3,132
Saturday
19/05/1984
1983-84

Scottish Cup Final

Celtic 1 v 2 Aberdeen
Attendance: 58,900

A RECORD THIRD CONSECUTIVE SCOTTISH CUP WIN FOR THE DONS

The organisers couldn’t have asked for more as the two giants of Scottish football faced up to each other in this final. The Dons were looking to become the first team from outside Glasgow to win three consecutive finals while Celtic were looking to win their only silverware of the season. With the league title and the European Super Cup already in the trophy cabinet, Aberdeen started as favourites and went ahead after 24 minutes. As the Celtic defence stood looking for an offside flag, Eric Black volleyed the ball into the net. Celtic then lost captain Roy Aitken six minutes before the interval when he was sent off for a challenge on McGhee. It was the first cup final dismissal since 1929. To their credit, Celtic soaked up the Dons pressure and went on to be the better side in the second half. With five minutes remaining Paul McStay levelled to stun the reds. However Aberdeen proved too strong for ten-men Celtic and eight minutes into extra time, Mark McGhee fired home the winner and the cup was coming back home.

Aberdeen Team: J. Leighton, S. McKimmie, D. Rougvie, N. Cooper, A. McLeish, W. Miller, G. Strachan, N. Simpson, M. McGhee, E. Black, P. Weir.

Aberdeen Subs: B. Stark, D. Bell,

Goal Scorers: E.Black M.McGhee

Manager: Ferguson, Alex

Referee: Valentine, R.B.

VALENTINES DAY

Celtic were outspoken in their after-match analysis. The Glasgow side were unhappy with the dismissal of captain Roy Aitken and felt that a caution would have been sufficient punishment. Manager Davie Hay took the protests further when he accused Ernie Walker, the SFA secretary, of placing undue pressure on referee Bob Valentine by instructing him before kick-off to tell both teams to play in such a sporting manner as to make the final a showpiece. The Celtic board then made an official complaint about the referee.

BOTH SIDES LOSE OUT OVER DISCIPLINE

Both teams lost out on their “Good Conduct” bonuses with Celtic earning only half of the proposed £7,500. With a booking costing £750 and a sending off costing £1,500, Celtic lost a total of £3,750. Aberdeen, who had McKimmie, Strachan and Black booked, lost £2,250 of their bonus money.

ENGLISH TEAMS FOLLOW DONS SUCCESS

English clubs followed on from the Dons success of last season by winning in Europe. Spurs defeated Anderlecht to lift the UEFA Cup and a week later Liverpool defeated Roma to win the European Cup. Both trophies were decided on penalty kicks and some would argue justice was done after what happened the round before.

At the semi-final stage there had been six British sides involved. Dundee United were controversially beaten by Roma in the European Cup and Nottingham Forest by Anderlecht in the UEFA Cup. In both ties it was later alleged that there had been attempts made to bribe officials. Similarly, there were accusations made against Porto who knocked out the Cup Winners Cup holders Aberdeen – the story was never proved. The Portuguese side lost to Juventus in the Cup Winners Cup Final after the Italians had knocked out Manchester United in the last four.
Meanwhile Northern Ireland won only their third Home International title – the last ever.

TWO WELL LOVED MEN FROM THE ARTS DIE

Sir John Betjeman, regarded as Britain’s most popular poet, died today at his Cornish home aged 78. He had been incapacitated by a stroke for several years. Just over a week later, Britain lost its best-loved comedian when Eric Morecambe died from a heart attack. The 58-year-old collapsed shortly after participating in a charity show in Tewkesbury. He collapsed in the Wings and never regained consciousness.

MARLEY THE LEGEND

The late Bob Marley topped the album chart this week for the first time with his compilation album, Legend. The Jamaican, who died in 1981, was also enjoying posthumous success in the singles chart where he sat in fifth spot with the medley, One Love – People Get Ready. Today also marked the end of Irish act, The Bachelors. The trio had enjoyed eight UK top ten hits in the 1960’s, but today they decided to retire from the industry.

Number 1 Single
The Reflex
Duran Duran

Movie Releases
Firestarter
Drew Barrymore

Number 1 Album
Legend
Bob Marley And The Wailers