Greatest service in Aberdeen Football Clubs History

Outside of the old firm, Aberdeen Football Club have the most illustrious history in Scottish Football. Although Aberdeen football clubs greatest days have now faded off into a great and distant past, lets go through us through the greatest servants Aberdeen football  club has ever seen. Our list is not limited only to players, but anyone who represented the club. A number of names are absent, and perhaps should have featured in our top ten, however we have tried not to upset the Aberdeen faithful with our choices.

NO 10.RUSSELL ANDERSON

At number ten, and for some, a controversial choice, is local footballing hero Russell Anderson. Anderson started his footballing career in Aberdeen as a young boy in the early 1990s, breaking through into the first team as right back in 1997. He made over 300 appearances for the club, becoming club captain in 2003. After a pledge to Aberdeen fans, his intent to remain at the club for the rest of his career, Sunderland manager Roy Keane made an approach, and he abruptly left Aberdeen for the English premiership in 2007. He returned a significant portion of his Sunderland signing on fee, to Aberdeen upon leaving, such was the guilt he felt. Success south of the border was harder to come by, after spells at Plymouth, Burnley and Derby, he returned to Aberdeen as a player in 2012. Anderson was capped 11 times for his country, but his Aberdeen legend was cemented, on the sixteenth of March 2014, when he led his Aberdeen side to a historic win over Inverness Callie thistle, in the Scottish league cup final at Celtic park. A lack of ego prevents Anderson's reverence being as loudly and profoundly appreciated as many other former players, but he is without question, one of the clubs all time greats.

NO 9 TEDDY SCOTT

In at number nine, is Teddy Scott, an Aberdeen football icon for all the right reasons. Born in Ellon in March of 1929, his playing career started in 1952 for Sunnybank Juniors in Aberdeen. After winning the Junior Scottish cup in 1954, he was signed to Aberdeen, by then Manager David Halliday. Scott struggled to break through and only made one first team appearance for Aberdeen, before leaving the club for Brechin then Elgin City. Scott’s love was always Aberdeen and in 1964 he returned to Aberdeen as a trainer and assistant coach for the reserves. Scott was far more than a coach to the young players at Aberdeen, and was very much about developing them as men, outside football not just in it. Scott was not awarded a winners medal for the teams triumph in Gothenburg in 1983, when Aberdeen beat the mighty Real Madrid to lift the cup winners cup, however, such was his stature at the club, he was posthumously awarded the winners medal. When Alex Ferguson threatened to sack Scott for bringing the wrong shorts to a game, Gordon Strachan replied, "where are you going to get the ten people needed to replace him?" In 1999 Alex Ferguson took a full strength Manchester United side to Aberdeen for a testimonial match to honour Teddy, a side which Included Christiano Ronaldo, and David Beckham. Teddy Scott is greatly respected by all those who knew him, for whom the label Kit man, doesn't do him justice. 

NO 8.JIM LEYTON

At number eight is super stopper Jim Leyton. He is by some considerable margin the greatest Goal Keeper ever seen at Aberdeen. Jim was signed by Manager Alex Ferguson in 1977, from Dalry Thistle, however he was loaned to Highland league club Deveronvale for his first season. Starting full time at Aberdeen in 1978, Ferguson instilled a belief and confidence that saw Jim as first team goal keeper within a year. Jim Leyton was at the heart of Aberdeen's glory years, and completed the greatest defensive trio in Scottish footballing history, as he stood in goal behind Willie Miller and Alex McLeish. As with many Aberdeen greats on our list, the central theme is Gothenburg, and Jim is no different. His legend forever cemented that night on the eleventh of May nineteen eighty three, when he was in goal as his team defeated the mighty Real Madrid 3 goals to two. Jim left Aberdeen in 1985 to join manager Alex Ferguson who was now manager at Manchester United. After seeing him let in 3 goals during a 1990 cup match drawn with Crystal palace, in a huge decision by Ferguson, he was dropped for the replay. He played only one more game for Manchester United's first team, and never spoke to Alex Ferguson again. He returned to Aberdeen in 1988 and in all made over 500 appearances for the club. Leyton played for Scotland ninety one times, and only the great Kenny Dagleish has more Scotland caps. Jim Leyton is one of true International world class players to have played for Aberdeen. A consistent theme of Aberdeen's greatest players is their lack of Ego, Jim Leyton epitomises that epitaph. One of the greatest players in the history of the club. 

NO 7. CHRIS ANDERSON

Chris Anderson is one of the most critical components of the road to Aberdeen's greatness. Chris joined Aberdeen as a player in 1943, after rejecting an approach to Join Rangers. The war stopped Chris from making his debut for the club until 1948. His playing career at Aberdeen coincided with a lean period for the club. He left Aberdeen in 1953 to play for Arbroath Football club, however Anderson returned to the club in 1967 and was made Vice Chairman, working alongside Dick Donald in 1970. Chris was way more than just a vice chairman of Aberdeen football club. Anderson's time on the board oversaw the most successful period in the club's history. Under his guidance, Aberdeen introduced the first all seater Stadium in British football, and alongside Dick Donald he was instrumental in signing Alex Ferguson. He contracted Motor Neurone disease in 1985, and as he witnessed Willie Miller lift the Scottish cup at Hampden against Hibs that year, he was aware that would be the last time he would see an Aberdeen win at Hamden, he died just 17 days later. The phrase visionary is overly used in modern society, but a visionary he was, he was an educator, a trainer, a footballer, and a club legend who undoubtedly shaped and developed the legacy and bright future the club now enjoys,  the Chris Anderson athletics stadium in the city is named after him.

NO 6. BOBBY CLARK

In at number six is Bobby Clark, who is as synonymous with Aberdeen football club as any other player in the club's history. Bobby's playing career saw him start as goal keeper at Queens Park FC before signing for Aberdeen in 1965. During his time at the club, Aberdeen won the 1976 Scottish Cup, 1976 League cup, and the 1980 Premier league. Clark played a staggering 594 times for Aberdeen. He left Aberdeen for his beloved Clyde in 1983 for a brief spell. Capped 17 times for Scotland, and at one time held the all time British top flight record, for not conceding a goal, in over one thousand one hundred and fifteen Minutes of play during the nineteen seventy to seventy one season, until Edwin Van de Saar, broke that record in 2009. Bobby Clark remains a fans favourite to this day.

NO 5. STEVE ARCHIBALD

Storming in at number five, is our most controversial choice. Steve Archibald was signed by Celtic and Aberdeen manager Billy McNeill in 1978, forming a prolific goal scoring partnership with Aberdeen legend Joey Harper. After winning the league with Aberdeen in 1980, his sometimes fractious relationship with Manager Alex Ferguson saw him seek a move to the English premiership side Spurs in 1980. In a story told in Sir Alex Ferguson's autobiography, he recalls a time where Archibald had commandeered the match ball. Ferguson went to retrieve it, and Archibald refused to hand it over. However some time later, Archibald appeared the the managers office door with the ball, he opened the door, and booted the ball into his office, and said to the manager, here's your f*cking Ball Back, then shut the door and left. Spurs had huge success with Archibald, 2 F.A cups, and he scored in the final of the UEFA cup in 1984. Scoring 77 goals for spurs in little over 4 seasons. In late 1984 Archibald joined Barcelona, in his first season he helped the club win La Liga for the first time in 11 years. Archibald remains a cult hero in Barcelona. He returned to Scotland after rules were brought in, preventing clubs from fielding too many overseas players, seeing Gary Lineker and Mark Hughes squeeze him out. Archibald had a brief stint as manager at east Fife where he saw the team promoted to the first division. Archibald may be less of an Aberdeen legend than some, but he is arguably the most successful player post his Aberdeen career.

NO 4. DICK DONALD

At number four is former Aberdeen chairman Dick Donald. Born in Aberdeen in 1911, his family became one of Aberdeen's wealthiest families, after opening theatres, dancing halls and public houses in the 1940s and fifties. Dick signed as a player for Aberdeen way back in 1928, with 2 separate 5 year playing stints at Aberdeen, and a season at Dunfermline in 1934. He joined the board of Aberdeen football club in 1948 and remained so until his death. He sadly passed away after stroke complications in 1993. His was the decision which brought Sir Alex Ferguson to the club, and the glory years that would follow. Dick Donald's contribution to Aberdeen football club can not be underestimated, and no one has contributed more to the club as a non Player than Dick Donald. 

NO 3. ALEX MCLEISH

At number 3 is Alex McLeish. Born in Glasgow to shipyard workers Alex and mum Jean, he played for Barr head youth and Hamilton Accies as a junior. Aberdeen manager Ally Macleod watched a junior cup final game, he played in during the 1976 season, and signed him as soon as he returned to Aberdeen. He played his first game for the dons under the management of Celtic legend Billy McNeil in 1978. McLeish made over 500 appearances for Aberdeen, and alongside Willie Miller, formed the most successful defensive partnership in Scottish Footballing history. He scored a decisive goal, which saw Aberdeen beat Bayern Munich, seeing them through, to the now infamous European Cup Final, against Real Madrid in 1983. He became Aberdeen skipper after the retirement of Willie Miller, and was capped 77 times for his country, with Jock Steen giving him his first run out for Scotland against Portugal in 1980. As with many players who played under Sir Alex Ferguson, he went on to have a successful football management career, at Motherwell, Hibs, then Rangers, and in 2007 took charge of the Scottish National side, recording a historic one nil victory over France. After spells at Birmingham, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest, he returned as Scotland manager again in 2018. His impact at Aberdeen was nothing short of sensational, and without doubt, he is one of the greatest players in Scottish history. 

NO 2. WILLIE MILLER

In at number two, is dons defender and all round legend, Willie Miller. Born in Glasgow, Willie played goal keeper, as a school boy. After an average junior football career, Willie signed full time with Aberdeen in 1971 aged just 16. After a successful spell in the reserves, he was promoted to the first team by then manager, Allie Macleod in 1974. Alongside Alex McLeish, Willie led the greatest defensive partnership ever seen in Scottish football, and holds the record of a staggering 797 appearances for the club. During his playing career he lifted 12 major trophies. In 2003 Willie was voted the greatest player in the club's history. He retired from playing in 1990 after picking up an Injury during a Scotland International game, and was appointed Aberdeen manager in 1992 replacing sacked manager Alex Smith. In what remains a statistic Aberdeen football club should be ashamed of; he was sacked during the 1993/1994 season for finishing second in the league to Rangers, losing that year's championship by a mere 3 points. Willie made 65 appearances for his country. He remains forever, the greatest player in the club's history.  

NO 1 SIR ALEX FERGUSON

If anything was never in doubt in our countdown of those who have contributed the most to the rich history of Aberdeen football club, our number one was never in question. At number one, is the greatest manager, not just in Aberdeen's history, but in world footballing History. Sir Alex Ferguson was born in Govin in 1941, to Alex and Elizabeth. He played for Drum Chapel amateurs while working as an apprentice toolmaker in the Hillington shipyards. He had an illustrious playing career, playing for Queens Park F.C. and St Johnston. While at St Johnstone,  he scored a Hatrick to defeat his boyhood Heroes Rangers, a game which changed his life. After a spell at Dunfermline, Rangers signed him for a huge £65000 pounds, a Scottish transfer record at the time. He finished his playing career and went into management at the tender age of 32 with east stirlingshire, a part time job paying forty pounds per week. He then moved to and managed St Mirren football club, before being sacked in 1978. During an employment tribunal after his St Mirren Sacking, Willie Todd, then chairman of St Mirren, said Ferguson had no managerial ability whatsoever.  Ferguson replaced Billy McNeill as Manager at Aberdeen in 1978. His first two seasons in charge were hard, he struggled in the league, won no silverware and failed to gain the respect of club legends such as Joey Harper and other senior players. As the 1970s moved into the 1980s, Ferguson had galvanised his team into a winning machine. Before Ferguson's arrival at Aberdeen, the club had won the Scottish top League only twice in its history, that was to change under him. Their first major success saw the team winning the Scottish league, on the final day of the 1980 season with a 5 nil victory over Hibs. As great as he was as a manager,sometimes bearny (For those outside the Granite city…Childish), would be a good description of his personality, fining player John Hewitt for overtaking him while driving on a public road.

From 1981 and onwards, Ferguson oversaw the most successful period in Aberdeen's history. The highest of his achievements, ranking alongside Brian Clough's provincial Nottingham Forest side, winning the UEFA cup in the 1980s. 1983 saw Ferguson's greatest triumph, as he led his Aberdeen team out against Real Madrid, in Gothenburg Sweden, for the game that would define Aberdeen football club forever. His side won the European Cup Winners Cup, beating Real Madrid 2-1.

In 1985, he was part of Jock Stein's Scotland coaching staff, the night Stein collapsed and died while Scotland played against Australia. Stein's death hit Ferguson hard, he wasn't one for heroes, but he looked up to Stein more than any other person he had ever encountered. Ferguson won 11 trophies during his ten year Spell at Aberdeen, which is more than the combined total won during the remainder of the clubs history without him. His legacy will remain part of Aberdeen forever. Without him, Aberdeen's history is at best, a mediocre, less than average side, where maintaining premiership football each season was deemed as a success. Under Ferguson, nothing less than the Annihilation of every other team in the league visiting his Fortress at Aberdeen was enough. In the words of Jorgen Klopp describing his own Liverpool side, Ferguson turned Aberdeen from a side of doubters, into believers, and allowed them to achieve things one never imagined possible for any player in an Aberdeen shirt. His belief, management, and people skills are without equal in the game, and his ability for players to believe in him is remarkable. In any war, on any battlefield, Alex Ferguson would have been the first general chosen for the very hardest of battles your army needed to face.  For he would have proven the equal of any of the greatest Generals in all of wartime history, a true warrior, a fighter and a leader, when all was said and done, as a manager no one had his players backs and welfare more than Alex Ferguson, He is without a single shadow of doubt, the greatest servant Aberdeen Football Club has ever seen. Sir Alex Ferguson. Thank you for the special memories we have carried throughout our lives as a result of your time at our football club, and allowing us to live……..the most impossible dream.

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