Cup final fever has swept the north-east with legions of Dons fans travelling from throughout the world to be at Hampden tomorrow.
Aberdeen take on Celtic in the Betfred League Cup final at the national stadium in Glasgow and excitement is growing among the Pittodrie faithful.
A mysterious artist was spotted this week putting up murals of iconic Reds stars through the ages at on the former RGU union building on Schoolhill and at Pittodrie.
Aberdeen supporters from as far afield as Spain, the United Arab Emirates, USA, Canada and Luxembourg are making the journey.
Today, not only do we celebrate #StAndrewsDay, but we have joined the @AberdeenFC red army for Red and White Day!
Let’s see the Dons lift the 2018 Betfred Cup on Sunday!#RedAndWhiteDay #Aberdeen #StandFree #COYR pic.twitter.com/JbjhhtkeFB
— AECC (@AECC_Aberdeen) November 30, 2018
One former Ferryhill resident, Alistair Lowe, 41, has travelled 10,000 miles from his home in Melbourne, Australia for his fourth cup final under Dons boss Derek McInnes.
He said: “I’m lucky to be going at all as I have a five-week old daughter and a two-year-old daughter, so I’m not very popular with the wife, but she understands.”
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Two British Army soldiers on exercise in Norway have broken cover to support the Dons by holding up a bright red flag against the snowy back drop and highlighting the picture on social media.
British Army soldiers on the recent NATO exercise in Norway @AberdeenFC pic.twitter.com/O7U4JjKBI8
— 2 CS Bn REME (@2CS_Bn_REME) November 11, 2018
And the P&J has got into the spirit by giving away Santa hats with “AFC” or “Dons” written on them.
Buchanhaven School BetFred Cup Final Squad Photo #RedAndWhiteDay #SquadPhoto #SquadGoals #COYR #BuchanhavenBelieves @mclennan_connor @AberdeenFC @AFCCT @mcbain96 @RobbieHedderman pic.twitter.com/kaTD1RMyLj
— Buchanhaven PS (@BuchanhavenPS) November 30, 2018
Tullos primary four pupil Tyler Lyon will walk out with club captain Graeme Shinnie as the cup final mascot and he is thrilled at the prospect.
He said: “Graeme is my favourite player, so I’m very excited to walk out with him for the match. I think Aberdeen will win 2-1”.
Scores of supporters will make their way from the south-east of England to Glasgow’s east end for the contest, as the Dons chase their first piece of silverware since 2014.
Andrew Dewar, of the London Aberdeen supporters club, said: “We have about 50 members from not just London but across the south-east and a fair few guys are heading up for the game.”
Closer to home, the Upper Deeside Dons will also be making the pilgrimage to Hampden.
Club contact Peter Morrison said: “About 40 of us from Aboyne, Dinnet, Ballater and Braemar are taking a 53-seater bus down to Glasgow.
“If the fans can be vocal enough, that will really lift the players on the pitch. Aberdeen has always had a great global fanbase and it’s good so many are making the trip.”
