Aberdeen's Andy Considine with wife Madeleine and sons Harry, Teddy and Arthur on his final appearance for Aberdeen in 2022. Image: SNS
Aberdeen supporters will be relieved a dismal campaign is over after today’s 0-0 stalemate with St Mirren – however, the result came secondary to club stalwart Andy Considine’s Pittodrie farewell.
It was serendipitous Considine’s final Dons appearance came 18 years to the day after his first.
Boss Jim Goodwin – who recently took the offer of a one-year contract extension for the veteran off the table – made good on his promise to give the defender a proper chance to say goodbye, pitching Considine in from the start and making him skipper for the day.
Before he was forced off in the second half of the goalless draw with an injury, the 35-year-old was solid, and his departure saw him receive his second standing ovation of the afternoon after both sets of players had lined up for a guard of honour before kick-off.
It was a day which was clearly emotional for 2014 League Cup winner Considine and his family, as well as the Red Army.
Here are the best pictures captured by the photographers at the Premiership clash this afternoon:
Aberdeen’s departing legend Andy Considine gets a picture with a fan ahead of the clash with St Mirren.
Considine runs out with the Dons squad for their warm-up.
Both sets of players gave Considine a guard of honour as the skipper for the day emerged from the Pittodrie tunnel with his three children.
Is there something in my eye? The ground erupted and even the St Mirren fans were on their feet to applaud the big man.
There was, of course, still a game to play – however unimportant it was after a long, disappointing campaign for Aberdeen – and Considine slotted into central defence alongside David Bates.
Aberdeen’s Andy Considine and St Mirren’s Alex Greive in action at Pittodrie.
Considine relays instructions to his Aberdeen team-mates.
And again, using all of his experience to help those around him.
It might have been a dead rubber, and it might have been his final Dons game, but that didn’t mean Considine wasn’t going to protest the team’s case when the officials overturned a penalty they awarded Aberdeen for handball against Scott Tanser.
The Dons players were lining up to hug Considine when he was forced off with an injury in the second half. First it was Lewis Ferguson…
… Then two-times-team-mate Jonny Hayes…
… fellow youth academy graduate (several years apart) Connor Barron…
… and Marley Watkins.
Then the Pittodrie crowd were on their feet once more to bid their long-serving hero farewell.
It was a moment which understandably got to Considine, who had been doing well to keep it together.
After more than 500 games for the club, he took his final steps on the pitch in the red of Aberdeen during a match.
He ends his near-20-year spell fourth in the club’s all-time appearance list.
Considine being greeted by the Aberdeen bench as he came off.
There was a quick pat on the back from Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin.
Before the player took his seat to watch the rest of the game. His last game as an Aberdeen player.
A tearful Considine getting a bit of treatment after coming off.
But he was back on the pitch with son Arthur at full-time for more applause.
How much do we love you Andy?
Considine applauds the fans back as he receives their adulation at the end of the game.
Joe Lewis getting the captain’s armband back from his team-mate, or giving it back to him, or…
All that matters is this – Goodbye Andy Considine. Thanks for the memories, it has been a pleasure!
The best pictures from Aberdeen legend Andy Considine’s Pittodrie farewell
