Aberdeen Football Club: Introduction

Aberdeen Football Club (AFC) is one of Scotland’s most successful and historically significant football clubs. Currently, Aberdeen FC plays in the Scottish Premiership.

The Fanbase staff hopes that the team and supporters have much success in the future. So, below is our detailed overview of the club, covering its history, achievements, and key aspects of its identity:

Before we continue, here’s a link to the club’s official website.

Aberdeen Football Club: Overview

• Full Name: Aberdeen Football Club
• Nickname(s): The Dons, The Reds
• Founded: 1903
• Stadium: Pittodrie Stadium (Capacity: approx. 20,866)
• Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
• Colours: Red and White
• Current League: Scottish Premiership
• Owner: Dave Cormack (Cormack Group)
• Manager: Barry Robson (as of 2023)

Historical Background

Aberdeen FC was formed in 1903 from the merger of three local clubs: Orion, Victoria United, and Aberdeen. The club has always been based in Aberdeen, Scotland’s third-largest city, and their home, Pittodrie Stadium, is one of the oldest football grounds in Scotland.

Aberdeen Football Club: Early Years

For much of the club’s early years, Aberdeen found modest success, consistently competing in the top tier of Scottish football without winning major silverware. It wasn’t until the late 1940s that the club started to experience significant success under manager Dave Halliday.

Golden Era: The 1980s Under Alex Ferguson

Aberdeen’s greatest period of success came in the 1980s under the legendary management of Sir Alex Ferguson (who later became one of the greatest managers in world football at Manchester United).

• Scottish League Championships: Aberdeen won the Scottish league title in 1980, 1984, and 1985.
• Scottish Cups: Aberdeen became a dominant force in domestic cup competitions during this period, winning multiple Scottish Cups.
• European Success: Aberdeen achieved a remarkable victory in European football, winning the prestigious European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1983 by defeating Real Madrid 2-1 after extra time. This victory remains one of Scottish football’s proudest moments. Later in the same year, Aberdeen also won the European Super Cup, defeating Hamburg.

Under Ferguson, Aberdeen also won several Scottish League Cups and finished as a consistent challenger for titles domestically.

Aberdeen Football Club: Notable Achievements

Domestic Success

• Scottish League Titles: 4 (1954–55, 1979–80, 1983–84, 1984–85)
• Scottish Cup: 7 titles (1947, 1970, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1990)
• Scottish League Cup: 6 titles (1955–56, 1976–77, 1985–86, 1989–90, 1995–96, 2013–14)

European Titles

• European Cup Winners’ Cup (1983): This victory over Real Madrid remains Aberdeen’s crowning achievement in European football.
• European Super Cup (1983): Won by defeating Hamburg, this victory secured Aberdeen’s place as one of the few Scottish clubs to win major European silverware.

Aberdeen Football Club: Rivalries

Aberdeen has a fierce rivalry with other Scottish clubs, but their most intense rivalry is with Dundee United in what is known as the “New Firm” rivalry, a reference to the more famous Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers. Games against Dundee United have traditionally been fiercely contested.

Aberdeen also has strong rivalries with Rangers and Celtic, Scotland’s most dominant footballing sides. Matches against these teams are often intense and attract large crowds. Since some of Aberdeen’s rivals are rarely in the same league, the supporters look further afield for a little better rivalry.

Other rivalry also exists to a smaller degree with the following clubs: Peterhead, Brechin City, Montrose, Arbroath, Elgin City, and Forfar Athletic.

Stadium: Pittodrie

Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen’s home ground, is one of the oldest stadiums in Scottish football, and it became the first all-seater stadium in the UK in the 1970s. The name Pittodrie derives from the local area, and the stadium has been Aberdeen’s home since their formation in 1903.

There have been plans in recent years to relocate to a new stadium at Kingsford, just outside Aberdeen, as part of a modern development project. However, Pittodrie remains the spiritual home of the club for now.

The stadium produces a great atmosphere when full and the team is playing well.

Recent History

After the golden era of the 1980s, Aberdeen went through several ups and downs. Although they haven’t been able to match the consistent success of that period, they remain one of the most successful and competitive clubs in Scotland.

• Under Derek McInnes (2013–2021), Aberdeen experienced a resurgence, finishing consistently in the top four of the Scottish Premiership, reaching cup finals, and qualifying for European competition regularly.
• Aberdeen won the Scottish League Cup in 2014, ending a 19-year trophy drought.
• Barry Robson took charge as manager in 2023, with ambitions to restore Aberdeen’s status as a top club in Scottish football.

Youth Development and Talent

Aberdeen has a proud tradition of developing local talent. Players like Willie Miller, Gordon Strachan, Alex McLeish, and more recently, Scott McKenna, have come through the club’s youth ranks to achieve success.

Aberdeen Football Club: Fanbase

Aberdeen boasts a loyal and passionate fanbase, with supporters predominantly from the city of Aberdeen and the surrounding regions. The club is a focal point for the local community, and its fans are known for their strong support, whether at home at Pittodrie or travelling away.

Club Identity and Legacy

• Crest and Badge: The club’s crest features the image of a football with the club’s founding year, 1903, and a ship symbolizing Aberdeen’s status as a port city.
• Colors: The team’s traditional color is red, which they have worn since the 1930s.
• Nickname: “The Dons” refers to the River Don, which flows near Aberdeen. They are also called “The Reds” due to their distinctive red kit.

Notable Managers and Players

• Managers: Sir Alex Ferguson, Derek McInnes, Dave Halliday
• Players: Willie Miller, Gordon Strachan, Alex McLeish, Jim Leighton, Joe Harper

International Presence

Aberdeen is a respected name in European football due to its success in the 1980s. The club’s European triumphs helped cement their place as one of the major footballing institutions in Scotland, along with Celtic and Rangers.

Future Ambitions

Aberdeen FC is focused on building for the future, both on and off the pitch. The club’s ambition is to challenge the dominance of the Old Firm clubs (Rangers and Celtic) and consistently compete in European competitions. They also aim to complete their proposed stadium relocation and maintain a strong link to the community through youth development and fan engagement.

Aberdeen Football Club: In Conclusion

Aberdeen Football Club remains one of Scotland’s most storied football clubs, with a rich history and loyal following. While their golden era may have occurred in the 1980s under Sir Alex Ferguson, the club continues to play a significant role in Scottish football, competing at the highest level and aspiring to return to its former glory.

Promote Aberdeen Football Club

Of course, the whole world wants to know about Aberdeen FC. The reason why the Football Fan Base exists is for supporters to brag about their favourite team. There is a myriad of ways in which to boast about Aberdeen at the Fanbase.

So, now that you understand that you must boast about Aberdeen FC, go ahead and do it. After all, you don’t want other teams to have more publicity!

Finally, the Aberdeen Fans Forum is now part of our message boards. Therefore, this is your invitation to join.

**Information updated on September 9, 2024.