Andrew’s Considine's special RedMatchday souvenir programme

There is his Pittodrie story:

We are here to honour one of our own. A player who had dedicated his young life to Aberdeen Football Club. A true professional on and off the park. Here is his story….

…. “I played with Banchory until I was about 11. It was at that age I first got scouted by the club when I was playing at the Aberdeen International Football Festival. They invited me to go in for trials and from there, I was a part of the Youth Academy all the way up to 16.

…. “I was an Aberdeen fan when I was younger. I have always supported the club and I used to come to a lot of games. When you were part of the youth academy, you always used to get two tickets to come along and watch the team on a Saturday, so my dad would always take me.

…. “Even to this day, my friends tell me that it is not a real job! But the amount of work and effort you have to put in to get to this level where you are playing week in week out on a Saturday is incredible. There is so much work that has to be put in. You really have to dig deep and get your head screwed on. There are also so many sacrifices you have to make.

…. “I was on the bench at Partick, Livingston and then came on in the game against Dundee. Steve Paterson was the manager who handed me my debut. I will always be grateful to him for doing that. I know we lost, but it was a very special game for me. I played alongside Markus Heikkinen. Although I remember what happened before and after the match and I can hardly remember the actual game because I was that nervous!

…. “Even going into the second leg, we felt it was there for us as we had held our own at Pittodrie. We had nothing to lose going over there. It was a very hostile atmosphere in the Ukraine, the stadium was very old school to say the least, but we went 1-0 up thanks to that goal from Darren. They equalised and we were under unbelievable pressure, but what a feeling when the final whistle went. I can’t remember a game where we defended like that for 90 minutes.

…. “The man management side of it, which is a massive part of the game, has helped the whole squad. There is an acceptance that if you make a mistake, you forget about it and go again. So within reason, players have a freedom to go out and play. You are not terrified of making a mistake. Don’t get me wrong, we all have our jobs to do and if we do mess up badly the manager and Tony Doc will let us know about it!

Andrew also picks his top five matches from the past 10 years:

“I remember getting back into the house after the Motherwell game and I just burst into tears. I had to work so hard to get back. I had been through so much pain. John Sharp had put me in so much pain running up and down those stairs in the lower Richard Donald stand and over the sand dunes in pre-season. I had been through so much just to get back

We received testimonials from a wide range of people involved in the game. Here is just a small taster. You can read the tributes in full in Friday night’s programme:

For many of us Aberdonians of a certain age, the Considine surname goes back a long way. I suspect I'm not the only one who remembers Doug Considine breaking through at Pittodrie after joining from Huntly in 1978. Doug, originally an Edinburgh lad eventually settled in Banchory after his playing days. Thankfully the family tradition was passed on to Doug's son.

Andrew, just like his father, has never shirked responsibility on the pitch and it's wonderful to see a player of this era, commit his career to the local football club. You get the impression he's living the dream just like the rest of us North East loons and quines. This is a well deserved night in the spotlight for one of the Dons' own. Here's to many more years wearing the red shirt, Andrew.
Derek Rae, BT Sport

Having been involved with Aberdeen Football Club since the mid-nineties, I have been fortunate enough to have witnessed Andy transform from a somewhat shy youth team player into the composed, confident and accomplished defender he is today.

In the modern era, Andy is something of a rarity, a one club man who is more than happy to remain with the team he has supported since a young boy, when he watched his father Doug playing for the Dons at Pittodrie.
And, like a fine wine, as he’s matured, he’s got better and is arguably playing the best football of his career right now. Given, he is still only 27, and has recently signed a new contract, we can expect even more from Andy is the season ahead.

This is your night Andy, enjoy it! You most certainly deserve it.
Dave Macdermid, RedTV

His contribution was recognised three years ago when he scooped both the Player’s Player and Player of the Year honours at the annual Aberdeen FC awards night at the Exhibition Centre, trophies he accepted in a typically humble way. There is nothing flashy about Andrew, he’s quieter than many of his teammates, and just gets on with the job, and that made his success that season even more notable.
Richard Gordon, BBC Scotland

It’s quite an achievement to be picked for a club by five different managers. Steve Paterson, Jimmy Calderwood, Mark McGhee, Craig Brown and Derek McInnes have all relied on Andy and there is no great mystery in what they’ve all seen in him. From a media perspective, it is always a pleasure to hear his thoughtful, considered views on matches and other football issues – he always comes across as a really fine loon – and it’s clear that he is similarly professional and impressive as far as his managers are concerned. Good football teams evolve and improve and at times there has been a question mark over his role in Aberdeen’s plans. But this season – the 12th in which he has appeared in the first team – he has moved from centre-half to left-back and looked consistently solid and comfortable. Supporters who had been crying out for a new left-back were gradually quietened as they liked what they saw. Who knows, maybe Graeme Shinnie might have to play in midfield when he arrives in the summer…
Michael Grant, The Times

It seems like only yesterday that I was sitting at Pittodrie on a cold November night in 2002, watching a young lad called Andrew Considine taking an early step forward in what has proved to be a highly successful career as a professional footballer. Scotland’s schoolboys beat Northern Ireland 2-1 in an Under-16 Victory Shield match and those of us there couldn’t fail to be impressed by the gangly young defender from Banchory, clearly relishing his chance to play in a dark blue shirt. It was one of Andrew’s first competitive appearances at the stadium that has become like a second home to him. Older spectators at the game, such as myself, were immediately thinking ‘Is that HIS Loon?’
Charlie Allan, Evening Express

Everything about Andrew Considine fully merits the recognition he is getting tonight. He is the type of player a manager dreams about. He never called off, he has a fantastic attitude and he is a great example for the young players. They can learn so much from observing him. Archie and myself used to say to boys like Peter Pawlett and Ryan Jack, watch what Andrew does off the park. Go and copy what he and Russell do in the gym. I cannot praise him highly enough.
Craig Brown

I think his testimonial year has been his best season ever. For me if you were to name a player of the year now I would vote for Andy. I think he has been the most consistent and best player. Although you would say it has been a real team effort this season, I certainly think he has been our top performer week in, week out. I know that before this season, he would have said he would have wanted to play centre-half rather than full-back, but he has really made that position his own from his performances.
Russell Anderson

I think Andy is an example of what happens when you bring a player through the youth ranks. They are often taken for granted and do not get the credit they deserve nor the recognition of how good they are. It just seems to be synonymous with football but Andy has been one of the top performers for years at this club and tonight is recognition of that.
Mark Reynolds

Andy is an unbelievable professional. Throughout my career, he is the best guy I have seen in the gym by a country mile. His attitude towards his training was incredible. When I was at Pittodrie, Andy was a young player coming through but he very quickly established himself as an important part of the side.
Lee Miller

It is only now, since I have retired, that I fully appreciate what Andy was doing. I have a massive appreciation for what he was doing at such a young age to improve his physique and fitness.
Steve Lovell

Plus lots more special features. RedMatchday Issue 20 is available from the programme sellers in and around the ground. It will be on sale from the AFC Club Shop and you can also buy a copy online by clicking here