Aberdeen FC will join together with the rest of the country this weekend to mark Remembrance Sunday and RedMatchday has produced a special publication to commemorate 100 years since the beginning of the First World War.
We remember all those brave souls who gave so much 100 years ago, we reflect on a war that changed the world forever as well as remembering our own who never returned: Between 1914 and 1918 the Club saw a total of thirty three players and members of staff leaving Pittodrie to serve in many areas of War service. Of these, eight made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. There were other former players also lost their lives during the conflict and undoubtedly there were many associated with Pittodrie who suffered in different degrees as a result of the trials of warfare. Research into this continues but they include one-time Captain, Alex Halkett and reserve players Andrew Hamilton and Allan Lawrie. Incredibly, despite the horror that was taking place on the battlefields, football carried on. We tell the story of football and the Great War: In Aberdeen and at Pittodrie the normal preparations were made in time for the new 1914.15 season. By the beginning of August Germany had mobilised armed forces and had declared war on Russia. Two weeks later Aberdeen opened their season with a 3-1 win against Dundee at Dens Park after Britain had declared war on Germany. Football’s decision to continue playing after the outbreak of war was a source of controversy and for many a morality issue. The debate said a lot about football’s place in society back then; in England the League started in September by which time Aberdeen had played their first three matches. As British troops were retreating at Mons, football continued despite claims from politicians for players with “strength of limb” to serve and march to the battlefield. In Scotland the War Office and the Scottish league agreed that league football would continue ‘for as long as possible’ with the Scottish Cup suspended. At Pittodrie the effects of the war were soon to become clear. Within weeks defenders Bobby Hannah and Alex Wright were called up to the Forces. There was also a dramatic fall in attendances which had a huge impact on the clubs finances. With more young men being sent to join the war effort, the claims “that it would be all over by Christmas” were quickly dismissed. The playing staff at Pittodrie was decimated but they still managed to complete season 1914.15 without too much difficulty. By 1915 the club continued to struggle on and when a lowly 1,500 turned up for the game against Ayr United in September 1915 it became clear how difficult the situation had become. The club had also saw no less than 14 registered players either enlist or be conscripted to the war effort. However the club continued and once again finished their season in a credible 11th place. However the folly of continuing playing was all too clear in the coming months. Travelling to fulfil fixtures was becoming difficult. With little or no money coming through the gate, the club were effectively surviving day to day. In 1916 the club did consider pulling out of the league. The problem that the Aberdeen officials faced was the prospect of being isolated from league football when the war was finally over and football would return to normal. It was well known inside the game that a club from the west of Scotland was ready to step in and take Aberdeen’s place. The club had no intention of quitting and their resolve would be unbroken. Season 1916.17 ended with Aberdeen finishing bottom of the table. To highlight some of the problems faced when Aberdeen travelled to face Kilmarnock on 27th January 1917, they missed their train connection to Ayrshire arriving at Rugby Park some 25 minutes late. Having changed on the train they went on to play and were beaten 7-0; a then club record defeat. A week later Aberdeen beat league leaders Rangers 3-1 at Pittodrie. With only seven wins all season Aberdeen finished two points behind Raith at the foot of the table. The sad state of affairs were compounded in their final league game of the season to face Morton at Cappielow as Aberdeen could only raise ten players. Their hosts ‘loaned’ them one of their reserve players so Aberdeen could take the field with a full team. Meanwhile in the Great War Britain introduced Conscription as pressure on resources intensified. The Battle of Verdun began and the gruesome conflict would last for ten months with more than a million casualties. In 1916 the Women’s Army Auxiliary was founded. The war came closer to home when a Zeppelin raided Edinburgh with 13 deaths and 24 wounded. The Allied Forces were forced to surrender to Turkish forces at Kut after 143 days with around 9,000 British and Indian troops captured. Finally a turning point came in May 1916 when the German fleet was irreparably damaged in the Battle of Jutland. At Pittodrie the situation had become desperate. Plus other stories and tributes.
How to Buy
RedMatchday 12 costs £3 and is available from the programme sellers in and around the ground. It is on sale now from the AFC Club Shop and you can also buy a copy online by clicking here
