In this week’s RedMatchday Magazine there is an interview with Anthony O’Connor. The Dons central defender has been in great form this season, arguably our best player so far, was keen to speak about his song…..
“It would be great to contribute to a big season because I really enjoy playing my football here. I’ve even got a song from the crowd now! It just came out of nowhere! Someone sent me a link to it. There were a load of fans singing in the pub. I thought it was quite a catchy song! It was a decent tune.
“I really appreciate it. As the game is going on you don’t really notice these things as you are concentrating on the game but after the match when we have won and the fans are singing your name, there is no better feeling as a footballer. It is very humbling and you want to keep playing well for them. I want to keep repaying the fans and the gaffer.
“When I came in last season, I didn’t really know anybody. You are getting used to a new bunch of lads, coming into a new league and a living in a different city. You have to try and settle in as quickly as you can and I thought I did that last season. You just have to concentrate on your football and then everything else will fall into place.”
As has been well documented, Aberdeen celebrated the 50th anniversary of their first game in Europe – when the Dons faced Icelandic part time side KR Reykjavik in the Cup Winners’ Cup on September 6th 1967. However the excitement of playing in Europe was nothing compared with what happened at the end of that season.
By the middle of April the Dons’ hopes of reaching a European place were slipping away until a number of wins on the bounce set up a dramatic last day of the season at Ibrox. Charlie Allan recently spoke to the Dons hero that day, Ian Taylor.
“A lot of that was down to manager Eddie Turnbull,” he said. “He was a master at man management and went on about how much the champagne corks would be popping in the dressing room next door if Rangers won. He urged us to do all we could to make sure that didn't happen.
“The chance to qualify for Europe was also a huge incentive. We had made our debut in Europe that season and were hungry for more.” Plus this week: Scott Wright, Greg Tansey Q&A, The Manager Derek McInnes, captain Graeme Shinnie, Joe Lewis, a tribute fellow keeper Tubby Ogston, Richard Gordon and a look back at the Autumn of 1981. Plus all the usual features.
There is also a special report on the need for a new training ground. Players and staff past and present give an insight from their experiences; Bobby Clark, Neil Simpson, Mark Reynolds and Willie Miller and Derek McInnes.
RedMatchday Issue 05 is available from sellers in and around the ground. Still available for only £3.00 – offering you our readers great value for money. 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
TAKE A SELFIE AND WIN A SIGNED SHIRT! Want the chance to win one of Anthony O’Connor shirts from this season? Or an Anthony RedMatchday 'cover-star' print? All prizes will of course be signed!
Here is how you can win:
Step 1: Buy a copy of RedMatchday Magazine Step 2: Take selfie with RedMatchday Step 3: Send us your selfie!
You can send us your selfies from the game, before the game, or after the game. In any words at any point over the weekend. Get creative – the more creative the better chance of winning!
If you can please tweet your photos to @AberdeenFC or @dollydigital or @CurtisSport or all three if you prefer.
Winners will be picked and announced on Monday. Good luck!
Winners will be picked and announced on Monday. Good luck!
