Gothenburg

Aberdeen announce Gothenburg 40th anniversary plans

89

A weekend of celebrations are planned to mark 40 years since The Gothenburg Greats won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in Gothenburg.

Plans for the weekend start on Thursday 11th May, four decades on from the final and culminate on Sunday 14th May 2023.

The celebrations will start with a gala-dinner on the Thursday before the team will be presented with the Freedom of Aberdeen by the City Council at Pittodrie 24 hours later on Friday 12th May.

This ticketed event will see the club, which is also in its 120th year, and the players that led it to its greatest achievement receive the top civic honour from the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, which was previously bestowed upon Ferguson in 1999.

Player interviews, historic footage and untold stories from the triumph in Gothenburg will also feature at this event which is planned to take place on the pitch and shown on a large screen, with fans able to view proceedings from the Richard Donald Stand.

The festivities will finish with a homecoming game on either Saturday, May 13th, or Sunday, May 14th at which the Gothenburg Greats will be welcomed back to Pittodrie as guests of honour during a Premiership match.

Dave Cormack, Aberdeen FC chairman, said: “Being awarded the Freedom of the City is a tremendous honour for the club and befitting of our greatest-ever team. The Gothenburg Greats have long been assured of their position as legends at the Club and in the city but this special tribute further underlines their place in our history.

“To beat Real Madrid in a European final is an achievement that has only become increasingly impressive over the course of time. Winning the Cup Winners’ Cup and European Super Cup in 1983 was inspirational for the club and city; something that we should remember and cherish.

“This weekend of celebrations will allow our supporters to share in recognising these players and in celebrating with them.”

Willie Miller, who skippered the team at the Ullevi Stadium, said: “It is difficult to believe that four decades have passed since that night in Gothenburg. We were all incredibly fortunate to be part of such great team and are honoured and humbled, in equal measure, by the celebratory events to commemorate our success being laid on by both the Club and the City.

“It will be an emotional weekend where we can reflect on what we achieved and mark what is still one of the best nights of our lives.”

Aberdeen Lord Provost Dr David Cameron added: “I very much look forward to presenting the Club and the Gothenburg Greats with the Freedom on the City. The Club, with its rich history, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup team, with their giant-beating performances, have long been an inspiration for the whole city.

“The Dons’ work within our local communities has also helped bring people together. The event in May promises to have all the excitement and sense of team spirit of the best football matches.”

To celebrate the anniversary, a limited-edition range of merchandise, bearing the anniversary logo, will be available for sale from March onwards.

Further details of May’s special events will be announced in due course. Meanwhile, bookings can be made for Gala Dinner on 11th of May through Harvey Smith at harvey@championsofeurope83.co.uk or 07786561040.

AFC DONScast

AFC DONScast