cup, there then set in a slow decline in club fortunes as that great championship side began to break up. While the likes of captain jimmy Mitchell saw the years catch up with him and injury finally ended the careers of the likes of Paddy Buckley, Harry Yorston stunned the club by announcing he was retiring from the game at the age of 28 to take up employment as a fish market porter in the thriving fishing industry in Aberdeen. The reason given by Harry at the time was purely for financial reasons as despite Aberdeen players being paid around £20 per week which was as good as anything in British football, it was not as much as could be earned in the more lucrative fish markets in the city. Long before the days of the EEC and fish quotas, the North Sea provided a comfortable living for those fortunate enough to be involved as market porters back then. Others suggested that the years of criticism had weighed heavily on Harry and that he took the chance to begin a new career at still a relatively young age. He had achieved a lot with Aberdeen as a player and also played for his country at the highest level. The original ‘pin up’ of the 1950’s it was no doubt a great shock for the club when Yorston decided to give up professional football. Harry continued to play in the Highland League for some years before his luck continued in the 1970’s when he won a considerable sum of money on the football pools coupons. In an Aberdeen career that spanned 11 years, Harry Yorston played 277 competitive games for the Dons, scoring an impressive 141 goals. Harry Yorston passed away in 1995.

MATT ARMSTRONG

Born in Port Glasgow, Armstrong went on to become one of the best centre forwards in British football after making his debut for Aberdeen November 1931. It was on the back of the 'Great Mystery' at Pittodrie that handed matt his first team chance. Released by Celtic in 1931, Armstrong was snapped up by Aberdeen in July of that year. It was not until 1934 that Matt became a regular in the side and he forged a formidable partnership with Willie Mills in that great Black & Gold Aberdeen side of the 1930's. Armstrong finished as leading club scorer in four consecutive seasons and he had the distinction of becoming the first Aberdeen player to score in a Scottish Cup Final in 1937. The outbreak of the war in 1939 effectively ended his Aberdeen career although he did return to help the club during the war time period. Armstrong was also a full Scotland international, and he finished his career as a player coach at Highland League side Elgin City. Matt was also a 'well kaint' face around Pittodrie in the 1970's as he headed up the club's Pools Lottery.

MARTIN BUCHAN

Local player who was signed by Eddie Turnbull from Banks O' Dee in 1965. Buchan came from a footballing family as his father had previously played for the Dons during the war. Manager Turnbull used young Buchan in a variety of roles before he settled into a 'sweeper' role at the heart of the tightest defence the club has ever had. At the age of 21 he was given the captaincy of the club, his first game being a narrow 2-1 win over Clydebank in the Scottish Cup. Two months later in April 1970, Buchan became the youngest captain to win the Scottish Cup, a record that remains to this day. Buchan was the subject of transfer speculation throughout his Aberdeen career and he eventually signed for Manchester Utd in February 1972 for a club record £125,000. Buchan went on to win the FA Cup with Man Utd in 1977 and after 34 Scotland caps he welcomed Aberdeen to Old Trafford in August 1983 to play in his testimonial. Buchan remained in the Manchester area and currently works for the PFA in England.

BOBBY CLARK

One of Eddie Turnbull's first signings in 1965 as the new Aberdeen manager began to overhaul his squad. Clarke emerged as a keeper of great promise with Queens Park and he replaced John Ogston as the No1 at Pittodrie. Clark went on to become a full international gaining his first cap in 1967 and at one point he was the Dons most capped player on 17 caps. Clark won a full set of domestic medals at Aberdeen with him playing his part in the 1970 Scottish Cup, the 1976 League Cup and the 1980 Premier League triumphs. Born in Glasgow on 26thSeptember 1945, Clark also had an aborted spell as an outfield player after losing his place in the side in 1968. Clark returned to the side and added to his cap haul. In 1978 he received a testimonial from the club and after retiring from playing he embarked on a successful coaching career and is still working in the USA at Dartmouth College.

JOE HARPER

Club record scorer and one of a long line of great Aberdeen forwards. Harper had two spells with the Dons; his first came in October 1969 when the Dons paid Morton a club record £40,000 for his services. Harper was an immediate success and went on to open the scoring in the 1970 Scottish Cup Final that paved the way for a memorable victory over Celtic. 'King Joey' as he became known by the Aberdeen support went on to become the top scorer at the club until his move to Everton in December 1972 when he joined the Goodison club in a club record £172,000 transfer. Harper returned to Aberdeen in March 1976 after a spell with Hibernian. It was during his second spell that he became the clubs all-time top scorer and he also went on to complete a domestic set of winners medals with a League Cup gong in 1976 followed by the Premier League in 1980.

JACK HATHER

The only English born player in the Aberdeen squad that won the league title in 1955. Hather joined Aberdeen from Annfield Plain in December 1948. After a spell in the reserve side he took over on the left wing from the legendary Tom Pearson. Hather's great asset was his pace and he was known as 'The Hare'. Former team mate Bob Wishart declared that Jackie was the quickest player he had ever seen and was an ideal foil for him as an inside forward. Hather went on to make 351 appearances for the Dons, scoring an impressive 104 goals. During his spell at Pittodrie he gained a League and League Cup winners medals and played in three Scottish Cup Finals. Remarkably Hather played his entire career with only one kidney, a condition that rarely seen to handicap him as he became one of the most prolific wingers in British football. His son John, signed for Aberdeen in 1970.

WILLIE LENNIE

The first Aberdeen player to be capped for Scotland in 1908. Lennie arrived at Pittodrie after several spells with Queens Park, Ranger and Dundee before joining Fulham. Born in Glasgow on 26th January 1882, Lennie began with Maryhill Juniors before his brief spells in the professional game. It was not until he signed for Aberdeen from Fulham in 1905 that Lennie settled for the first time in his career. He struck up a great understanding with Charlie O'Hagan in the Aberdeen side and he was capped by Scotland in March 1908. Lennie scored the winning goal for Scotland on his debut in the 2-1 win for Scotland against Wales at Dens Park on 7th March 1908. A left winger of great ability, Lennie played 251 games for Aberdeen before joining Falkirk for a £30 fee in 1912.

ALEX McLEISH

Made his debut for Aberdeen against Dundee Utd at Pittodrie in the New Year fixture in January 1978. McLeish had been one of the many young Glasgow players spotted by Aberdeen scout Bobby Calder. After playing for the Dons in a midfield role he eventually settled as a centre half of great stature and went on to play his part in the Aberdeen golden era of the 1980's. Alex was a regular in the side that won the title in 1980 and he was also capped for Scotland that year as he went on to become the most capped Aberdeen player of all time. McLeish played his part in the Dons 1983 ECWC success although it was his short pass back that allowed Madrid in for an equalising penalty. Alex also had the distinction of captaining both Aberdeen and scotland during a Pittodrie career that lasted from 1978-1994. He was also given a testimonial in 1988 and after leaving the Dons he went on to manage Motherwell, Hibernian, Rangers, Scotland, Birmingham and Aston Villa.

JOHNNY MILLER

Miller was a club record buy from Liverpool on 8th June 1921. In his first season he began to repay that fee by being the top score that season with 27 goals from 42 appearances. Miller was a native of Motherwell and first came to prominence with Junior side Larkhall Thistle. After a spell with Hamilton, Miller was signed by Liverpool where he teamed up with his brother Tom, a Scotland international in the Anfield side. Miller was a prolific scorer at Pittodrie and he scored 61 goals from his 123 competitive appearances for the club between 1921 and 1926. It was in a league game against St Mirren on 30th september 1922 that Miller broke his leg in an injury that put him out of the game for a lengthy spell. Although he returned to the side in April 1923 he was never really the same potent force and in December 1924 he joined Partick Thistle. In the summer of 1926 he made a shock return to Pittodrie where his 18 games brought 9 goals. In February 1927 Miller was sold to Clyde in a deal that cost £350.

WILLIE MILLER

The Aberdeen captain that took Aberdeen through their finest period in their history. Signed in 1972, Miller was originally farmed out to Peterhead where he emerged as a striker of great promise. It was not until a change of position in the Aberdeen reserve side brought about a new role for Miller as a central defender. Miller made his debut at the end of the 1972.73 season against Morton at Cappielow and there began an Aberdeen career that was laiden with trophies and success. Miller was installed as Aberdeen captain by Ally MacLeod in 1976 and he took the Dons to a League Cup success later that year after making his Scotland debut in Romania. After Aberdeen won the Premier League in 1980, Miller had become an integral part of the best Aberdeen defence ever seen along with Alex McLeish and Jim Leighton and Stuart Kennedy. Sucess followed at home and abroad as Miller helped the Dons to their ECWC win in 1983 along with four Scottish Cups, two more League titles, a European Super Cup and two League Cups in 1985 and his final success in 1989. Miller also received two testimonial matches in 1981 and 1990 before becoming Aberdeen manager in 1992. Latterly Willie Miller was a director at the club and he will go down in club history as the greatest ever Don.

BENNY YORSTON

Born in Nigg in October 1905, Yorston first came to Pittodrie working in the office at the club before manager Jimmy Philip gave him a run out in the Aberdeen third team. After a spell with local side Richmond, Yorston joined Montrose. Capped at Junior level, Yorston was signed by Aberdeen on 23rd March 1927 and he was given his chance to impress on the Aberdeen tour to South Africa that summer. He responded by scoring in just about every game on the tour and he was installed as the first team centre forward for the coming season. During the 1929.30 season he scored a club record 38 league goals, with eight more in the Scottish Cup. From only 42 games played that season Yorston bagged an incredible 46 goals. He was capped by Scotland in 1931 when he made his international debut against Ireland in Belfast on 11th February that year. After being involved in the 'Great Mystery' betting scandal that rocked the club, Yorston was transfer listed and joined Sunderland for £2,000 in January 1932. In 1934 he joined Middlesbrough.