Legends One and All

[erchieplum]

I was studying for my degree in London with my finals just a few weeks off so I came up on train with my notes and text books and flew over to Gothenburg with them in bag so that I could revise ,then returning on the flight to Aberdeen I could get the first train South the next morning revising all the way down. This was part of the justification of why I could go so close to my finals

In reality I stayed up for two weeks getting p*ssed and only went back a few days after the Scottish Cup final ....having never opened a book !

my return consisted of congratulations and stories of the disbelief from course tutor who noticing my absence thought I was ill or having a breakdown about the exams only to be told " nah he's in Sweden at the football"

She caught up with me for a discussion but didn't really understand my justification for my absence so close to my finals despite my explaining about John Hewitt popping up yet again with the winner.

I passed my exams and was awarded my degree and a few days later she shouted me over to say that she had still been concerned about my absence and talked it over at home with her husband.

She then said he was a Gillingham FC supporter and put it into context for her :-)

[Shetland Don]

Wis a student at the time. Spent most of my money getting there and didn't have much/any to spend in the pubs. Had my duty free and drank that back in my hotel in Boras after the game. Me and my pal spent most of the night telling each other "we've just won the ECWC. No tales of drunken debauchery, was too much of a sap (Donsdaft may have another word) to jump in the fountain, so all in all a very quiet end to the night but it'll live with me forever

Another great account - getting there, even with a student budget, clearly isn’t something you regret. Memories. Christ I wish I’d been able to have gone.

[Shetland Don]

I was studying for my degree in London with my finals just a few weeks off so I came up on train with my notes and text books and flew over to Gothenburg with them in bag so that I could revise ,then returning on the flight to Aberdeen I could get the first train South the next morning revising all the way down. This was part of the justification of why I could go so close to my finals

In reality I stayed up for two weeks getting p*ssed and only went back a few days after the Scottish Cup final ....having never opened a book !

my return consisted of congratulations and stories of the disbelief from course tutor who noticing my absence thought I was ill or having a breakdown about the exams only to be told " nah he's in Sweden at the football"

She caught up with me for a discussion but didn't really understand my justification for my absence so close to my finals despite my explaining about John Hewitt popping up yet again with the winner.

I passed my exams and was awarded my degree and a few days later she shouted me over to say that she had still been concerned about my absence and talked it over at home with her husband.

She then said he was a Gillingham FC supporter and put it into context for her :-)

You graduated though - well done! Regrets, though, I meanabout the time studying?��

[erchieplum]

You graduated though - well done! Regrets, though, I meanabout the time studying?��

I actually think the break did me good I knew I was going to go to the final therefore I did a lot of the preparation prior to coming up to Aberdeen.( rather than last minute cramming) I was focused because I had an end goal in sight ( The final that is )
I was also a great believer in the power of osmosis in that being so close to my books I would unconsciously assimilate the knowledge without the need to open them.
At 21 years old having a great time and following my team the "finest that's ever been" we were blessed.

[Shetland Don]

I actually think the break did me good I knew I was going to go to the final therefore I did a lot of the preparation prior to coming up to Aberdeen.( rather than last minute cramming) I was focused because I had an end goal in sight ( The final that is )
I was also a great believer in the power of osmosis in that being so close to my books I would unconsciously assimilate the knowledge without the need to open them.
At 21 years old having a great time and following my team the "finest that's ever been" we were blessed.

Great strategy, f*** the studying (worked for me too) … even greater personal history. I’m quite emotional at this time as close family AFC supporters here and in Orkney have recently passed. Im next in line.

[TheDeeDon]

Some cracking stories on this thread. Been a privilege to read them.

Goes to show the difference between fans of fitba over any other sport.

12000 fans getting to Gothenburg in 83 was a fair old achievement considering money was tight for most back then and travelling abroad wasn't as easy/common as it is now.

[TheDeeDon]

That bit was quite a difficult watch.

It was brilliantly put together, with a great soundtrack too. Aberdeen winning set to Arab Strap & Mogwai

Just switched over to the one on SKY. Jim Leightons looking a bit rough round the edges

I often see Leighton in Bridge of Don. Usually see him buying loaf and jam in Home Bargains. He must live on jam pieces.

Maybe the secret to being a great keeper.

[TheDeeDon]

I mind it starting with a minute silence for a fellow Dandie who'd had a heart attack at the game and died

Was reading online that it was a 22 year old loon who died in Gothenburg. A brain hemorrhage.

I hadn't known that.

22 FFS

[medw1311]

Just watched the BBC Documentary and definitely brought a tear to the eye especially when Willie got all emotional about Tattie.

My memory of the night was 8 year old me being allowed to stay up late to watch the game on an old black and white telly of all things.

Then the next afternoon our class at primary school walking down through Middlefield to the lower end of North Anderson Drive to watch the open top bus come past.

The Sky documentary that was on at the same time as the BBC one is being repeated on Sky Sports Football tonight at 6:30pm, Sunday at 8:30am & Monday at 2:30pm if like me you haven't seen it yet.

[DonUnder]

Wonderful story,

Our story started at the Prince of Wales where the owner Peter Birnie made a very special opening for the four of us at 8am. The deal was we took the POW banner to the stadium ( we all forgot and left it in the cabin ) Then down to the ship piped aboard and off we went. Once outside Scottish waters the bar opened it was 30 or 40 p for a tin of Tennents and nips even cheaper. I entered the keepie up competition in them days i could easy do a 100. I managed 3 !! phuckin 3 ! . What an atmosphere the two man band played "The European song endlessly. On board was Gordon Strachan's Sister and the late journo Ian Archer who smoked and dramed his way there and back but a lovely fella.

Gothenburg had few and far between pubs but the one we found was full of Dons fans £26 for 4 pints !!!! in 1983 jings. Off to the game I'd be writing all night if I described that suffice to say the best night ever. After the presentation back to the Ship by laid on bus ..via a fountain full of Dandies including ma wee Brother somehow made sense to be in there as it was a lot drier in there. The St Clair was remarkably quite I think most folk were emotionally drained. But the following night what a phuckin party !!!! I mind it starting with a minute silence for a fellow Dandie who'd had a heart attack at the game and died appropriate and respectful it was. Partied all night . The only raised voice I heard on the whole trip was a crew from a Fraserburgh Trawler arguing whether they should open one of the many 24 case of Tennents they had purchased .. Before or After breakfast. 5 of the most glorious days in my life

Stewarty,

I was also on the St.Clair but only got a last minute seat as I was broke, my old man lent me the 50quid I was short the same day with a 'don't tell yer ma'. Off i went with a markies bag with some spare Y's and shirts must have been mingin by the time i got back. I remember the guys from the Broch on the first night it was rolling a bit and some folk were retiring hurt with sea sickness - those 4 had a case and a bottle each and were saying "blaw ye fckr blaw" with each roll of the boat. I thought they were real mannies hard as nails turns out they weren't much older than old t**nager me. Hard life bein a trawlerman i suppose. Took days to clear the singing from my head when i got back and worked every hour going to pay my old man back within a few weeks. Turned out ma knew all along.

Would be nice to be younger of course but the 80's ...oh what a time to be a Dandy.