We are delighted to announce that the 2018 edition of the AFC Hall of Fame will take place on Thursday 1^st November with some more Dons legends set to take their rightful place in the Hall of Fame.

The event, sponsored by Aberdeen Taxis, will take place in the Marcliffe Hotel and is sure to once again be a memorable occasion for AFC supporters, sponsors and partners alike.

Established in 2004, the AFC Hall of Fame recognises players and managers who have reached the pinnacle of their profession, making a significant contribution to the reputation of this historic club.

Four more AFC greats will be inducted this time round and it gives us great pleasure to announce the first of this year’s inductees, Eoin Jess.

Born in the north-east fishing village of Portsoy, Eoin began his career at Rangers, but upon being released by the Ibrox club, he joined Aberdeen after being spotted by the legendary George Adams. He played his part in the successful youth side alongside Scott Booth, with Jess making the jump up to the first team first. Jess made his Dons debut in a goalless draw with Motherwell at the tail end of the 1988/89 campaign and the Pittodrie faithful had been introduced to a player with incredible potential. When the new campaign got underway Jess was able to establish himself in Alex Smith and Jocky Scott’s team as they aimed to bring the first piece of silverware in the post-Fergie era. The first opportunity came in the Skol Cup Final at Hampden against Rangers, the last in a trilogy of epic meetings between the great rivals. Jess, then a raw 18-year-old making only his eighth appearance for the team ran the show as Paul Mason’s double ensured the trophy would be returning to Pittodrie for the first time in four years. The team would go on to win the cup double that year and although Jess wasn’t involved in the latter stages of the Scottish Cup run, he had already shown his potential was genuine and was only looking up.

Jess and Dutchman Hans Gillhaus formed a potent partnership during the 1990/91 season. Jess was on fire and despite not being a traditional number nine, the attacking midfielder had an eye for goal, contributing thirteen league goals as The Dons went hunting for the League Championship. Ultimately it ended in disappointment for the reds as they went down on the final day at Ibrox, but Jess reaped the rewards for a phenomenal season as he collected the PFA Young Player of The Season award.

That season had included a hat-trick at Tannadice and a remarkable four goals against Dunfermline at East End Park. Injuries would play their part in his early career, but that didn’t stop a second Young Player of The Year award coming his way, one of only four to achieve this feet.

Unfortunately, the winners medals never came for The Dons and a runners up treble to the all-conquering Rangers proved difficult to get over for the team. The 1994/95 season saw The Dons slip to the bottom of the table and the threat of relegation was a very real possibility. Jess was restricted to only fifteen appearances but was still able to play his part as The Dons survived after a dramatic end to the season.

Jess often saved his best for clashes with Rangers and his displays often resulted in the Ibrox club’s pursuit of the player they once deemed “not up to standard”, but the offers were rebuffed. He scored in the 2-0 victory in 1991 that proved to be the last Dons win in Govan for 26 years. Jess also scored one of the great Aberdeen goals at Ibrox when he picked the ball up on the halfway line and drove at the Rangers midfield before unleashing a rocket from 25 yards into the top corner sending the Red Army into raptures. Jess was able to help bring silverware to Pittodrie once again and proved key to the League Cup success in 1995. A legendary performance in the semi-final against Rangers included the unforgettable “keepie-uppies” on the touchline. It was an instinctive move and personified the class the man had brought to Pittodrie over the years.

It was only a matter of time before Jess moved on from Pittodrie and with the bosman rule making it difficult for clubs to control what happened to the prized assets, Jess was on the radar of a number of clubs. Parma and Sampdoria in Italy were heavily linked, but Jess made sure Aberdeen were to be rewarded. A record fee was received from Coventary City in the English Premiership and Jess moved down south in 1996.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for Jess in England and after a one season came back home when Roy Aitken signed the midfielder for a reported £700,000. Jess was desperately needed as the team continued to struggle and he virtually carried the team for the best part of three seasons with some more memorable goals along the way.

With the club facing financial problems, Jess left Pittodrie for the last time in 2001 after falling out of Ebbe Skovdahl’s plans and joined Bradford City in their fight to beat the drop in the Premiership. Jess could not save the Yorkshire club, but was able to show glipses of the class he still possessed by finishing top scorer in the First Division the following season. Jess would retire at Northampton Town at the age of 36 and coached at Nottingham Forrest and Peterborough United.

Jess earned thirteen Scotland caps and represented his country at Euro 96. It would have been many more had it not been for injuries.

Talented, capable of doing things with a football that very few could, Aberdeen Football Club is delighted to induct Eoin Jess into the AFC Hall of Fame, class of 2018.

Over the next few weeks we will be revealing the identity of the players who will be inducted alongside Eoin Jess at this year’s event.

Tickets for this prestigious event are now available priced at £99+ VAT and include a 3-course meal, Hall of Fame presentation and Q&A with the inductees.

To book your place now please call our Commercial team on 01224 650434 or e-mail commercial@afc.co.uk