Aberdeen V Dundee

the post war years

RedWeb History | Aberdeen v Dundee | The Post War Years

By Kevin Stirling

There was a time when Dundee could attract a top Aberdeen player to Dens Park in what was seen at the time as progression. The transfer of Aberdeen wonder boy Charlie Cooke in 1965 was perhaps a hammer blow for the Dons but back then Dundee were a top side. Aberdeen had slumped to mid table mediocrity while the Dens Park side were league champions in 1962 and had also reached the semi final of the European Cup a year later. While Aberdeen still looked upon the advantage of being a one-club city, they had reached a low point in their history with a succession of cup failures and struggling to make an impact in the league. Dundee for their part dominated the support on Tayside with neighbours United far removed from the status they now hold in Dundee.

The fact that the Dens Park club were the prominent side in Dundee, it was often reflected in some of the classic matches between the Dons and Dundee in what was always the traditional North east derby fixture. The traditional New Year clashes began in 1952 and continued through until Dundee were relegated from the first Premier League in 1975. That first meeting at Dens Park on 1st January 1952 resulted in a 3-2 win for the Dark Blues as an injury hit Aberdeen held out for long periods but eventually went down to a strong Dundee side. A year later a much-anticipated visit from Dundee saw tempers flare as Aberdeen controversially clawed back a two-goal deficit. The reports of ‘over-robust tackling’ were spot on as a bruising encounter saw Aberdeen fall behind to a Bobby Flavell brace. Ian Rodger pulled one back for the Dons in 64 minutes before Harry Yorston’s equaliser in 74 minutes produced a raised flag by the linesman which was ignored by refereeJackson much to the disgust of the visitors.

In 1954 when the teams met, it was unusually a top of the table clash at Dens Park. The game went in favour of Dundee after an injury to Jackie Allister. Eventually the Dons went down to the sublime skills of Billy Steel who went on to enjoy success in England despite an Aberdeen record bid to take the Scottish international to Pittodrie. When Aberdeen won the championship in 1955 they recorded an impressive double over Dundee. At Dens Park in September 1954 goals from Archie Glen and Joe O’Neil gave Aberdeen a deserved win. Later that season a Bob Wishart goal was enough to give Aberdeen victory as they remained clear at the top of the league. In 1955.56 the Dons did the double again over Dundee with a 2-0 win at Pittodrie followed by an impressive 4-2 win at Dens in the New Year. Aberdeen were in free scoring form back then as they racked up an incredible 24 goals from four league matches over the New Year period.

In 1958 despite Aberdeen falling from grace in the league, they won both matches against the Dark Blues. Norman Davidson scored twice in a 3-0 at Pittodrie while two late goals in the Dens Park return gave the Dons a 2-1 victory on 1st January 1958.

In season 1960.61 the Dons held Dundee at Dens in a thrilling 3-3 draw. Although Alan Gilzean hit a hat trick for Dundee, a late Billy Little goal gave Aberdeen a point. In the return at Pittodrie the Dons won 2-1 in what was a significant result. Aberdeen under Tom Pearson were a young side and were surprising league title contenders. Pittodrie’s highest attendance of the season saw George Mulhall score the winner for the Dons. After the match Aberdeen stalwart Bob Wishart was transferred to Dundee. It was all change as Dundee had evolved into a side of great stature and Bob Wishart went to win a title medal with the Dens Park side. While Aberdeen beat Dundee in their championship season with a 3-1 win at Pittodrie in September, it was soon to change as by the time Aberdeen returned for the winter game at Dens, Dundee were runaway league leaders and edged Aberdeen out in a 2-1 win.

In September 1962 Dundee hammered Cologne 8-1 in the European Cup in what was regarded as the finest side ever to grace Dens Park. However three days later they could not get the better of visitors Aberdeen whose Charlie Cooke scored an exquisite lob as reports suggested his goal was ‘one in a million’. In the return at Pittodrie, Bob Wishart was on his old stamping ground in the dark blue of Dundee but he could not prevent Aberdeen going on to win through an Ernie Winchester goal.

Charlie Cooke was included in the Dundee side that were held by Aberdeen in a 1-1 draw in January 1965, much to the dismay of the dwindling Aberdeen support in the poor 8,000 New Year crowd. It was not until the arrival of Eddie Turnbull at Pittodrie that saw the Dons resurgence and that was reflected in games against their old rivals. In January 1967 Aberdeen hit Dundee in a 5-2 win that heralded the Dons as a side of real quality, as they held on to second place behind leaders Celtic with European football now on the horizon for the Dons for the first time.

Tonight’s meeting with Dundee will be the 100

league clash at Pittodrie.

Aberdeen will be going for a third win in succession against Dundee this season. The Dons 2-0 win at Pittodrie earlier in the season was their first in the league since 1994. Although the Dens Park side have been frequently outside of the top flight since then, the Dons record on Tayside remains superior with eleven wins from 20 matches.

During the early days of the Premier League it was fortress Pittodrie for Aberdeen. The only defeat against Dundee came in the first season of the new league and Aberdeen went on to remain undefeated in 25 matches at Pittodrie.

Aberdeen v Dundee~Complete League Record

SPL 1999-2013