Aberdeen FC - History

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Time Line of Events

1881

Aberdeen Football Club a Scottish football team formed on the 08 of Oct 1881.

1882

On the 11 Mar 1882, Aberdeen Football Club played their first game, Coupar Angus 4, Aberdeen 0

1903

On the 14 Apr 1903, Aberdeen Football Club merged with two other Aberdeen based clubs Orion F.C. and Victoria United F.C. to form the current Aberdeen Football Club Ltd.

1904

10 May 1903, Aberdeen Football Club applied for admission to the First Division, but had to play their first season in the Northern League.

Plaque to commemorate the first meeting of Aberdeen FC, Aberdeen, Scotland - Evening Express.

Plaque to commemorate the first meeting of Aberdeen FC, Aberdeen, Scotland

(Pic: Evening Express.)

Advert 1898, Albert Hotel, 9 & 9½ Correction Wynd, Aberdeen, Scotland - Photo courtesy of Fraser Clyne

Advert 1898, Albert Hotel, 9 & 9½ Correction Wynd, Aberdeen, Scotland

Aberdeen F.C.

Foundation of the Aberdeen Association Football Club

On the 06 Oct 1881, a classified advertisement appeared in the pages of the Aberdeen Evening Express inviting interested gentlemen to attend a meeting to be held in the Albert Hotel, 9 & 9½ Correction Wynd, Aberdeen, Scotland, on Sat 8th Oct 1881 at 4 pm to discuss the formation of Aberdeen Football Club.
12 football enthusiasts assembled, 8 School Teachers, 2 Bookbinders, a Medical Student, a Tailor and the rest is history !

 

Actual Newspaper Advertisement Transcribed

ABERDEEN ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB.
GENTLEMEN interested in the Formation of a Club under the above name please attend MEETING to be held in Albert Hotel, Correction Wynd, on Saturday First, at Four p.m.

(Aberdeen Evening Express - Thu 06 Oct 1881 & Fri 07 Oct 1881)


 

(External Link)

Aberdeen FC Heritage Trail

Time Line of Events

1903

On the 15 Aug 1903, the new merged Aberdeen Football Club played their first game, Aberdeen 1 v 1 Stenhousemuir at Pittodrie Park

1903

On the 15 Aug 1903 Captain Willie McAulay scored Aberdeen's first ever goal at Pittodrie Park, against Stenhousemuir.

1904

On the 05 Mar 1904, Aberdeen Football Club won their first trophy, the Aberdeenshire Cup, Aberdeen 3 v 2 Bon Accord at Pittodrie Park

1904

On the 01 May 1904, Aberdeen Football Club applied for admission to the First Division having finished Third in the Northern League, but were admitted to the Second Division replacing Ayr Parkhouse F.C. who in 1910, merged with Ayr F.C. to form Ayr United F.C.

1904

On the 26 Nov 1904, Aberdeen Football Club won the Scottish Qualifying Cup, Aberdeen 2 v 0 Renton at Dens Park

1904

On the 01 May 1905, Aberdeen Football Club applied for admission to the First Division having finished 7th in the Second Division, and are successfull as the First Division is expanded from 14 to 16 teams.

1905

On the 19 Aug 1905, Aberdeen Football Club played their first Div 1 game, Aberdeen 0 v 1 Partick Thistle at Pittodrie Park

1906

Aberdeen's first victory over Celtic at Pittodrie Park, 03 Mar 1906, Aberdeen 1 v 0 Celtic
(The original Aberdeen FC beat Celtic 3 v 1 at Pittodrie Park, 08 Mar 1902 in a Friendly.)

1908

Aberdeen's victory over Arsenal, 23 Apr 1908, Aberdeen 4 v 1 Arsenal at Pittodrie Park

1910

Aberdeen's first victory over Rangers, 17 Sep 1910, Rangers 2 v 4 Aberdeen at Ibrox

1910

Aberdeen's first victory over Rangers at Pittodrie Park, 03 Dec 1910, Aberdeen 1 v 0 Rangers

1911

Aberdeen's first win overseas as part of a tour, 16 May 1911, Slavia Prague 1 v 2 Aberdeen at Prague, Czech Rep

"The Wasps"

One of the earliest know use of the nickname, Wasps.

Good kicking by Louden gave many likely chances, but the Forres forwards could never make any headway against the "Wasps" defence, Strang in particular distinguishing himself by his clever tackling and dribbling.

(The Aberdeen Daily Journal report against Forres Mechanics, dated Monday 19 Sep 1904)


"The Dons"

One of the earliest know use of the nickname, Dons.

Aberdeen's victory even by 1 v 0 over St Mirren is one of the best performances of "The Dons" since their elevation to the First League, and should give them confidence for the future.

(Scottish Referee report against St Mirren, dated Monday 09 Oct 1905)


"The Dons"

An early know use of the nickname, Dons.

Through handicapped in the second stage the "Dons" kept the game open, and except for the loss of a second goal, taken by McPhee seven minutes after the restart, had an equal say in the argument till the finish.

(The Scotsman report against Third Lanark, dated Monday 22 Mar 1909)


"The Dons"

Aberdeen FC Football Card, No 52 The Dons.

A Football Card depicting cartoon caricatures of Aberdeen FC Players wearing their football Black and Gold kit and a Teachers gown robe and hat.

(page 20, "are called the Dons because their home city stands on the River Don.")

(Adventure Football Stamp Album, D.C. Thomson, Adventure, dated 05 Sep 1936)


(An earlier theory as to why they were called the "Dons" is out of the 12 football enthusiasts, who founded the original Aberdeen FC 1881, 8 were School Teachers, "don" meaning "teacher".
Charles 'Chas' Emslie Glennie M.A. was one of the first of three school teachers who instigated the founding of Aberdeen F.C. along with William Stewart and John Alexander McHardy M.A.)

Aberdeen Football Club 1912-13  Team Photo - original B&W picture - No copyright - attached - Colorisation by Graeme Watson 2018.

Aberdeen Football Club 1912-13

Aberdeen Football Club 1938-39, from Graeme Watson's personal collection, Aberdeen F.C. 1938-39 in colour.

Aberdeen Football Club 1938-39

1923

Aberdeen's first victory over Celtic at Celtic Park, 06 Jan 1923, Celtic 1 v 2 Aberdeen

1923

Aberdeen's record win, 10 Feb 1923, Aberdeen 13 v 0 Peterhead at Pittodrie Park

1924

Jock Hutton's Testimonial, 30 Apr 1924, Aberdeen 1 v 1 Liverpool at Pittodrie Park

1925

Victory over Manchester United, 20 Apr 1925 at Old Trafford, Manchester United 0 v 1 Aberdeen, Goalscorer: Wattie Jackson

1925

Draw with Liverpool, 22 Apr 1925 at Anfield, Liverpool 1 v 1 Aberdeen, Goalscorers: Donald McKinlay - Willie Jackson

1930

Record victory over Hibernian, 15 Nov 1930, Aberdeen 7 v 0 Hibernian at Pittodrie Park

1938

Victory over Chelsea, Empire Exhibition Tournament, 27 May 1938, Chelsea 0 v 4 Aberdeen at Ibrox

1939

Aberdeen's last game of the season as the Black and Golds, 29 Apr 1939, Aberdeen 2 v 0 Rangers at Pittodrie Park

1939

Aberdeen's first game of the season in Red and White, 12 Aug 1939, Aberdeen 3 v 1 Celtic

at Pittodrie Park

1947

As the away team in the Semi-Final, Aberdeen wore a change strip of blue shirt with white sleeves, Aberdeen 6 v 2 Hearts at Easter Road

1949

Aberdeen beat East Fife at Bayview Park saving themselves the chance of relegation, 20 Apr 1949, East Fife 1 v 4 Aberdeen

1951

Victory over Sunderland, 16 Apr 1951, Aberdeen 2 v 1 Sunderland at Pittodrie Park

Aberdeen Football Club

History

Aberdeen FC Seasons

Season Index
1903 - 2030

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Aberdeen FC Profile of

Players, Officials & Staff
1940 - 2030

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Aberdeen Football Club

European Nights

Continued

  • Background Divider: Pride of Scotland Flag - This digital image by Graeme Watson 2018.
    A.F.C Official's, Player's, match and staff details source: AFC Heritage - The Official Aberdeen Football Club Heritage Trust.
    Header Background: Aberdeen Football Club, Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, Scotland, 1906-07 - Original B&W picture - No copyright - attached.
    Insert Photo: Insert Image - Aberdeen Football Club 1911 Logo - Designed by Graeme Watson © 2019.
    Insert Article: Newspaper Article, The Aberdeen Daily Journal report against Forres Mechanics, dated Monday 19 Sep 1904. Insert Article: Transcribed by Graeme Watson 2022.
    Insert Article: Newspaper Article, Scottish Referee report against St Mirren, dated Monday 09 Oct 1905. Insert Article: Transcribed by Graeme Watson 2022.
    Insert Article: Newspaper Article, Aberdeen Association Football Club, Aberdeen Evening Express - Thu 06 Oct 1881 & Fri 07 Oct 1881. Insert Article: Transcribed by Graeme Watson 2021.
    We take all reasonable steps to ensure that the information on this website is correct. However, we do not guarantee the correctness or completeness of material on this website.
    Insert Photo: Advert 1898, Albert Hotel, 9 & 9½ Correction Wynd, Aberdeen, Scotland, Courtesy of Fraser Clyne.
    (Clyne, Fraser (2012). The Aberdeen Men Can’t Play Football – An early history of football in Aberdeen, 1881-1903. J. Thompson, Glasgow.)
    E-mail: Fraser Clyne

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Aberdeen F.C. - Family/DNA
An un-official compilation of the family tree of Aberdeen Football Club's official's, player's and staff from 1881 to present from one personal family tree.

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