Ex-Dons

[57vintage]

57, I wasn't fortunate enough to see any of Eddie's time in charge.
How would you say his teams compared with Fergie's?

Not easy to do, but I’ve always said that I’d have loved to see the 71 squad face up to its 84 equivalent. I’ve often said that the 71 alumni were probably my favourites.

Clark, Boel, Hermiston, S Murray, McMillan, M Buchan, Forrest, Robb, Harper, Willoughby, Graham. Trips off the tongue like Bunn, Wackett, Buzzard, Stubble and Boot. Outrageously skilled, great pace, and hard as fûck. What more could one ask?

Edit: I was once asked to write an article on the above for the Former Players’ Assn mag ‘Heavenly Dancers’. It had to be canny and safe, so that precluded my go-to potty-typed content. I’ll see if I can rescue it from the files and skite its blandness up here.

[Donanddusted]

Not easy to do, but I’ve always said that I’d have loved to see the 71 squad face up to its 84 equivalent. I’ve often said that the 71 alumni were probably my favourites.

Clark, Boel, Hermiston, S Murray, McMillan, M Buchan, Forrest, Robb, Harper, Willoughby, Graham. Trips off the tongue like Bunn, Wackett, Buzzard, Stubble and Boot. Outrageously skilled, great pace, and hard as fûck. What more could one ask?

Edit: I was once asked to write an article on the above for the Former Players’ Assn mag ‘Heavenly Dancers’. It had to be canny and safe, so that precluded my go-to potty-typed content. I’ll see if I can rescue it from the files and skite its blandness up here.

Thanks. I'd look forward to reading that.

[WhenTattieFlooredChas]

Not easy to do, but I’ve always said that I’d have loved to see the 71 squad face up to its 84 equivalent. I’ve often said that the 71 alumni were probably my favourites.

Clark, Boel, Hermiston, S Murray, McMillan, M Buchan, Forrest, Robb, Harper, Willoughby, Graham. Trips off the tongue like Bunn, Wackett, Buzzard, Stubble and Boot. Outrageously skilled, great pace, and hard as fûck. What more could one ask?

Edit: I was once asked to write an article on the above for the Former Players’ Assn mag ‘Heavenly Dancers’. It had to be canny and safe, so that precluded my go-to potty-typed content. I’ll see if I can rescue it from the files and skite its blandness up here.

I worked with Jim Hermiston's son (also Jim). Didn't know him that well but he was a good bloke. Wasn't until he left work to move back to Oz that he fessed up who he was. When I first met him I asked if they were related and just got a very Aussie "nah mate"

At the same time I worked with Stewart McKimmie's cousin. He had never met him. He was nicknamed Legza. McKimmie to Kimbo to Legs a Kimbo to Legza!

I also worked with Lee Dixon's niece. Nothing of interest there really! Can't even remember who he played for.

[57vintage]

Thanks. I'd look forward to reading that.

Et voila...

It had to be safe and canny as the FPs, according to the then chairman Duncan Davidson, numbered many from previous generations, less comfortable with profanity. The FPs' Association is now run and administered by the Heritage Trust. https://afcheritage.org/main.cfm


There’s no doubt that the 75th anniversary of Aberdeen’s birth coincided with its greatest triumphs in conquering Europe whilst leaving all others trailing in our wake at home. To have been alive and capable of witnessing our every triumph then was a privilege and it’s difficult not to feel sorry for those too young to have enjoyed these pinnacles of success. I was in my mid-20s during this period and was able to appreciate it all, having, in common with tens of thousands of others, suffered far more lows than highs in the previous two decades.

But, I often muse, was this the best Dons’ side I witnessed? Perhaps looking back to my early days as a Dons fan my memories are rose-tinted, but the side that ran Celtic close for the First Division title in 1970-71 is up there with the mid-80s squad in my mind.

I recall, back in the late 1960s when IT was in its infancy, there was great excitement when someone developed a computer programme which allowed a virtual scrap to take place between the then undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion (and the man who once met The Washington Whips) Muhammad Ali and 1950s slugger Rocky Marciano, who retired from the ring unbeaten. As I recall, Marciano won the computer-generated bout. What wouldn’t I give to have something similar done in a 70-71 Dons v 83-84 Reds context.

Imagine the tussles between Jim Forrest’s pace and Doug Rougvie’s determination to let nobody past him on the wing, using every fair means (of course, of course) at his disposal? How would Tam McMillan and Martin Buchan have dealt with Eric Black’s ability in the air and Mark McGhee’s perseverance, sometimes baffling close control, and eye for the chance? Would Stuart Kennedy have been able to get forward to support his strikers with such blinding pace if he knew that he’d Bumper to deal with? I’d pay over the odds to watch the midfield battle alone, with Simmie and The Brush each playing their own version of the enforcer role and fellow ex-Dens Parkers Strachan and Steve Murray battling for technical supremacy.

I’d guess that the technical area would require more than a single fourth official to keep Messrs Turnbull and Ferguson in order, although the late Jimmy Bonthrone would probably have laughed at the antics of both passionate winners and I’ve no doubt that a tactical discussion over a beer after the dust had settled would be fascinating listening.

The beauty of it is that we’ll never know, but that does not stop the debates which are the very lifeblood of the game. Put in the context of the FPs’ Association, it doesn’t really matter because EVERYONE who ever had the privilege of pulling on the iconic red or black and gold is appreciated for the contribution they’ve made to our shared passion, even though the shouts from the terracing maybe weren’t always appreciative at the time.

[Donanddusted]

Et voila...

It had to be safe and canny as the FPs, according to the then chairman Duncan Davidson, numbered many from previous generations, less comfortable with profanity. The FPs' Association is now run and administered by the Heritage Trust. https://afcheritage.org/main.cfm


There’s no doubt that the 75th anniversary of Aberdeen’s birth coincided with its greatest triumphs in conquering Europe whilst leaving all others trailing in our wake at home. To have been alive and capable of witnessing our every triumph then was a privilege and it’s difficult not to feel sorry for those too young to have enjoyed these pinnacles of success. I was in my mid-20s during this period and was able to appreciate it all, having, in common with tens of thousands of others, suffered far more lows than highs in the previous two decades.

But, I often muse, was this the best Dons’ side I witnessed? Perhaps looking back to my early days as a Dons fan my memories are rose-tinted, but the side that ran Celtic close for the First Division title in 1970-71 is up there with the mid-80s squad in my mind.

I recall, back in the late 1960s when IT was in its infancy, there was great excitement when someone developed a computer programme which allowed a virtual scrap to take place between the then undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion (and the man who once met The Washington Whips) Muhammad Ali and 1950s slugger Rocky Marciano, who retired from the ring unbeaten. As I recall, Marciano won the computer-generated bout. What wouldn’t I give to have something similar done in a 70-71 Dons v 83-84 Reds context.

Imagine the tussles between Jim Forrest’s pace and Doug Rougvie’s determination to let nobody past him on the wing, using every fair means (of course, of course) at his disposal? How would Tam McMillan and Martin Buchan have dealt with Eric Black’s ability in the air and Mark McGhee’s perseverance, sometimes baffling close control, and eye for the chance? Would Stuart Kennedy have been able to get forward to support his strikers with such blinding pace if he knew that he’d Bumper to deal with? I’d pay over the odds to watch the midfield battle alone, with Simmie and The Brush each playing their own version of the enforcer role and fellow ex-Dens Parkers Strachan and Steve Murray battling for technical supremacy.

I’d guess that the technical area would require more than a single fourth official to keep Messrs Turnbull and Ferguson in order, although the late Jimmy Bonthrone would probably have laughed at the antics of both passionate winners and I’ve no doubt that a tactical discussion over a beer after the dust had settled would be fascinating listening.

The beauty of it is that we’ll never know, but that does not stop the debates which are the very lifeblood of the game. Put in the context of the FPs’ Association, it doesn’t really matter because EVERYONE who ever had the privilege of pulling on the iconic red or black and gold is appreciated for the contribution they’ve made to our shared passion, even though the shouts from the terracing maybe weren’t always appreciative at the time.

Cheers, 57.
You had at least the benefit of seeing a great team twice.

Those of us growing up in the Fergie years never realised we'd never had it so good until it was gone.

My oldest is bemused when I talk of us bettering the likes of Hamburg, Real and Bayern, briefly wonders how this was possible before going back to see the latest gossip about Citeh's big player....*sigh*

Until very recently I believe he thought him following the Dons was Karma's way of allowing Citeh's "runaway success".

57, who would you have replaced in Fergie's best team for the same position in Turnbull's?

[57vintage]

57, who would you have replaced in Fergie's best team for the same position in Turnbull's?

Ooooft, what a question.

Turnbull played 4-3-3 as default, which makes it doubly difficult.

On shirt numbers, McLeish was a better centre half than Tommy McMillan, but Tommy's partnership with Martin Buchan was intuitive and solid.

At 10 in the ECWC final team, Eric Black was a better player than Willoughby, who was played a bit further back (and at right back for a spell under Bonthrone).

Buchan and Willie Miller - unable to separate the two, likewise Harper and Dingus on their best days.

Leighton was probably a better 'keeper than Clark, but Bobby was a very good 'keeper who communicated well, and could kick the ball further than Jim.

[Donanddusted]

Black was always a favourite of mine. McGhee's underbite used to give me the fear!

[Shetland Don]

[QUOTE=57vintage;40259438]Et voila...

It had to be safe and canny as the FPs, according to the then chairman Duncan Davidson, numbered many from previous generations, less comfortable with profanity. The FPs' Association is now run and administered by the Heritage Trust. https://afcheritage.org/main.cfm


There’s no doubt that the 75th anniversary of Aberdeen’s birth coincided with its greatest triumphs in conquering Europe whilst leaving all others trailing in our wake at home. To have been alive and capable of witnessing our every triumph then was a privilege and it’s difficult not to feel sorry for those too young to have enjoyed these pinnacles of success. I was in my mid-20s during this period and was able to appreciate it all, having, in common with tens of thousands of others, suffered far more lows than highs in the previous two decades.

But, I often muse, was this the best Dons’ side I witnessed? Perhaps looking back to my early days as a Dons fan my memories are rose-tinted, but the side that ran Celtic close for the First Division title in 1970-71 is up there with the mid-80s squad in my mind.

I recall, back in the late 1960s when IT was in its infancy, there was great excitement when someone developed a computer programme which allowed a virtual scrap to take place between the then undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion (and the man who once met The Washington Whips) Muhammad Ali and 1950s slugger Rocky Marciano, who retired from the ring unbeaten. As I recall, Marciano won the computer-generated bout. What wouldn’t I give to have something similar done in a 70-71 Dons v 83-84 Reds context.

Imagine the tussles between Jim Forrest’s pace and Doug Rougvie’s determination to let nobody past him on the wing, using every fair means (of course, of course) at his disposal? How would Tam McMillan and Martin Buchan have dealt with Eric Black’s ability in the air and Mark McGhee’s perseverance, sometimes baffling close control, and eye for the chance? Would Stuart Kennedy have been able to get forward to support his strikers with such blinding pace if he knew that he’d Bumper to deal with? I’d pay over the odds to watch the midfield battle alone, with Simmie and The Brush each playing their own version of the enforcer role and fellow ex-Dens Parkers Strachan and Steve Murray battling for technical supremacy.

I’d guess that the technical area would require more than a single fourth official to keep Messrs Turnbull and Ferguson in order, although the late Jimmy Bonthrone would probably have laughed at the antics of both passionate winners and I’ve no doubt that a tactical discussion over a beer after the dust had settled would be fascinating listening.

The beauty of it is that we’ll never know, but that does not stop the debates which are the very lifeblood of the game. Put in the context of the FPs’ Association, it doesn’t really matter because EVERYONE who ever had the privilege of pulling on the iconic red or black and gold is appreciated for the contribution they’ve made to our shared passion, even though the shouts from the terracing maybe weren’t always appreciative at the time.[/QUOTE

Good, well-written piece.

[Mason89]

Ooooft, what a question.

Turnbull played 4-3-3 as default, which makes it doubly difficult.

On shirt numbers, McLeish was a better centre half than Tommy McMillan, but Tommy's partnership with Martin Buchan was intuitive and solid.

At 10 in the ECWC final team, Eric Black was a better player than Willoughby, who was played a bit further back (and at right back for a spell under Bonthrone).

Buchan and Willie Miller - unable to separate the two, likewise Harper and Dingus on their best days.

Leighton was probably a better 'keeper than Clark, but Bobby was a very good 'keeper who communicated well, and could kick the ball further than Jim.

I’ve mentioned it before but when Drew Busby (178 games 0 medals) used to get pished, you couldn’t shut him up about that Aberdeen team. Buchan was the classiest defender he ever played against, Boel the hardest, Varga the best player he played against & Bumper could skin defenders inside & out.

He also rated Willie Johnston though, so there were a few arguments too

[InversneckieDob]

Buchan was a great player.
I'd say he was a better football player than Willie, but Willie was a better defender.