Eighteen years, to the day. Almost, in fact, to the minute.
The period between the callow Andrew Considine running out of the Pittodrie tunnel to warm up for his first Aberdeen appearance, and the elder Andy emotionally trudging back down it at the end of his last.
It is the longest uninterrupted senior career in Dons history; end-to-end, second only to Willie Cooper in terms of service to Aberdeen’s first team and nobody else’s.
It is one which should not be soon forgotten.
Cooper, in fact, is a decent reference point for Considine’s contribution to the club.
Though hundreds of matches generated recognised reward only in the form of a single League Cup and a couple of selections in a scratch side representing the Scottish League, the value of Cooper’s consistent presence in his hometown side was well known inside Aberdeen.
So it is with Considine. If you do not support the Dons but have an opinion on Andy, then I couldn’t care less about it other than to say that you are almost certainly wrong.
He has been an exceptional servant to this club, going the extra mile to make himself into what Aberdeen needed in each phase of his career.
His transformation – in his late twenties – from stiff centre-half into buccaneering left-back remains one of the most remarkable feats of understated willpower and uncomplaining dedication witnessed in this stadium.
It is a real and tangible sadness to know that Andy Considine will never again wear the colours of the club he has served, man and boy, with such distinction, valour and quiet dignity.
🔴 One final lap of Pittodrie for Andy Considine.#StandFree | @AndyConsie4 pic.twitter.com/DFFiKVHyTR
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) May 15, 2022
He leaves while his qualities will still be missed on the pitch, but their absence will also be notably absent in many other ways around Pittodrie.
Thanks for everything, Andy. Not many are made like you.