Quote Originally Posted by Donanddusted View Post
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.