In this week’s red matchday magazine, Dons legend Neil Simpson recalls the now infamous game against St Johnstone around New Year in 1984.
As 1983 came to a close, with Aberdeen leading the league, with the European Cup Winners’ Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the Scottish Cup sitting in the boardroom, there was little to suggest that any side could stop the Aberdeen bandwagon. However, Mother Nature did her best to thwart the Dons when St Johnstone came calling for the traditional New Year fixture in on January 3rd. 1984.
Conditions were bleak from the outset, with a hard surface barely playable at kick off. Aberdeen made light of those conditions and swept into a 3-0 half time lead, including a sensational volley from Eric Black. During the half-time break, a severe blizzard swept across the North-east and the snow quickly covered the Pittodrie pitch.
Worse still, the conditions caused an electric power cut in the Aberdeen area, which forced an immediate abandonment. That was just the start of problems for many fans who were unable to get home that evening. At least the postponement did not prevent Aberdeen from marching on to the league title later that year.
Neil Simpson was in the Aberdeen team that day, but such was the different way the game was played in those days before undersoil heating and the like, he didn’t notice anything unusual about kicking off on an icebound surface.
“The pitch was firm before the game, but back in those days we played on a lot of pitches which might be deemed unplayable nowadays. It was a typical winter’s day! It was very windy but there was no snow or anything when we kicked off.
“My recollection is we probably played the best we had done all season. Some of the football was incredible. Considering the wind and the conditions, we were playing one touch football, putting in great crosses and shots from all angles. Everything was so smooth. Everything you tried was coming off. Everyone was confident. It’s just one of these games where you just felt feel good about yourself and everybody felt the same. It was a magical performance.
“When we came in at half-time, it had just started to snow, very lightly, but nothing to be concerned about. We sat down and Fergie started his team talk – it was one of those rare occasions when we all got a pat on the back! Maybe the first time ever! ‘You’re doing brilliant, more of the same in the second half’ was the message. Then there was a knock at the door and someone said the game was in doubt.
“The referee then appeared and said he would need to go and have an inspection, so we started to edge towards the door to have a look. We could not believe it. It was like a whole day’s snow had come down in 15 minutes. The referee and his linesmen went out, but the game was called off after about five minutes. Back in those days, they would brush the lines to keep to game on, but there was two or three inches of snow.
“There was a power cut as well. When the game was called off, it was just a case of getting a bath and then trying to get home. That was when the fun started! It was carnage outside the stadium. It was terrible conditions, really bad.”
Also in this week’s edition there is an indepth interview with Matty Kennedy and a Q&A with Jonny Hayes. There is also a preview of the Dons League Cup semi-final against Rangers and the Scottish Cup tie against Darvel later in the month. Plus all the usual features – Top Ten, Glory of Gothenburg, Aberdeen FC Archives, The Foundation Dons, Former Players Club, On Sacred Ground, Past Programme, As Time Goes By, Picture This and Memory Match.
Red Matchday Magazine is available to buy from in and around the ground on Saturday from the sellers and also in the AFC Club Shop. You can also buy your copy online and have it delivered direct to your door by clicking here
Red Matchday Magazine is available to buy from in and around the ground on Saturday from the sellers and also in the AFC Club Shop. You can also buy your copy online and have it delivered direct to your door by clicking here
