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Aberdeen Football Club (Aberdeen Association Football Club) a Scottish football team formed on the 08 of Oct 1881. Aberdeen Association Football Club took possession of Pittodrie or Gallows Marsh as it was known in 1891, which was a former dung hill for police horses, which they leased from Mr. Knight Erskine of Pittodrie, on a ten-year lease.
(The club purchased the ground on the 10 Nov 1904 for £5,668 completing the purchase on the 03 July 1920 with the balance of the purchase price £2,900 being paid to the Aberdeen Land Association.)
Trivia
When the ground was first developed they built a grandstand that could hold 1,000 spectators, built by Mr Thomson of Stonehaven. Erected a strong wall with paling around the ground, built by Mr Peter Tawse and paling around the pitch was by Mr J. Farquhar of Broomhill Road.
On the 02 Sept 1899, the ground was officially opened with the first game played a friendly, Aberdeen 7-1 Dumbarton, goal scorer's Aberdeen, Shiach 3, Gray 2, Fullarton 1, Dumbarton 1 (o.g.) and Dumbarton's, Millar 1. Aberdeen's, Alexander "Alex" Shiach No 11 outside left was the first player to score and went on to score a hat-trick, scoring at both end's of the ground, attendance: 2,100.
They had previously played at;
Holburn Cricket Ground, 11 Mar 1882 - 11 Feb 1888 (Broomhill Road)
The Chanonry, 25 Feb 1888 - 16 Apr 1898 (now Cruickshank Botanic Gardens)
Central Park, 03 Sep 1898 - 04 May 1899 (Kittybrewster).
They also played at;
Recreation Grounds 04 Oct 1884 - 27 Mar 1886 (Inches)
Aberdeen Grammar School 07 Oct 1882 & 12 Apr 1884 (2 Games) (Whitehall Place).
Current ground;
02 Sep 1899 - 20 Apr 1968 Pittodrie Park
03 Aug 1968 - Pittodrie Stadium.
Sketch of Pittodrie as it was for the opening in 1899.
Pittodrie Sketch Feb 1900
Aberdeen University Special Collections
engineering drawings of Pittodrie from 1899.
Area of current Pittodrie ground, plan for Pittodrie Park, home of original Aberdeen Football Club. In colour showing sections of ground to be removed. 1899. (MS 3860/776)
![Aberdeen Football Club - Recreation Ground at Merkland [Pittodrie Park]. 1899. - Photo courtesy of University of Aberdeen](img/aberdeen-football-club-ground-plan-1899-ms3860_775_2.jpg "Aberdeen Football Club - Recreation Ground at Merkland [Pittodrie Park]. 1899.")
Original Aberdeen Football Club pitch [Pittodrie Park, 1899]: "Aberdeen Football Club - Sections of Recreation Ground at Merkland Road". 13 Mar 1899. (MS 3860/775/2)
The plans were found by the Aberdeen University Special Collections department when cataloguing the MacDonald maps and plans collection, which dates to the late 1800s.
Plan of Aberdeen Football Club ground, highlighted in pink, and surrounding area including Trinity Cemetery, Broad Hill, St Peters Cemetery and King Street. 1899. (MS 3860/774). Plans by Beattie & Macdonald, C.E., Surveyors and Architects, who had offices at 21 Bridge Street in Aberdeen.
On the 14 Apr 1903, the first Aberdeen FC club merged with Orion FC and Victoria Utd FC to form the current Aberdeen Football Club, (Aberdeen Football Club Ltd). The new amalgamated Aberdeen Football Club played their first game at Pittodrie Park in the Northern League, On the 15 Aug 1903 Aberdeen 1 v 1 Stenhousemuir, goal scorer's Aberdeen's, William "Willie" McAulay No 10 (Captain), 1st half and Stenhousemuir's, Porteous 2nd half, attendance: 8,000.
Trivia
In 1905 Pittodrie Park recieved a facelift, the stand which had previously belonged to Orion FC at Cattofield
was removed and in the north-east corner of the ground a new pavilion was built, a mock-tudor style, in wood and iron.
This is where the dressing rooms, bathrooms, for both teams was situated, plus a referee’s suite and a large store.
The first floor also consisted of a large recreation room, secretary’s office and committee room, with a verandah screened by open arches rising
from a decorative balustrade which covered the width of the building on the ground floor, the upper verandah was partially enclosed by glazed
panels on the right side.
Pittodrie in the 1920's
Pittodrie in the 1920's
The old pavilion at Pittodrie in the 1920's
View from The King Street End Stand (Merkland Road Family Stand), Aberdeen 1 v 1 Rangers at Pittodrie, 07 Sept 1929.
Aerial view of Pittodrie Stadium c.1929. Present day, Left: Main Stand, Bottom: Merkland Road, Right: South Stand and Top: Richard Donald Stand.
Pittodrie Park 1940's, Present day, Right: Main Stand, Top: Merkland Road Stand.
View from Broad Hill to Pittodrie Stadium, Richard Donald Stand and South Stand, 2015.
Pittodrie Stadium Map
The Main Stand was constructed in 1921, designed by Mr Archibald Leitch, Architect and was finished by 1928. It houses the club offices, dressing rooms and teams enter the pitch from a tunnel to the extreme left of this stand near the Richard Donald stand.
The Official opening of the partly constructed Main Stand which could hold 5,000 spectators, was on the 20 Aug 1921, attendance: 16,000 in a Div 1 match, Aberdeen 1 v 0 Ayr United, goal scorer Aberdeen's, John Miller. The reserves also played on the 15 Aug 1921 beating Dundee 4 v 1, attendance: 10,000.
A corner extension to the grandstand was added between the Main Stand and the Beach End terrace.
In 1968 the Main Stand had a re-development, as part of a £50,000 facelift. The Main Stand at the front had been a standing area since it was built, that standing area was removed to make way for new seating and dugouts. A cantilevered roof was constructed, the old roof gable was removed, seating for 6,000 spectators, concrete terraces, steel crush barriers were added, and the ground also changed it's name from Pittodrie Park to Pittodrie Stadium.
On the 06 Feb 1971, a fire destroyed part of the Main Stand, next to the Richard Donald stand and gutted the dressing rooms and club offices. The firemen at the time where pictured saving Aberdeen's Scottish Cup and other trophys, this part of the stand was re-built.
In 1985 the Club installed 24 executive boxes in the Main Stand.
The South Stand was originally an embankment which was remodelled as a standing terrace, seating was added in 1978 and a large single tiered cantilever roof was later added in 1980.
The first game played as an all seater stadium and official opening was a friendly 05 Aug 1978, Aberdeen 3 v 1 Tottenham Hotspur, goal scorer's Aberdeen's, Joe Harper 17', Steve Archibald 42', Drew Jarvie 66' and Tottenham's Peter Taylor 54', attendance: 18,000.
Match Programme
The first game with the new roof was on the 26 Jul 1980, Aberdeen 4 v 1 Airdrie in the Drybrough Cup Quarter Final, attendance: 9,000. Aberdeen went on to win the Cup 2 v 1 against St Mirren on the 02 Aug 1980.
The stand was officially opened with Aberdeen playing Arsenal in a Callenge Match on the 03 Aug 1980, Aberdeen 2 v 1 Arsenal, goal scorer's Aberdeen's, Andy Watson, Willie Miller and Arsenal's Frank Stapleton, attendance: 13,698.
Match Programme
The King Street End Stand (Merkland Road Family Stand) had a roof added in 1934. In 1965 the corner of the King Street End was extended before the major development of the Main Stand
in 1968. On 09 Oct 1985 after the stand had been rebuilt the stand was officially opened with Aberdeen playing Dundee Utd in a League Cup semi-final 2nd leg. Aberdeen 1 v 0 Dundee Utd, goal scorer Aberdeen's, Frank McDougall 68', attendance: 20,000.
Match Programme
25 Apr 1992, Aberdeen 1 v 1 Falkirk, view to the Beach End Stand, at the last match before it was demolished.
The Beach End Stand a standing terrace, had a roof constructed over it in 1958 by 1978 it had been converted to all seating.
The last match before being demolished was on the 25 Apr 1992, Aberdeen 1 v 1 Falkirk, Premier Division, goal scorer's Aberdeen's, Scott Booth 58' and Falkirk's,
Thomas McQueen 36' (pen.), attendance: 6,461.
Match Programme
Richard Donald Stand 2015.
A new two-tier Richard Donald
stand with a row of executive boxes running across the middle, named after the club's long serving chairman was constructed in its place at a cost of £4.5 million. The stand was constructed by Stewart Milne Construction, Stewart Milne later became a Director in 1994 then Chairman of the Club between 1998 to 2019.
On 10 Aug 1993, the new stand was opened with a League Cup 2nd round game, Aberdeen 5 v 0 Clydebank, goal scorer's Aberdeen's, Duncan Shearer 3' (pen.), 69', 72', Alex McLeish 49', Lee Richardson 66', attendance: 11,394.
Match Programme
The Official opening of the Richard Donald Stand was on the 18 Aug 1993, a Friendly, Aberdeen 1 v 1 Hamburg SV, goal scorer's Aberdeen, Duncan Shearer 35' and Hamburg's Michael Kostner. Aberdeen won 3 v 1 on penalties scored by Paul Kane, Joe Miller and Scott Booth, attendance: 11,088.
Match Programme
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Pittodrie Stadium, Capacity: 20,866 - Field size: 109 yd × 72 yd (100 m × 66 m) - Surface: Grass
Pittodrie Stadium, record win against Livingston - in the Scottish Premiership, Aberdeen 5 v 0 Livington, 27 Aug 2022
Pittodrie Stadium, record win against Ross County - in the Scottish Premiership, Aberdeen 4 v 0 Ross County, 15 Oct 2016
Pittodrie Stadium, record win against Ross County - in the Scottish Premiership, Aberdeen 4 v 0 Ross County, 07 Feb 2015
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen's first ever live commentary via the internet, SPL - Aberdeen 1 v 1 Rangers, 23 Sep 1998
Pittodrie Stadium, record win against Hearts - in the Premier Division, Aberdeen 5 v 0 Hearts, 02 Feb 1991
Pittodrie Stadium, undersoil heating with pop up sprinklers was officially unveiled costing £160.000, 23 Nov 1987
Pittodrie Stadium, record win against St Johnstone - in the Premier Division, Aberdeen 5 v 0 St Johnstone, 03 Sep 1983
Pittodrie Stadium, record win against Hibernian - in the Premier Division, Aberdeen 5 v 0 Hibernian, 14 May 1983
Pittodrie Stadium, converted bench-seating to individual plastic seats round three sides of the ground, the Main Stand was all-seated, so becoming
"all-seated", "all-covered" ground. The first game was the new Aberdeen Tournament, Aberdeen 3 v 0 West Ham United, 01 Aug 1981
Pittodrie Stadium, a voucher system is introduced to regulate the attendance at Pittodrie - 04 Jan 1981
Pittodrie Stadium, a brand New TV gantry over the South Stand was used for the first time, 06 Sep 1980
Pittodrie Stadium, record win against Hearts - in the Premier Division, Aberdeen 5 v 0 Hearts, 02 May 1979
Pittodrie Stadium, record win in the - Premier Division, Aberdeen 8 v 0 Motherwell, 26 Mar 1979
Pittodrie Stadium, host a crowd of over 30,000 for the last time, Scottish Cup 3rd Round, Aberdeen 1 v 1 Rangers, 25 Jan 1975
Pittodrie Stadium, Part of the Main Stand is badly damaged by fire, having devasting effect upon the Team for their remainder of the season.
The Fire Brigade are pictured saving the Scottish Cup, 06 Feb 1971
Redevelopment - Pittodrie Park became Pittodrie Stadium, 11 Aug 1968
Pittodrie Park, record win against Dundee United - Div 1 (Old), Aberdeen 6 v 0 Dundee United, 14 Oct 1967
Pittodrie Park, record win in a - European Competition, Aberdeen 10 v 0 KR Reykjavik, 06 Sep 1967
Pittodrie Park, record win in - Div 1, Aberdeen 10 v 0 Raith Rovers, 13 Oct 1962
Pittodrie Park, record win against Rangers - Div 1 (Old), Aberdeen 6 v 1 Rangers, 08 Apr 1961
Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen FC, beat Hibernian 6 v 4 in their first televised league game - 26 Dec 1959
Pittodrie Park, first use of Floodlights, Friendly, Aberdeen 3 v 2 Luton Town, 21 Oct 1959
Pittodrie Park, record mid-week crowd, Scottish Cup Quarter Final Replay, Aberdeen 2 v 0 Hearts, Attendance: 41,345 - 09 Mar 1955
Pittodrie Park, record crowd, Scottish Cup Quarter Final, Aberdeen 3 v 0 Hearts, Attendance: 45,061 - 13 Mar 1954
Pittodrie Park, first time a white ball was used instead of the brown ball in the last few minitues of the game, Aberdeen 3 v 1 Morton, 15 Dec 1951
Pittodrie Park, first all ticketed game, Scottish Cup Round 2, Aberdeen 3 v 1 Hearts, Attendance: 42,000 - 11 Feb 1950
Pittodrie Park, new crowd record attendance for a League game at Pittodrie 43,800 against Rangers, 03 Apr 1948
Pittodrie Park, record win - League Cup, Aberdeen 9 v 0 Queen of the South, 13 Sep 1947
Pittodrie Park, new record crowd for a pre-season trial game, Attendance: 17,000 - Red 2 v 3 Blues, 01 Aug 1947
Pittodrie Park, record win against Ayr United - Scottish Cup 2nd Round, Aberdeen 8 v 0 Ayr United, 08 Feb 1947
Pittodrie Park, record win against Celtic - Div 1 (Old), Aberdeen 6 v 2 Celtic, 17 Aug 1946
Pittodrie Park, record win against Dundee United - North Eastern League, Aberdeen 6 v 0 Dundee United, 05 May 1945
Pittodrie Park, record win against Hearts - North Eastern League, Aberdeen 7 v 0 Hearts, 18 Nov 1944
Pittodrie Park, record win against Hearts - North Eastern Supplementary Cup, Aberdeen 9 v 1 Hearts, 21 Nov 1942
Pittodrie Park, record win in the - North Eastern League, Aberdeen 9 v 0 Leith Athletic, 16 Aug 1941
Pittodrie Park, record win in the - Regional League East, Aberdeen 8 v 1 Cowdenbeath, 13 Jan 1940
Pittodrie Park, record win against Hamilton - Div 1 (Old), Aberdeen 5 v 0 Hamilton, 05 Nov 1938
Pittodrie Park, fastest goal claimed in 2 seconds - Reserves, Aberdeen 3 v 2 Ayr United, scored by John Campbell, 16 Oct 1937
Pittodrie Park, new record crowd for a League game, Attendance: 35,000 - Aberdeen 1 v 0 Rangers, 23 Nov 1935
Pittodrie Park, the dugout was introduced to football by Donald Colman in the 1934-35 season
Pittodrie Park, record win against Ayr United - Div 1 (Old), Aberdeen 8 v 0 Ayr United, 12 Aug 1933
Pittodrie Park, record win against Kilmarnock - Div 1 (Old), Aberdeen 7 v 1 Kilmarnock, 24 Aug 1932
Pittodrie Park, record win against Hamilton - Div 1 (Old), Aberdeen 5 v 0 Hamilton, 19 Mar 1932
Pittodrie Park, record win against Dundee - Div 1 (Old), Aberdeen 6 v 1 Dundee, 01 Jan 1931
Pittodrie Park, record win against Hibernian - Div 1 (Old), Aberdeen 7 v 0 Hibernian, 15 Nov 1930
Pittodrie Park, record win against St Mirren - Div 1 (Old), Aberdeen 6 v 0 St Mirren, 12 Jan 1929
Pittodrie Park, record seven goals scored in first 20 min - Div 1 (Old), Aberdeen 6 v 5 Hearts, 20 Nov 1926
Pittodrie Park, record win - Scottish Cup 3rd Rd, Aberdeen 13 v 0 Peterhead, 10 Feb 1923
Pittodrie Park, new crowd record attendance for a game at Pittodrie 28,000 against Dundee, 25 Feb 1922
Pittodrie Park, new crowd record attendance for a League game at Pittodrie 25,000 against Celtic, 29 Nov 1919
Pittodrie Park, record win against Hamilton - Div 1 (Old), Aberdeen 5 v 0 Hamilton, 24 Jan 1914
Pittodrie Park, record win in - Div 2, Aberdeen 7 v 2 Albion Rovers, 04 Mar 1905
Pittodrie Park, record win in the - Northern League, Aberdeen 8 v 1 Lochgelly Utd, 28 Nov 1903
Original Aberdeen FC at Pittodrie Park
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Pittodrie Park, record win against Lochee United - Northern League, Aberdeen 8 v 1 Lochee United, 11 Jan 1902
Pittodrie Park, record win against Montrose - Northern League, Aberdeen 6 v 0 Montrose, 28 Dec 1901
Pittodrie Park, record win against Forfar Athletic - Northern League, Aberdeen 4 v 1 Forfar Athletic, 06 Apr 1901
Pittodrie Park, record win in a Friendly, Aberdeen 7 v 1 Dumbarton, 02 Sep 1899
Aberdeen FC Women at Pittodrie Stadium
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Pittodrie Stadium, first win for Aberdeen FC Women against Glasgow Women 2 v 0 - SWPL 1, 30 Oct 2022
Pittodrie Stadium, hosted Aberdeen FC Women for the first time against Rangers - SWPL 1, 23 Mar 2022
The King Street End Stand (Merkland Road Family Stand) (Granite Façade, completed: 21 Jul 1928)
The entrance to the stand is a façade constructed from granite, a local Aberdeen stone which has given Aberdeen the epithet The Granite City.
The King Street End Stand (Merkland Road Family Stand)
The Red Shed, was tested during the Scottish Cup clashes at Pittodrie during the 2019-20 season. It changed the The King Street End Stand (Merkland Road Family Stand) from a family sitting area to a standing area with flags and atmosphere. Aberdeen announced the "Red Shed" would become a permanent fixture for the 2020-21 season, but was later postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis.
The King Street End Stand (Merkland Road Family Stand) 12 Aug 2021
The Red Shed back in action, Europa Conference League, Qualifying 3rd Preliminary Rd 2nd Leg,
12 Aug 2021 Aberdeen 2 v 1 Breiðablik, Hedges 47', 70' - Eyjólfsson 59' (5 v 3 agg), attendance: 15,107.
Match Programme
Aberdeen FC’s proposed £50 million stadium and training facilities at Kingswells, near Westhill, was approved by the Aberdeen City Council in 2018.
Sir Alex Ferguson officially opened Cormack Park on the 31 Oct 2019, the new multi-million pound training complex, community sports hub and Bobby Clark football academy at Kingswells, Aberdeen, Scotland.
(Named after Chairman Dave Cormack, for his significant contribution to the project.)
24 Apr 2020, Aberdeen have put plans for the new Kingsford Stadium at Kingswells, on hold due the COVID-19 crisis.
View to beach and North Sea from the Aberdeen foreshore, next to the Beach Ballroom.
14 Dec 2021, Chairman Dave Cormack has said, he doesn't expect the new stadium to be ready before the 2025-26 season at the earliest, either at Kingswells or the beach.
26 Feb 2022, Sir Alex Ferguson, a statue is unveiled in his honour at Pittodrie Stadium,
the most successful manager in British history. The statue is on display at the Richard Donald Stand Concourse.
Andy Edwards, of Cornvoii Edwards, produced the bronze sculpture based on a photograph taken of Sir Alex at Easter Road on the 03 May 1980 celebrating his Dons side winning the
Scottish Premier Division, Hibernian 0 v 5 Aberdeen, goal scorer's Aberdeen, Archibald 26', Watson 28', Scanlon 67', 88', Mark McGhee 84'.
Match Programme
The Official homecoming match for Sir Alex, 26 Feb 2022, Scottish Premier League, Aberdeen 1 v 1 Dundee United, goal scorer's, Edwards 16' (o.g.) - McNulty 4' (pen.), attendance: 18,719 also new manager Jim Goodwin's first home match.
Match Programme
20 Apr 2022, Dave Cormack says Aberdeen's new stadium will cost between £70m and £75m - around £30m more than a previous estimate.
27 Jul 2022, A designated family area is located at the Richard Donald Stand Upper Block 5 as from the
06 Aug 2022 Aberdeen 4 v 1 St Mirren, goal scorer's, Miovski 24' (pen.), 37', Clarkson 45', Lopes 87' - Ayunga 55' (pen.), attendance: 14,420.
Match Programme
25 Oct 2022, Scottish football’s governing body has thrown its backing behind proposals for a new stadium at Aberdeen beach. The Scottish Football Association (SFA) believe the plans would have a transformative impact on the region’s sporting profile and ensure that Aberdeen could be considered for more regular international fixtures.
A report by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce and MKA Economics projected that the facilities could inject at least £1 billion into the local economy over the next 50 years.
Author: AFC Media
12 Dec 2023, Aberdeen reveal plan to build stadium for women's team at Cormack Park.
Aberdeen also aim to build an indoor all weather full-size pitch at Cormack Park in a bid to deliver a 'world class' facility. The proposed facility would be at the Neale Cooper pitch.
Author: Press and Journal
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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, 2015 - Copyright © 2015 Graeme Watson.
Insert Photo: Richard Donald Stand 2015 - Copyright © 2015 Graeme Watson.
Insert Photo: View from Broad Hill to Pittodrie Stadium, Richard Donald Stand and South Stand, 2015 - Copyright © 2015 Graeme Watson.
Insert Photo: View to beach and North Sea from the Aberdeen foreshore, next to the Beach Ballroom, 2015 - Copyright © 2015 Graeme Watson.
Insert Photo: Pittodrie Stadium, Map - Copyright © 2020 Graeme Watson.
Insert Photo: Europa Conference League Qualifying 3rd Preliminary Rd 2nd Leg Aberdeen 2 v 1 Breidablik - Courtesy of Rocco Harper.
Insert Photo's: Pittodrie in the 1920's, The old grandstand at Pittodrie in the 1920's & Aerial view of Pittodrie Stadium c.1929 - Original B&W picture's - No copyright - attached.
Insert Photo: Aberdeen 1 v 1 Rangers at Pittodrie, 07 Sept 1929 - Original B&W picture - No copyright - attached.
Insert Photo: Pittodrie Park 1940's - Original B&W picture - No copyright - attached.
Insert Photo: Aerial view of Pittodrie Stadium c.1929 - Original B&W picture - No copyright - attached.
Additional information source: (Stirling, Kevin (1986). Aberdeen A Centenary History 1903 - 2003. Desert Island Books Ltd, Essex.)
Additional information source: (Webster, Jack (2003). The First 100 years of The Dons: The official history of Aberdeen Football Club 1903 – 2003. Hodder & Stoughton, London.)
Insert Photo: 25 Apr 1992, Aberdeen 1 v 1 Falkirk, View to the Beach End Stand, at the last match before it was demolished - Colin Smith, This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
Insert Photo's: Aberdeen Football Club Ground and Surrounding Area: Plan, MS 3860/774. N.p., 1899. Print. Beattie et al. Aberdeen Football Club - Recreation Ground at Merkland Road [Pittodrie Park]: Plans, MS 3860/775/2. N.p., 1899. Print. Aberdeen Football Club Ground: Plan, MS 3860/776. N.p., 1899. Print. Photo's courtesy of University of Aberdeen
Additional information source & Insert Photo: Pittodrie Sketch Feb 1900 B&W, 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
About
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.