As part of our Stand Free campaign for 2016/17, we spoke at length to Richard Gordon and Willie Miller about Aberdeen Football Club.

BBC Scotland Broadcaster and RedMatchday columnist Richard discusses his life as a Dons fan. He recalls his early visits to Pittodrie at the start of the 1970s, being a supporter during that period, what it was like experiencing the glory days in the 1980s and his relationship with the club nowadays.

“The phrase Stand Free, the main thing is that it is ours. I am not sure exactly what it means but I do know I am an Aberdeen fan and I know if I say Stand Free to any other Dons fan it is a bond between us. So many football songs and phrases are shared amongst clubs. Nobody else uses Stand Free to my knowledge. It is almost like a secret code word for Aberdeen supporters. So many of my friends will now sign off emails, texts with Stand Free. It has become part of being an Aberdeen fan.

“I think there has been a massive change at Pittodrie in recent years. I am now around the club quite a lot. Even on a matchday when you see the club shop and the queue for the ticket office. I am always here early on a game day and there are a lot more people around the stadium, for example the number of people standing outside the car park waiting to get autographs. That used to be me!

“Some of the football we have played in the last couple of season has been great. It has been brilliant just sitting back and enjoying watching the team again.”
 

There is also a special interview with the greatest ever Don Willie Miller. Willie talks about his career at Pittodrie which included captaining Aberdeen during the most successful period in the club’s history. He talks openly about what AFC means to him.

“First and foremost, Aberdeen Football Club gave me the opportunity and that was what I was looking for as a young 16-year-old. I wanted to try and come up and make a new life for myself away from the East End of Glasgow. Aberdeen gave me that opportunity, they allowed me to lift a European trophy, pick up a Super Cup Winners medal, win league titles, they gave me the opportunity to play for Scotland, to captain Scotland and play in two World Cups.

“All the football stuff has been absolutely wonderful. It probably took half my playing career to get to the really positive bit where the medals started flowing in.

“It is a wonderful club. It is a great club to be part of and be part of over many years. I have been involved both as a player, manager and a director. It has been a wonderful experience and something I look back on with great pride.”

Both interviews are available to watch now on RedTV | click here