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NO EUROPE FOR CHAMPIONS

It is well enough known that Aberdeen took their European bow in 1967. However had fairness and morality played their part then it would have been far earlier in Aberdeen FC history.
As Scottish champions in 1955, the Dons had scaled unprecedented heights and the burden of expectation now fell on the shoulders of new boss Dave Shaw after manager Dave Halliday had joined Leicester. It has often proved a clever ploy in football to bring in new players while the team is going well. Aberdeen, however, seemed happy with their lot, though George Hamilton’s memorable association with the club ended when he moved to Hamilton for £2,000 in September 1955. Hamilton only stayed at Douglas Park for three months, and it was typical of the man that he refused to accept his wages, feeling that his performances had fallen short of what he had hoped. Archie Baird had already joined the growing colony of former Dons at St Johnstone, where yet another ex-Don, Jock Pattillo was manager.
    The 1950s heralded many changes in the game, among them the advent of floodlights, which meant midweek fixtures could be played in the evening instead of the afternoon. Floodlights were first introduced in the early 50s in England and they soon caught on in Scotland. In the meantime, many Scottish sides were invited across the border to experience the novelty of playing ‘under the lights’. Aberdeen enjoyed evening games at Manchester City, Leeds United and Norwich City, among others, but there were no immediate plans for Pittodrie to install lighting.
    Another innovation that had been mooted for some time was the broadening of horizons through a pan-European competition. The germ of this idea originated in France. Gabriel Hanot, a respected journalist of the French sports paper L’Equipe, had championed the cause for some time: ‘there is a strong case for starting a European Championship for clubs.’ He was of the opinion that clubs should rid themselves of their insularity, and that football would be the better for it, as new challenges would improve standards.
    In 1953 England had been beaten by a Continental side for the first time on home soil, when Hungary dazzled all who saw their 6-3 win at Wembley. The ‘Mighty Magyars’ had given British football the wake-up call it sorely needed. English claims to rule the world in football terms had been a brash boast, and was now exposed as an empty one. Six months later, in Budapest, Hungarian domination was underlined when they inflicted a 7-1 defeat on England, their heaviest defeat on record. Perhaps the time was right for club football to broaden its horizons.
    In January 1955 the leading national football associations were each invited to nominate a team to compete in a European Cup. Scotland were not represented at the inaugural meeting in Paris – on the same day that Aberdeen crushed Rangers 4-0 to put one hand on the championship. A further FIFA meeting in London in May endorsed the new competition, with the proviso that any competing club had to have permission from their national body, and that the competition should come under auspices of UEFA. The Union of European Football Associations had only been in existence since the 1954 World Cup finals in Switzerland. The fledgling body named the competition ‘The European Champions Clubs Cup’.
    As defending Scottish champions, Aberdeen had naively assumed that they would be called upon to represent Scotland. What they did not allow for was the internal manoeuvring that eventually saw them denied the honour of becoming the first Scottish club in Europe. The rules laid down for the initial competition stated that places would be offered to the prospective league winners of any country – but only from the second season of competition. This loophole allowed Hibernian to steal a march on the Dons. Hibs chairman Harry Swan had been a leading proponent in helping to bring European football to Scotland, and was by chance also the President of the SFA. Not surprisingly, perhaps, it was Hibernian whose name was put forward by the governing body. The invitations, however, which emanated from L’Equipe, had been sent out in advance of these unsavoury developments. Aberdeen had been standing by, waiting for the call that never came.
    Those of fair-minded disposition would conclude that Aberdeen had been shabbily treated in the whole affair, which represented a flagrant misuse of power. What Aberdeen had achieved on the field counted for little, as cronyism won the day in the corridors of power. The very nature of the decision to favour Hibs, who had finished a distant fifth behind the Dons, suggested that Aberdeen FC lacked ambition. In fact, nothing could have been further from the truth. Before his departure, manager Halliday had been counted as something of a visionary:
    ‘The next development will be a European league. I know that may be looking forward, but it will happen. Look at the World Cup. Thirty years ago it was a vague vision. Today it has grown in to a wonderful tournament. Conditions have changed during the last few years and we must keep our options open and look at these changes with an open mind.’
    Sadly, circumstances beyond their control dictated that Aberdeen would have to wait another twelve years to realise their European ambitions.

DONS ARE PIONEERS IN EASTERN EUROPE
Aberdeen went on an adventurous trek to Eastern Europe where the players were welcomed with great enthusiasm as much as curiosity by their hosts. Aberdeen under Jimmy Philip had enjoyed their most successful season to date although they just failed to land the clubs first major trophy in season 1910.11. Aberdeen finished as strong runners up in the league and were eliminated at the semi final stage of the Scottish Cup. It was seen as great progress by the club in what was only Aberdeen’s 10th year in existence. The Aberdeen directors had adopted a cautious approach in previous years and it had provided a sound financial base for the club as they settled in to the top flight in Scotland. Manager Philip was never one to look back and he was certainly an innovative force; he had been the driving force behind the clubs efforts to gain admission to the Scottish League and he was also adamant that the players should broaden their experiences in the game. Part of that learning process would be to play against sides from foreign lands and as a reward for coming so close to success that year; Aberdeen announced that they had accepted an invitation to tour Bohemia, Moravia and Poland in the summer. The Aberdeen party set off for the tour with only 12 players from Aberdeen Joint Station at 8pm on Wednesday 10th May on board their Caledonian train to London on the first part of their journey. While the train was the usual mode of transport for the club back then, it was their eventual destination that had attracted a sizeable crowd at the station to wish them well on their journey. The club were heading for Prague, back then in Bohemia, then in modern times Czechoslovakia and now of course the Czech Republic. The party would not reach Prague until Saturday night with an overnight stay arranged in Dresden. The Aberdeen party left with 10 players, manager Philip, director William Jaffrey and Dr Ellis Milne. On route the train would collect a further two players; Jock Wyllie at Larbert and Dave Main at Coatbridge.
Such was the interest in Prague over the visit of the Scots, a capacity crowd gathered for the opening game against the Slavia Club of Prague in Bohemia. The game was played in very hot conditions and there was no doubt that this affected the Aberdeen players who had never before experienced such conditions. The local side also surprised the Dons with their speed and tenacity, however the Scots certainly looked more skilful. Despite goals from Stewart Davidson and Dave Main, Aberdeen went down 3-2 against a tough Prague side and the local crowd were appreciative of both sides with Aberdeen being given a warm welcome throughout the game. Two days later the sides met again and once more the ground was full to capacity. With only a threadbare squad, the Dons had to switch defender Jock Hume to centre forward and his two goals gave Aberdeen a 2-1 win over the Bohemians as Aberdeen looked better prepared than they had in the first outing. After the visit to Prague the team moved through Poland and on to the city of Cracow where they were well received on their arrival on Friday 19th May. The next day they faced local side Wisla and they raced into a 3-0 half time lead before running up an impressive 9-1 win. What was strange to the tourists was that the Poles insisted on Aberdeen manager Philip refereeing the match. In the interests of friendship and sporting play even manager Philip could not prevent his side scoring almost at will. A large crowd gathered for the second game against the Poles and Aberdeen continued to impress in a 8-1 win. With only two scheduled games left on the tour, the Aberdeen party then took the train to Pardubitz for their final two games on tour. However on their way to the game they were stopped at Prerau in Bohemia where the local side their insisted on playing the Scots. Aberdeen duly obliged and turned on some exhibition stuff in what was a hastily arranged game. News had obviously spread and further down the line they were halted again at Brunn, and the Dons party were delighted to play the local Brunn side. The Aberdeen party finally arrived in their destination and played Pardubitz twice to close out the tour. Incredibly makeshift forward Jock Hume was the Dons top scorer with 18 goals from the eight games played.
A tired Aberdeen squad returned to Scotland two days later and the tales from the players was that it was quite an unforgettable experience and a trip that they relished. They spoke of the incredible reception they received wherever they went and the kindness of the local people. There was a slight sting in the tail however as the Austrian FA had complained officially to the SFA about Aberdeen playing Brunn as they were not members of the Austrian FA. Once Aberdeen had explained what had happened the account given by the Dons was accepted and the matter closed.          
CENTRAL EUROPEAN TOUR ABORTED
Following the success of the 1911 tour Aberdeen attempted a more ambitious trek in the summer of 1922. Given that Aberdeen would be visiting Austria, Prague and Berlin so soon after the end of the Great War, there were undoubted concerns as the safety of the Aberdeen players an officials. Those fears were founded as the tour was terminated early after political unrest in Central Europe continued. Aberdeen played Sparta Prague, losing 6-2 on their arrival and followed that up with a 2-0 win over Budapest. Their last game ended in a 1-1 draw in Brunn before the Aberdeen party were advised to abort the Austrian and German part of their tour.   

Final Day Drama
The Dons go in to the last game of the season against Motherwell knowing that avoiding defeat will secure a runners up position in the SPFL. Aberdeen through the years have been involved in many last day fixtures that have proved decisive and crucial in their history. For the most part it has usually been at the top end of the table for the Dons but on occasion it has also been the spectre of relegation that was to the fore for Aberdeen. The first real last day drama for the Dons came after the war. Previously with no automatic relegation in place until 1921 and with Aberdeen coming close to the league championship on three occasions there was never any last day dramas played out. That changed in April 1959 when Aberdeen travelled to Ibrox of all places looking to take something from the game to preserve their proud record of never having been relegated in their history. There were five teams battling it out to avoid joining Queen of the South who were already relegated. Aberdeen were favourites to join them as they had the most difficult task of having to at least take something from their last game against Rangers who had won the title the week before. Aberdeen inflicted only Rangers second defeat at home all season with two Norman Davidson goals in a shock 2-1 win. The two points hauled Aberdeen up to 13th place and clear of Falkirk who went down to the Second Division. A year later Aberdeen were in trouble again but it took a superb four game closing spell to save their season with four straight wins which culminated with a 2-0 win over Ayr United at Pittodrie on the last day of the season.
On 27th April 1968 it was Ibrox again for Aberdeen in what proved to be a day of real drama. Hard as it may be to believe these days but when Aberdeen travelled down to face Rangers at Ibrox in what was the last game of the season, across at Hampden Park Hearts were playing Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup Final. A win for Rangers would have secured the title. There was little to suggest otherwise as the Ibrox club had gone the entire season avoiding defeat in any league game that season. It all seemed to be a formality as Celtic looked on as their final league game was against Dunfermline on the following Tuesday after the cup final. Celtic knew that only an Aberdeen win or draw would give them the chance to win the flag. Former Don Dave Smith put Rangers ahead in 17 minutes before Dave Johnston levelled for the Dons after half an hour. The packed Ibrox terraces were in raptures when none other than a young Alex Ferguson put them 2-1 ahead in 56 minutes. Once again Aberdeen replied through Johnston to restore parity. That goal seemed to stun Rangers who began to throw everything at Aberdeen to secure the flag. As Rangers were committed up front, Aberdeen broke away in the final minute and Billy Little set up Ian Taylor for a sensational winner. You could have heard a pin drop as the Dons players celebrated a win that had the additional bonus of securing the Dons place in next season’s Inter Cities Fairs Cup as Aberdeen entered Europe for a second time. That was down to fourth placed Dunfermline defeating Hearts in the cup final as the Pars would take their place in the ECWC. Celtic took advantage two days later by beating Dunfermline 2-1 at East End Park to begin what went on to become nine titles in a row.
In April 1973 the Dons final league game of the season was an inauspicious affair against Morton at Cappielow. Although qualification for the UEFA Cup was assured in a 2-1 win it marked the beginning of the career of a young Willie Miller who made his Aberdeen debut that afternoon. While Willie was on the threshold of a remarkable Aberdeen career it was a final appearance for Zoltan Varga who in contrast to Miller was a football mercenary who remains one of the most gifted players to play for the club, short as his stay was.
On 24th April 1976 it was another decisive day in Aberdeen history. In what was the first season of the new 10-team Premier league set up, many sides were caught out as the cut throat nature of the new set up. Aberdeen found themselves embroiled in a relegation battle that was exclusive to the east of Scotland. St Johnstone had been doomed for many months at the bottom but back in that first season, two sides would be automatically relegated from ten. Aberdeen were caught up with Dundee, Dundee Utd in a last day outcome that certainly brought a collective sigh of relief around Pittodrie. Hibernian were beaten 3-0 by the Dons which meant that whatever happened elsewhere the Dons would survive. Aberdeen even missed a penalty against Hibernian who had finished in third place that season. The very nature of that league was that Dundee who were relegated were only 22 points behind Rangers who finished as title winners. It was a significant day as Aberdeen would go on to flourish in the new set up while Dundee began a period of uncertainty which led to a succession of promotions and relegations.
In 1978 it was Hibernian who were Aberdeen opponents again on the last day of the title race. It was a different agenda for the Dons however as under Billy McNeill the Dons could have won the title that day. It was a long shot as Rangers would have to lose to Motherwell while Aberdeen would have to win at Easter Road. As it turned out a goal from debutant Ian Scanlon for the Dons 1-1 draw in Edinburgh wasn’t enough to round of a season of real progress for Aberdeen. In May 1980 Aberdeen went one better when they secured the Premier league title at Easter Road. While the Dons players and supporters danced a jig on the pitch they still had their final game to play against Partick at Firhill. For the first time in their history the Dons were applauded on to the field by the hosts. A subdued 1-1 draw was the final result as Aberdeen had won the title from a seemingly impossible position that season. 
Rangers were the Dons opponents on the final day of the 1981.82 season. Despite Celtic being long time leaders Aberdeen had clawed their way back into contention for the league flag. Rangers were well off the pace, eight points behind the Dons in third place. Once again the odds did not favour the Dons as they had to hope that St Mirren would surprise Celtic in Glasgow while Aberdeen had to hit Rangers for five at home. The impossible dream was still on by half time as Aberdeen trooped off with a four goal salvo that had stunned Rangers while Celtic were being held by St Mirren. The news that Aberdeen were 4-0 ahead at half time had prompted Celtic to react and they eventually scored to see of the Dons challenge. Seven days later Aberdeen went in against Rangers again; this time in the Scottish Cup Final. The Dons were installed as the biggest favourites outside of the Old Firm in any tie and they went on to win the trophy in a 4-1 win.
A year later it was a victorious Aberdeen side that had just returned from winning the ECWC in Gothenburg. Three days after humbling the mighty Real Madrid, the Dons played their final game of the league season knowing that they could still win the title if Dundee Utd slipped up against Dundee at Dens Park. That was never going to happen but Aberdeen still put on a show with a superb 5-0 defeat of Hibernian. Captain Willie Miller led his side out on to the field at the end of the game as they paraded the ECWC in front of a packed Pittodrie.
In 1989 Aberdeen spoiled Rangers party at Ibrox with a sensational 3-0 drubbing as the Ibrox side celebrated winning the title that year with Aberdeen in second place. A slick Aberdeen cut through Rangers at will to post their intent for future battles as the after match party was a muted affair.
On 2nd May 1990 a young Aberdeen side was put out by Alex Smith in the final league game of the season against Celtic at Parkhead. The Dons were due to meet Celtic again in the cup final and it was the young Aberdeen players that gave Smith a selection dilemma with an impressive 3-1 win over Celtic. The Dons went on to win the cup that year, the last occasion they have achieved this feat.
In 1991 it was arguably the Dons most disappointing result in their history when they went down 2-0 to Rangers at Ibrox in a game that they needed a draw to win the title. Rangers were the Dons final day opponents once more in what was the final game to be played in front of the old Beach End before it was due to be demolished to make way for the Richard Donald Stand.
Aberdeen were involved in a relegation scramble in 1995 and at one point looked certain to take the drop. However a five game winning sequence at the end of the season made sure it was Dundee Utd that were relegated. The Dons final game against Falkirk at Brockville yielded a 2-0 win before more than 8,000 travelling Red Army supporters. Such was the interest from Aberdeen in this game that the Falkirk chairman actually brought up the away allocation of tickets to Pittodrie for the game. The club also laid on a host of free buses to take the supporters to Brockville.
While Aberdeen were hoping to take their European interest this season to the last day here against Rangers, a narrow defeat at Motherwell has meant that the Dons will have not that much to play for tonight. Ever since Jimmy Calderwood arrived at Pittodrie in 2004 the Dons have been in the mix for European places right up to the final day of each of the last three seasons. Last season it was a 2-0 win over old rivals Rangers on the last day of the season that brought UEFA Cup football back to Pittodrie. A full house and a passionate crowd saw Aberdeen home. Aberdeen had to win to secure their place in the UEFA Cup while nearest rivals Hearts were hoping that Aberdeen would slip up and a win at Kilmarnock would have been enough. Setanta Television chose to take their cameras to Rugby Park as they had given up on Aberdeen. It proved to be a bad decision as the pride and the passion was all at Pittodrie. Aberdeen swept aside Rangers in a whirlwind first half and deservedly finished their season in style.            

1976 LEAGUE CUP AND DOUBLE SUCCESS OVER OLD FIRM
One of the most celebrated cup wins in Aberdeen’s history came in the 1976 League Cup after Aberdeen defeated Celtic 2-1 in a memorable Hampden final. While the much-maligned competition has changed in recent years and has no doubt diminished in stature, back in 76’ the Aberdeen win was greeted with great enthusiasm in the north. What was all the more remarkable was the fact that Aberdeen had just escaped from relegation from the first season of the Premier League a few months previously. Jim Bonthrone had been replaced by an enthusiastic Ally MacLeod and in the summer of 1976 he set about strengthening his squad. In came Stuart Kennedy, Dom Sullivan and a returning Joe Harper from Falkirk, Clyde and Hibernian respectively. MacLeod had recognised the need to bring his side up to a position of relative strength and the new look Aberdeen came out of the traps quickly in season 1976.77, leading the Premier League in the early months, talk of a title success was perhaps premature but in the first trophy MacLeod could win, he certainly kept to his promise that he would take Aberdeen to a major trophy win in his first twelve months at Pittodrie.
While the win over Celtic in extra time was a fantastic achievement for Macleod and his side, it was perhaps the Dons win over Rangers in the semi final that raised most eyebrows. Again the venue was ‘neutral’ Hampden Park and despite Aberdeen sitting at the top of the league, it was Rangers who were the bookies favourites to progress at Aberdeen’s expense. In the sectional group that opened the competition the Aberdeen new boys settled in well and the Dons cruised through their group, which include MacLeod’s old side Ayr United, Kilmarnock and Alex Ferguson’s emerging St Mirren. Goal king Joe Harper scored in each of the Dons six group matches but it was in the quarter final against Stirling Albion that the Dons had the most bother. The tie went in to a third game at neutral Dens Park before goals from Jocky Scott and Joe Smith sent Aberdeen through to meet Rangers in the semi final. There was certainly a ring of confidence around Pittodrie as a 2-1 win over Celtic put Aberdeen clear at the top of the league before they travelled to Hampden for the Rangers clash.
Jocky Scott emerged as the Aberdeen hero on the night as he perhaps played his finest hour for the club as Aberdeen hammered Rangers 5-1 in what was one of the Ibrox clubs worst defeats since the Dons trounced them 6-0 in a Scottish Cup semi final at the same venue in 1954. Back then it was big Joe O’Neil who was the Aberdeen hat trick hero. In 1976 it was former Dundee and Scotland international Jocky Scott who was the Rangers tormentor in chief. Aberdeen born Scott was a £25,000 buy from Dundee in 1975 and he was a regular under MacLeod as the Dons had a real cutting edge in forward areas. Aberdeen dominated this semi final from the kick off and they got off to the perfect start when Scott scored his first in two minutes. A great run by Dom Sullivan down the right set up Jocky to gleefully slam the ball past Rangers keeper Stewart Kennedy. Aberdeen continued to press and were rewarded in 14 minutes when Scott struck again. Arthur Graham cleverly slipped the ball through two Rangers defenders and gave Scott an easy chance to score the Dons second. Rangers keeper Kennedy was livid with his defenders but Rangers hit back a minute later to give them hope when Alex McDonald brought the Ibrox side back into the tie. Rangers then threw everything they had at Aberdeen to get back into the tie but the Dons defence was rarely troubled and Arthur Graham should have made it three when he led a quick break by the Dons. There was a blow for the Dons when Joe Smith was injured after a hefty challenge as Rangers efforts increased by any means possible. Smith had to be replaced by seasoned campaigner Eddie Thomson who was brought on to combat the physical approach from the Ibrox side. In 64 minutes Jocky Scott turned provider when he set up Joe Harper who lashed the ball past Kennedy to put Aberdeen 3-1 ahead. It was at that point that Aberdeen really turned on the style and set about embarrassing Rangers with some slick passing that almost cut through the Ibrox defence at will. Two minutes later Drew Jarvie got in on the act and he scored a sensational goal a half volley from inside the box that flew high past Rangers keeper Kennedy. Rangers were reeling and their night of misery was complete when man-of-the-match Scott scored his third and the Dons fifth in the 73rd minute. Job done, Aberdeen continued to dominate possession and long before referee Anderson brought an end to Rangers nightmare.
Ally MacLeod embraced coach George Murray at full time as they celebrated a great win over their old rivals. MacLeod said; “We proved to the West of Scotland just how good a team we are. I thought all of our goals were superb, particularly the last one as that came from the training ground. Our players responded to the challenge like I hoped they would. We knew that coming to Glasgow and winning was the only way we can gain credibility these days. I think we showed the country just exactly how good we are. The final can’t come quick enough for us.”
Jocky Scott was ecstatic and was delighted to receive the plaudits after the game; “I am absolutely chuffed after that. However it was the whole team that made it all possible. I was in the right place at the right time and it all came off for me on the night. Our confidence was high going into the game although they were favourites and we knew if we could get ahead we would be difficult to beat. Rangers were not that bad on the night, it was just that we were superb. As an Aberdeen player for just over a year, I think that was the best we had played in that time. It all clicked for me against Rangers and we knew they would never give up the fight but to be honest the game was finished when I made it 3-1. You always had that feeling that they would never give up and they caused a fright when they got back into the game at 2-1 but we were confident that we could get back at them and we did that with some style.” Rangers boss Jock Wallace was stunned at the power and pace of Aberdeen yet typically was reluctant to heap praise on his victors; “Aberdeen took their chances, it was as simple as that, we never looked like breaking them down and that was disappointing.”
Jocky Scott went on to make 79 competitive appearances for the Dons scoring 22 goals in his two years wit his hometown club before he returned to Dundee in 1978. After a spell back at Dens he move d to the USA and played with Seattle before returning to Scotland and embark on a career in coaching. In May 1981 Aberdeen travelled south to Dens Park to play Dundee in Jocky’s testimonial match. Jocky is currently coaching for Viborg in Denmark. Jocky had the chance to join Aberdeen as a youngster but went to Chelsea straight from school; “I left school when I was 15 and I spent a year at Chelsea before Tommy Docherty freed me. I returned to Aberdeen and after a couple of months Dundee offered me a contract, which was back in 1964. My father had a lot to do with my early career, having been a player with Aberdeen and Newcastle in the 1930’s. I established myself with Dundee and was proud to chosen for the Scotland U-23 squad in 1969 then eventually the full international team two years later.” Winning the League Cup was nothing new to Jocky as he was in the Dundee side that shocked Celtic in the 1973 Final; “That was the first trophy I was involved in winning, and it was my first final. Dundee made it to the final in 1968 but I was not in the pool for that game.” Jocky has enjoyed a prolonged career in coaching ever since he retired from the game. In 1988 he returned to Pittodrie and took up a post as co-manager of Aberdeen alongside Alex Smith. Scott left Pittodrie in 1991 and took over as Dunfermline manager in his own right. He has also managed at Dundee and Hibernian in the Premier League.       
27th October 1976
Aberdeen 5:1 Rangers at Hampden Park
ABERDEEN; Clark, Kennedy, Williamson, Smith, Garner, Miller, Sullivan, Scott, Harper, Jarvie, Graham. Sub; Thomson.
Rangers; Kennedy, Jardine, Miller, Greig, Jackson, Watson, McLean, McKean, Parlane, MacDonald, Henderson.
Attendance; 20,990
                  

IRISH PIONEERS AT PITTODRIE
The recent signing of Adam Rooney has strengthened the growing Irish contingent at Pittodrie, however there have been many Irish players who have played for the club in the past...

It is a common belief that Willie Lennie was the Dons first capped player for Scotland back in 1908. Although that fact is true enough, the first Aberdeen player to be capped for his country was Lennie’s teammate Charlie O’Hagan. Born in Buncrana in 1882, O’Hagan began his career in his native Ireland with St Columb’s College before moving on to Derry City and old Xavierans. It was during that spell that Everton tempted O’Hagan to try his luck in the English League in 1902. For whatever reason he was never selected for the Goodison club and a year later he was transferred to the Southern League and a spell with Tottenham Hotspur. It was only then that O’Hagan produced the kind of form that was to lead to his first cap for Ireland against Scotland on 18th March 1905. It was following a brief spell with Middlesbrough in 1906 where he played in only six matches that Aberdeen manager Jimmy Philip took an almost nomadic like O’Hagan to Pittodrie. It is fair to say that his spell with the Dons was his most productive. Almost immediately he struck up a fine partnership with Aberdeen winger Willie Lennie with O’Hagan operating at inside left. By now he was a regular in the Irish side and was also part of the impressive Aberdeen side that was now making an impression on the national stage. On 14th March 1908 O’Hagan found himself in opposition to his great friend as Lennie was in the Scotland side and O’Hagan had the distinction of leading Ireland. It was Lennie who came through smiling as the Scots went nap in a 5-0 win at Dublin’s Dalymount Park. Charlie O’Hagan eventually left Aberdeen and joined Greenock Morton in 1910. He made 112 appearances for the Dons, scoring 24 goals.
Joe O’Reilly joined Aberdeen in 1932 from Irish side Brideville in the immediate aftermath of the ‘Great Mystery’ that rocked Pittodrie to the core in November 1931. O’Reilly took his chance in the Aberdeen first team and played more than 40 matches for the Dons as well as establishing himself in the Ireland side. O’Reilly went on win 20 international caps, the first of which came against the Netherlands in a 2-0 win in May 1932. After two years at Pittodrie O’Reilly moved back to his native Brideville after failing to cement a right-half place in the Aberdeen side. It was Aberdeen captain Bob Fraser who kept O’Reilly on the sidelines. In 1936 O’Reilly transferred to St James Gate in Dublin and the last of his caps came in a 1-1 draw with Germany in 1939.
The 1930’s produced several Irish players in the Scottish League and among them was the prolific Paddy Moore, another Irish international who was with Aberdeen. Moore will go down in club history along with Alex Merrie as being the only two Aberdeen players to score six goals for the club in a single game. Moores’s incredible feat came against Falkirk in 1932. Born in Ballybough in 1909, Moore started out with Richmond Rovers and latterly enjoyed a spell with Shamrock Rovers winning the Irish Free State Cup in 1928 before joining Cardiff City a year later. A disappointing season with Tranmere meant a return to Shamrock Rovers in 1931, winning his first cap in April against Spain. Moore scored the Irish goal in a 1-1 draw. Two years later Paddy became another player to play for both Eire and Northern Ireland when he was selected to play against England. After his transfer to Aberdeen he created his own piece of history when he scored all four Ireland goals in a 4-4 draw against Belgium in a World Cup tie. In his three seasons at Pittodrie Moore notched an impressive 47 goals from only 74 appearances before he returned to his beloved Shamrock in July 1935. Before returning to Shamrock for a fourth time, Paddy Moore had spells with Shelbourne and Brideville. Paddy Moore died aged 42 in July 1951.    
Belfast born Hugh Mooney made the first of his Aberdeen appearances against St Mirren in February 1932. Mooney made only 15 appearances during his two seasons with the Black & Golds before joining Gillingham. Mooney was another player who found a starting place in the Dons side in the aftermath of the 1931 ‘Great Mystery’ but was then second choice to Kenny Thomson. Previously Mooney had started out with Belfast Celtic before joining second division Nottingham Forest in 1931.

100,000 WELCOMES IN 1970

For a younger generation of supporters it may be hard to believe that cup football before the 1980’s was seen as far more important as any league position. While league matches were never treated lightly, it was the glamour of the cup that attracted the support. It was the very nature of a cup-tie that excited players and fans alike and on occasion, your team would rise above the mediocrity and claim their 15 minutes of fame. The Aberdeen side of 1970 enjoyed their moment of glory in April of that year after the Dons defeated Celtic 3-1 at Hampden to take the Scottish Cup back to the north east for only the second time in club history. Aberdeen went into the game as rank outsiders against a Celtic side that were in the process of humbling the best that England could offer in Don Revie’s famed Leeds Utd side. Celtic defeated the Elland Road side in both legs of their European Cup semi final. For Aberdeen it was a memorable occasion as more than 108,000 filled the national stadium to see the Dons pull off a sensational and deserved victory. A reported 100,000 Aberdeen citizens lined the streets from Stonehaven to Union Street as the Aberdeen players travelled through on a hastily arranged ‘open top’ bus. It was from the city’s Holburn Street through to the Town House that a police escort was required as the city welcomed home their heroes in style. Led by manager Eddie Turnbull and 21-year-old captain Martin Buchan the Aberdeen players were received by the Lord Provost in Union Street as the crowds clamoured for a glimpse of their heroes with the cup. In context of the Dons previous major success, the League title win in 1955, it was far removed from the 30 hardy souls that turned up at Aberdeen Joint Station to see the new league Champions return to the city 15 years previously.         

AN UNWANTED RECORD

While it is almost impossible to take any positives from any heavy defeat the Dons record defeat at Celtic under Mark McGhee was actually not the first time that Aberdeen have conceded nine goals in a game. The record books will tell you that the previous record defeat was again against Celtic back in January 1965 in an 8-0 defeat. There were in fact some extenuating circumstances on that occasion; Parkhead was effectively frost bound and ‘playable’. Unfortunately for the Dons players the packed footwear did not carry the soft soles that Celtic winger John Hughes wore and ‘Yogi’ had a field day; helping himself to five goals in the rout. The current Aberdeen team could not have put up such excuses, and the record books will now show that record defeat as one that will forever be a black day for Aberdeen FC. The only other occasion Aberdeen surrendered nine goals was away back in 1909. It was on the 17th April that year that the game was actually the final of the old North Eastern Cup. Back then it was certainly classed as a first team game as Aberdeen fielded a reasonably strong line up for the game against Dundee. On the same day as Celtic and Rangers were battling it out for the Scottish Cup at Hampden, Aberdeen capitulated at Dens Park and were humbled 9-2. Apart from two ‘guests’ in their side, it was a strong Aberdeen side that played. However their problems were compounded not by a sending off as the current Dons suffered, but by the loss of influential centre half Angus McIntosh who had to leave the field after four minutes when the old leather ball hit him square on the face and left him out cold. In the days of no substitutes, Dundee raced into a 4-1 lead at half time. Willie Lennie pulled one back after the restart to make it 4-2, but after that the Black & Gold’s’ were overrun by a Dundee side that had just missed out on a first ever league championship. The Aberdeen team on that day of what proved to be a dark episode in club history was; Mutch, Colman, Lyon, Halkett, McIntosh, Low, Blackburn, Scott, Niblo, O’Hagan, Lennie. Hard to believe then, that two of that Aberdeen side were established internationals (O’Hagan was Ireland captain and Lennie had been capped for Scotland), and both Donald Colman and Henry Low would go on and play for Scotland at a later date.
The team that was shamed in 1965 was relatively untried as a unit, as days earlier the three new Scandinavian imports; Jens Petersen, Leif Mortensen and Jorg Ravn all made their debut in a 3-1 win over Third Lanark on a snowbound Pittodrie. There was little to suggest that the Dons would go to Parkhead and find themselves on the end of such a hammering. The frozen surface was proving to be a nightmare for the visitors as they slithered over the slippery surface at every turn. When john McCormick conceded a penalty just before half time the Celts went in three goals ahead and with more of the home players changing their foot wear at the break they simply waltzed past the Aberdeen defenders at will. The Dons side that day who are now free of their record defeat tag was; Ogston, Bennett, Shewan, Petersen, McCormick, Smith, Fraser, Winchester, Ravn, Kerrigan, Mortensen.