Aberdeen club captain Russell Anderson may have retired from Football at the weekend, however he has left many fond memories in the hearts and minds of many Dons fans.
He quickly became a dons hero to many, after he showed the same love and commitment for the club as the rest of the home support.
Even during his spell away from the Club, when he moved to Sunderland, many wanted their club captain to stay and even wished his return.
During his years down south, Dons fans watched his progress as an Aberdeen born lad and could not keep their emotions in check when he re-signed for this home team.
He became many fans number one captain and no one was against the decision to make him captain once again when he returned in 2012.
Anderson, 36, born and raised in Aberdeen, started his career at Aberdeen Football Club stepped up through the ranks and made his first team début in 1996 under manager Roy Aitken.
Making more than 300 appearances in his first spell for the Dons in the under and senior levels, he scored 18 goals in league and cup competitions.
Anderson scored his first goal for the club in 2000 in a 4-0 win against Hibernian.
In 2003, Anderson was appointed club captain, a decision that pleased many Dons fans.
The 2005/2006 season seen him achieve the most league man-of-the-match awards from BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound.
He received his Testimonial match against Everton after being at the club for ten years.
Having progressed and developed through the Club system, Anderson made a switch move to Sunderland in a one million pounds transfer in August 2007.
Showing his love and passion for the club, Russell donated his sign-on fee to the Dons Youth Development system, where his career began.
At the time of his switch down south, ex Aberdeen player Willie Miller stated, “Russell Anderson is very deserving of legendary status.
“He has been a fabulous player.”
He went onto have loan spells at Plymouth and signed for Derby County in 2010.
He spent two years at the championship side before making a return to his home club in January 2012.
It was manager Craig Brown who expressed his interest in bringing the fan favourite back to Pittodrie. When the contract was issued to Russell, Craig Brown said, “He would be a stellar signing, if this club gets him.
“The guy is a leader, he is a fan’s favourite and he is everything you would want in a play.”
After spending two months on the sidelines he made his first dons appearance in his second spell on the 31st March 2012.
In the 2013-2014 season it was his dynamic partnership with centre back Mark Reynolds that gave the Dons their first silverware in 19 years.
At the start of the season, Anderson vowed to take the Dons back to where they belong and attain his first silverware with the club.
On March 16, 2014, Anderson became the sixth Dandie Don captain to lift the Scottish League Cup when they defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4-2 on penalties. He described the win as an “incredible feeling.”
On May 15, 2015, Anderson announced he was to retire from playing but will continue working with the club behind the scenes after facing a lengthy period on the sidelines.
In total he made 413 appearances for Aberdeen, 85 of which was during his second spell.
Russell Anderson bowed out as a player at Pittodrie on Sunday 24 May at a sold out stadium.
