It was the dawn of a new era when Jimmy Calderwood arrived at Aberdeen in the summer of 2004.
Steve Paterson paid the price for a poor campaign and was ushered out of Pittodrie after an 11th place finish in the SPL.
Paterson and his backroom staff’s departure marked a changing of the guard internally at the Dons with former player and manager Willie Miller brought back to the club by chairman Stewart Milne as an executive football consultant.
His first task in his new role was to find Paterson’s successor and it was Dunfermline boss Jimmy Calderwood who was identified and installed in the Dons dugout.
Four strikers were moved on with Leigh Hinds, Bryan Prunty, David Zdrilic and Scott Booth joining Paul Sheerin and Kevin Rutkiewicz in leaving the club.
The striking reinforcements were led by Noel Whelan, Fernando Pasquinelli and Markus Paatelainen while two players who had been signed on pre-contracts by Paterson – Motherwell duo Derek Adams and Steven Craig – also joined.
Whelan a high profile arrival
The arrival of Whelan in particular, was one signing Calderwood was grateful to the Dons board for.
He said: “It is magnificent that Noel was willing to take a pay cut to come to Aberdeen.
“Noel has been used to getting a lot higher wages than he is on now.
“But I get the impression that he is at an age when he just wants to enjoy his football.
“He has been in the First Division in England and the Premiership and needs a fresh challenge.
“I was a little surprised to get Noel but the board have been very, very supportive again.
“It also speaks volumes about Aberdeen because the club is still a huge draw.
“The people you speak to in Europe still get excited about the name of Aberdeen Football Club.
“It is great that we still have such a fine reputation but we have got to make sure we deserve it.”
Severin signing was crucial
While the forwards replenished a key area the headline act was Hearts captain Scott Severin, who added some much-needed steel to the Aberdeen midfield.
The new Dons boss said: “There is a lot of potential there. Russell Anderson is fit, Scott Severin has come in, and if guys like Kevin McNaughton can show what they are capable of, we can do well.
“I will talk to the boys and build their confidence. Every manager would like to sign a Roy Keane character and I expect Scott Severin will be a similar influence in the dressing-room.”
Dons built on daunting start to the season
The new-look Dons were put to the test instantly as they started the season against the clubs which finished second, third and fourth in 2003-04.
Calderwood’s first competitive game in was against league runners-up Rangers who were the visitors to Pittodrie.
Aberdeen dug deep to take a point in a goalless draw and followed it with another hard-earned point against Hearts, who had finished third the previous season.
Whelan opened his account for the Dons in the third game against Calderwood’s former club Dunfermline, who had qualified for Europe in the new Aberdeen manager’s final campaign at East End Park.
All things considered it was an impressive start for the Dons and they would maintain the momentum for the campaign, narrowly missing out on Europe by virtue of an inferior goal difference to Hibernian.
But, having been second bottom when he arrived Calderwood had every right to be pleased with the progress made after leading his team to fourth.
Fourth place – but Calderwood wanted more
However, the Aberdeen manager was keen to build on his first campaign in charge and made it clear being a top half team was not the height of his ambitions.
Calderwood said: “The season was a real rollercoaster at times, but we ended up doing a lot better than I expected.
“I can promise the fans the next one will be even more enjoyable.
“I want the next ovation we get from them to be for something meaningful. That means giving the fans a better side to watch and I’m in the process of doing that.
“We will finally be speaking to Lee Miller and are waiting for official responses to the offers for Barry Nicholson and Steve Lovell.
“We are also considering making an increased offer for Kris Boyd and looking at Jamie Smith.
“I have one or two others in the frame as well – I’m always keen to spring the odd surprise.
“But if I get three or four of the players already mentioned in here then I will be a very happy man.
“I’m sure the fans will be happy as well because all of them would bring something extra to the squad.
“There is a feel good factor about Aberdeen now, but we have to build on that.
“If I get the players I want then it will start to get more like the good old days, when Aberdeen won more often than not and were feared.”
Miller, Nicholson, Lovell and Smith would all sign for Calderwood eventually. Boyd was the only who got away.
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