This season's RedMatchday Magazine is packed with even more exclusive and in-depth interviews, even more player features, more behind the scenes photos, even more historical features, even more columnists plus some new features.
In RedMatchday Issue 08 there is an in-depth interview with Anthony O’Connor:
People look at footballers as living the dream. Of course, in many ways, they are, but don’t ever think that just because playing first team football for a club like Aberdeen is a dream, they haven’t had to work really hard, go through many challenges and make huge sacrifices to get there. If you do, Anthony O’Connor can put you right on that score.
…. “When I went to Blackburn as a kid, I thought this is where I really need to step it up now. I need to show that I am as good as any of the young lads here.
…. “I was 14 and I was training with the youth team who were U18 at the time. I thought what better way to show that I can do? I remember training with them and going around and ruffling a few of them! I think you have to do that when you come over. You cannot just look an ok player. You have to stand out and that is what I did when I went to Blackburn. If I had any advice to young lads coming over from Ireland, or any young lads trying to make their way in the game, it’s to believe in yourself and give it everything you have got.
…. “I was only 15 when I moved over to England full time. That was very tough. I remember my dad came over with me for the first few weeks. On day one, I walked in and I was over the moon and went up to my digs where I would be living and unpacked everything and I was chuffed to pieces. Then the day my dad left was when it hit me. I am going to be on my own now and I am going to have to knuckle down.
…. You have to look after yourself and that is what I have been doing over the last eight or nine years since I have been here. That is my life now.
… “I had loan spells at Burton, Plymouth, Torquay, so I have done a lot of travelling but that is me wanting to play football. I would go anywhere to play, that is my mentality. If I am playing football then I am happy. If I am playing there will be a smile on my face. I went to Burton and had a very good year and then went to Torquey and Plymouth and now I am at the other end of the UK! Aberdeen is a massive club so I am very happy to be here.”
There is an interview with Dons keeper Joe Lewis:
“The club have been fantastic with me. My wife and my little boy have moved up now and we are getting properly settled. They are really enjoying living up here. All the boys in the dressing room, as well as all the staff at the club, have been very friendly and have gone out of their way to make me welcome. It makes it a lot easier for a new player to settle in if that is the case. If you ask any of the new lads, they will say they feel like they have been a couple of years already as it is such a tight knit group. Everyone is very welcome which is fantastic and that can only be good for the performances ahead.”
And we also speak to Mark Reynolds:
“The season is always going to be up and down and you are going to hit bad patches but for us we have always found more good form than bad and have managed to find those purple patches when we go 10 or 11 games unbeaten with eight or nine wins. In the dressing room we have discussed that and we know the levels we have to reach to do it. I would like to think it is easier to do that when you have been there before and run the race, when you know how hard it is and you know what you need to do to get to that next level. We need to push more.”
Plus an interview with Jayden Stockley and U20 players Daniel Harvie and Sam Roscoe. There are the usual columns from manager Derek McInnes, skipper Ryan Jack who gives an update on his recovery from injury and James Maddison does the Players Q&A.
In the Pittodrie People feature, this week we interview Adam Stokes. Over the summer Adam joined Aberdeen FC to become the Club's Head of Medical & Sports Science:
“The relationship between the players and the medical side of things is very important. You have to get their trust. Once you start working with the boys who pick up little niggles, then you start to build a relationship with them. The job is all about working with them. You have to listen to what they are telling you.
“Every player is different and has to be treated as an individual. Some think they have a better grasp of anatomy and physiotherapy issues better than you, but there are a few big words you can use to put them in their place!”
Finally, one of the new features introduced this season is a fans Q&A. This gives our readers the chance to be in this season's magazine. We are still looking for some more supporters to get involved. if you would like to feature please email the programme editor Malcolm at: [email protected]
84 pages and still only £3.00 – offering you our readers great value for money.
RedMatchday Issue 08 is available from sellers in and around the ground. There will be copies available to buy in the club shop plus you can buy all the AFC programmes online here: www.curtis-sport.com
RedMatchday Issue 08 is available from sellers in and around the ground. There will be copies available to buy in the club shop plus you can buy all the AFC programmes online here: www.curtis-sport.com
