THE Aberdeen FC Former Players Association have paid a poignant tribute to the late Neale Cooper.

Gothenburg Great Neale sadly passed away, aged just 54, at the end of May.

The AFCFPA decided to create a lasting tribute to Neale, who was the youngest member of the

Aberdeen side who beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup final.

The Neale Cooper Memorial Trophy – or The Tattie Trophy to give it it’s proper title – will now be awarded to the winning team at their annual golf outing.

Neale had competed in almost every golf tournament since the event was launched in 2003.

The trophy bearing his name was up for grabs for the first time at Craibstone Golf Course, with Tenaris Global Services – a team made up of 1990 Scottish Cup winner Graham Watson, Mike Ritchie, Darren Chilton and Mike Halliday – emerging as the winners.

They received the trophy from Neale’s sister, Shirley Blake.

Former Dons striker and AFCFPA committee member Walker McCall, said: “It was strange having our golf outing without Neale, he was always the life and soul of the whole day.

“He was a good friend to all of us and it hardly needs to be said that we really missed having him about.

“The minute you stepped into a room you knew he was there because all you would hear was laughter as everyone enjoyed his unique way of sharing stories from his time as a player.

“It was an absolute privilege to be in his presence.

“We felt it was only fitting to name the trophy after him to keep his memory alive and underline just how much we loved and admired Neale.

“It was great that Shirley could come along and present the trophy, it made the whole day even more special.”

All funds raised in a raffle were donated to the British Heart Foundation, at the request of Neale’s family.

Walker was also pleased to see so many former players, from various eras, able to come along and compete at Craibstone.

The oldest of those was Bobby Wilson, a member of the Dons team that lifted the Scottish League
Cup in 1955, who is still enjoying regular rounds of golf in his 80s.

Walker said: “The outings had fallen away a little in the last couple of years.

“But the aim is to have them held annually again from here on.

“We also have other events planned, including a a quiz night, and are hoping any other ex-Aberdeen players out there who aren’t members of the Association will accept the invitation to come along.

“When you quit playing football you miss all the camaraderie and banter you used to get in the dressing room and training.

“We hope to recreate that by allowing former teammates to meet regularly to share stories and just have a bit of fun.”

Duncan Davidson had spearheaded the running of the AFCFPA until work commitments forced him to step down.

Walker has been joined on the newly formed committee by Steve Tosh, Andy Dornan, Jim George and Jim Whyte.

They would love to see some of the younger former players becoming involved at that level too.
He said: “it was great to see Graham Watson, Kevin McNaughton and Darren Mackie playing at the latest golf outing.

“It would be wonderful if others from the lower age bracket came along to our events as well.

“They will have contacts we don’t, which would help us expand our membership and ensure the Association stays strong in the years ahead.

“It would also give us more scope to enter the various former player events that are held throughout the country.

“There was a seven-a-side tournament staged down in Glasgow recently.

“Lee Mair and Robbie Winters were among those who played, but it would be good if we had a larger pool of ex-Dons who are still fit enough to take part in events like that.”

Club record goalscorer, Joe Harper, Jocky Scott, Bobby Street, Kevin McNaughton, Darren Mackie, Jimmy Wilson, John Gardiner, Ron Day, Jim George and Mike Metcalf were the other former Dons who competed on the day.

The AFCFPA would like to thank the following for supporting their golf day: Saltire Energy (who donated the Neale Cooper Memorial Trophy), AFC Charitable Trust, Graeme Kennedy Builders, Hall Morrice, Healthy Business Healthy You, Ian McIntosh, Rolands Supplies and Services, Tenaris Global Services, Tetra Technologies and all of the staff at Craibstone Golf Course.

For more details about the Former Players Association please click here

HEROES FROM THE PAST: The former Dons players who attended their golf outing at Craibstone Golf Club.

Back, from left: Bobby Street, Graham Watson, John Gardiner, Jim George, Walker McCall, Ron Day, Mike Metcalf, Darren Mackie, Kevin McNaughton.

Front: Joe Harper, Jocky Scott, Bobby Wilson, Jimmy Wilson.

 

FITTING TRIBUTE: Walker McCall with the Neale Cooper Memorial Trophy, which will now be the prize at the AFC Former Players Association annual golf outing.

 

 

DREAM TEAM: Neale Cooper’s sister, Shirley Blake, presents the trophy to winning team Tenaris Global Services, who are Graham Watson, Mike Halliday, Darren Chilton and Mike Ritchie.