Champions!

Aberdeen have this afternoon won the SPFL Development League. 

Celtic this after drew 0-0 with Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium. It means the young Celts, the Dons closest challengers, are now ten points behind Aberdeen with the Glasgow side having only three games left to play and a potential nine points to win. Hamilton Accies, who also pushed the Dons all the way this season in what a very competitive league, are also now too far back.

It is a fantastic achievement for coach Paul Sheerin, in his first season in charge of the Aberdeen U20 side. This is the first time Aberdeen have won a reserve league since 1986-87. They also won the U18 League in 1998–99.

The young Dons have two games remaining against Dunfermline and Hibernian. The match against the Pars will take place this Tuesday at Pittodrie with a 7.00pm KO. Entry is FREE so please come along to see the young Champions!

Paul Sheerin Reaction |

“I am absolutely delighted to have clinched the league with a couple of games to spare.

“I am delighted for everyone involved, particularly for Scott Anderson who has been a massive help on and off the field in my first season back at the club.

“Also of course I am delighted for the players. Their attitude has been fantastic throughout the season and winning the league is just reward.

“Winning trophies at this level is not the main priority, it is all about developing players, something that this club has always done and will continue to do. But success is nice when you get it and it is recognition for the hard work the players have put in.”

We will have an interview with Paul on RedTV tomorrow.

Cammy Smith Reaction |

“It is something we can look back on with a lot of pride. It is a proud achievement for all the young players at the club. It is a very good achievement for us.

“The Development League is about progressing the careers of young players but you want to win it.

“To have won our first title together is brilliant.

“Everyone in the squad has played their part at some point during the campaign. Up until Christmas we fielded a lot of young sides without any experiences players. We were playing a lot of exciting football and winning games 5-4, 4-3, 3-2; there was all sorts!

“It was good and enjoyable playing in those games but we were leaking too many goals. We managed to sort that out and we became a hard team to beat as the season progressed. We realised you had to do the work off the ball and then the good play would come after that. We have gone from strength to strength and really kicked on.

“Every time I have played for the U20s I have enjoyed it. The work rate from all the players has been brilliant.

“The boys have also shown a lot of character during the campaign.

“There has been a winning mentality throughout the team that has pushed us on to win games. Games that we have been up against it, we have managed to grind out results. At the time you don’t appreciate it but looking back now you realise how important some of those wins have been.

“The Partick Thistle game recently was a one that stands out. I was away with the Scotland U21s along with Lawrence. There were other boys away on international duty at various levels, boys injured or out on loan. It was a young team playing against Partick who are a good side but we managed to dig in and get a win. Some of the younger boys, particularly at the start of the season, really did their bit and they can be proud of what they have done. They have more than played their part.

“Hopefully we will get a good crowd on Tuesday. I know a lot of my friends are coming down.”

RedTV | reaction from Marcus Campanile please click here
RedTV | reaction from Scott Anderson please click here