Aberdeen FC

Never-seen-before pictures: Aberdeen fans travelled by land, sea and air to Gothenburg in 1983

Are you among the Aberdeen fans in our picture gallery - some never seen before - of the Red Army's mass exodus to Sweden in 1983?

Dennis Esson of Newmachar was confident of victory before heading to Sweden. Image: DC Thomson.

By Graeme Strachan

May 5 2023, 6:00 am

May 5 2023, 6:00 am

Aberdeen fans travelled by land, sea and air to Gothenburg for the European Cup Winners’ Cup final in 1983.

A corner of Sweden’s second city will forever be painted Dons red.

These pictures from our archive chart the mass exodus of Aberdeen fans from the Granite City to Gothenburg.

Our images include some of the 500 fans who boarded the St Clair at the harbour for the 27-hour trip.

It was a bit like the Titanic as the 500-strong Red armada waved to the crowd as they set sail.

However, the only sinking that was taking place that week was the gallons of ale that had been brought on board.

Some of these images have never been seen before.

Did you see the Gothenburg Greats in person, and can you spot yourself among the Aberdeen fans in our gallery of pictures?

Join us as we take a trip back to 1983 and all that!

Car Share

Brothers Neil and Ross Donald, along with friends Neil Cotton, and Lynn Murray, Aberdeen – decked out an old “banger” in Aberdeen FC colours and drove to Gothenburg via the ferry port of Harwich. Image: DC Thomson.

Ship Inn boys

The boys from the Broch fly the colours before heading to Gothenburg – were you there? Image: DC Thomson.

Hat’s off to the Dons

Packing her bag and not forgetting her Evening Express hat is Aileen Mackintosh. Image: DC Thomson.

Trouble and strife

Peter Cree, a Dons fan for 35 years, and his wife were hoping for a dream victory. Image: DC Thomson.

Ship-shape and ready to go

Just some of the Aberdeen FC supporters who were about to board the St Clair. Image: DC Thomson.

Pack your sea legs

The fans had the party to end all parties on the St Clair in 1983. Image: DC Thomson.

Fergie sends the fans off

Alex Ferguson has always been a man of the people – he gave the St Clair fans a send-off. Image: DC Thomson.

The Wizard of Oz

Australian Blue Rapley, now a keen Dons fan, was given a rousing send off. Image: DC Thomson.

Flight of fancy

Full of cheer at the airport were these supporters before the flight left. Image: DC Thomson.

Field trip to remember

Supporters from a north-east farming community trip before their flight. Image: DC Thomson.

Thumbs up for the Dons

Inverness and Elgin supporters of the Dons before setting off from Inverness. Image: DC Thomson.

Lager lovelies

The early-morning breakfast of lager before the game for these fans. Image: DC Thomson.

Out for the count

The early morning breakfast proved too much for some, however. Image: DC Thomson.

Celebrating in Aberdeen

Scarves up for these young fans who hit the fast-filling streets of Aberdeen only minutes after the final whistle in Gothenburg to add their voices to the celebrations. Image: DC Thomson.

Home celebrations

Dancing down Union Street were this crowd of Dons’ supporters. Image: DC Thomson.

Victory parade

Union Street…and first floor office workers applaud the Dons when they returned. Image: DC Thomson.

Read all about it!

A special helicopter delivery to the returning St Clair of beer – and copies of the P&J – ensured the returning fans were well watered and kept up to date with the match report and victory parade. Image: DC Thomson.

Returning heroes

Alex Ferguson personally thanked all the fans who went on the St Clair. Image: DC Thomson.

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