Aberdeen FC

In pictures: The best images as Willie Miller and rest of Gothenburg Greats made Freemen of Aberdeen

An emotion-packed Pittodrie ceremony saw the European Cup Winners' Cup-winning squad honoured, belated medals awarded for the success, and much more.

Legendary Aberdeen captain Willie Miller wearing the Reds-themed hat he had to "Don" for Friday's Freedom of the City event. Image: Wullie Marr/DC Thomson

By Ryan Cryle

May 12 2023, 4:59 pm

May 12 2023, 4:59 pm

There were uplifting scenes at Pittodrie on Friday as Aberdeen’s 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup heroes were honoured – and our photographer captured the emotional ceremony from start to finish.

The Gothenburg Greats – who beat Spanish giants Real Madrid to claim Continental glory 40 years ago – were awarded the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen, while the same award was bestowed upon Aberdeen FC as a whole in celebration of the club’s 120th year.

In addition to these honours, the event also saw six additional ’83 European Cup Winners’ Cup medals handed out to mark the contribution of individuals who did not receive such recognition at the time, while a special medal was also awarded to Aberdeen by European governing body, Uefa, to mark the place of the Gothenburg success in the pantheon of football history.

Here’s how the ceremony unfolded – with all pictures taken by our photographer Wullie Marr.

Dons fans greet the Greats

Alex McLeish signing autographs for fans outside the Gothenburg Greats event at Pittodrie on Friday.

This fan was either taking a picture with legendary Aberdeen centre-back McLeish… or showing him something on his phone.

Aberdeen’s assistant manager in the club’s golden period, Archie Knox, signs autographs for supporters.

Willie Miller carries the cup out

The European Cup Winners’ Cup – which Aberdeen won when they beat Real Madrid 2-1 (after extra-time) in Sweden on May 11, 1983.

Aberdeen’s iconic skipper Willie Miller emerges from the Pittodrie tunnel with the trophy.

The Dons greatest player Miller – or “God” as he is known by the Red Army – was the last player to walk to the stage, which was set up in front of a packed Richard Donald Stand.

A seat reserved for departed team-mate Neale Cooper

Some of the Gothenburg Greats in their seats – back, left to right, Mark McGhee, Gordon Strachan, Stuart Kennedy, John McMaster and Bryan Gunn. Front, left to right, the seat reserved for the late Neale Cooper, Dougie Bell, Alex McLeish and Willie Miller.

The man whose goal beat Real Madrid, John Hewitt, left, and Neil Simpson are interviewed on stage about the 1982/83 European campaign.

The scorer of the opening goal in Gothenburg, Eric Black, left, and Archie Knox were next to chat to host Rob McLean.

Belated medals to recognise six huge contributions to Gothenburg glory

Dougie Bell, centre, receives his belated European Cup Winners’ Cup medal from the AFC Heritage Trust’s Chris Gavin, left, and Uefa delegate (and ex-Aberdeen chief executive) Duncan Fraser. Assistant Archie Knox also collected medals for himself and legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson – who was unable to travel to the north-east for Friday’s event.

Teddy Scott’s grandson receives a belated European Cup Winners’ Cup medal for his late grandfather – who served Aberdeen in a variety of roles for half a century – from the AFC Heritage Trust’s Chris Gavin, left, and Uefa delegate (and ex-Aberdeen chief executive) Duncan Fraser.

Keith Anderson, centre, receives a belated European Cup Winners’ Cup medal on behalf of his late vice-chairman father Chris from the AFC Heritage Trust’s Chris Gavin, left, and Uefa delegate (and ex-Aberdeen chief executive) Duncan Fraser.

Ian Donald collects the Donald family’s belated European Cup Winners’ Cup medal from the AFC Heritage Trust’s Chris Gavin, left, and Uefa delegate (and ex-Aberdeen chief executive) Duncan Fraser. Ian was a director at the club during the early 1980s, while his late father Dick was the long-time chairman of the Dons.

Fans in attendance at the Gothenburg Greats event.

MSP Liam Kerr watches on at Pittodrie.

A special Uefa award for the club

Aberdeen FC receive a special medal from Uefa. Pictured, left to right, are the AFC Heritage Trust’s Chris Gavin, former Reds chairman Stewart Milne, Uefa delegate (and ex-Aberdeen chief executive) Duncan Fraser and current Dons chairman Dave Cormack.

Aberdeen director (and former player/assistant manager) Willie Garner, left, with fellow board members Tom Crotty – a US-based investor in the Dons – and Stewart Milne.

Applause from those assembled in the Richard Donald Stand.

Former Aberdeen Lord Provost Margaret Farqhuhar was at the event.

Cormack accepts Freedom of the City on behalf of Aberdeen FC

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack accepts the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen on behalf of the football club.

Lord Provost David Cameron and Dave Cormack.

Gothenburg heroes made Freemen

Then it was the turn of the Gothenburg Greats to be made Freemen – with Archie Knox up first.

John Hewitt, who headed a 112th-minute winner to seal the European Cup Winners’ Cup for Aberdeen, with his Freedom of the City award.

Gordon Strachan.

Alex McLeish.

Like Dave Cormack when he accepted the Freedom of the City on behalf of the club, Gothenburg skipper Willie Miller had to put on a red-and-white hat when accepting his award.

Miller gives a message of thanks – on behalf of the whole European Cup Winners’ Cup-winning squad – to all those in attendance.

The family of Neale Cooper with his posthumous award. Cooper passed away aged 54 in 2018.

A final round of applause for Aberdeen’s greatest-ever team.

Current first-team manager Barry Robson, and his assistant Steve Agnew, were at Friday’s ceremony ahead of Saturday’s Premiership meeting with Hibs at Pittodrie – where the Gothenburg Greats and the 40th anniversary of their European triumph will again be recognised.

The Gothenburg Greats with the European Cup Winners’ Cup at the end of Friday’s event.

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