Aberdeen’s Pittodrie stadium has been honoured with a new plaque commemorating some of the historic firsts at the Dons’ ground as it enters the final years of its life.
The AFC Heritage Trust erected the marker on the Main Stand as part of a project to record the history of the Dandies’, and their predecessor clubs, around the city.
It tells how Pittodrie broke new ground with the first dugout and being the first all-seated and covered stadium.
However, it is unlikely to last long term as the club plans to start playing at the new £50million Kingsford stadium in the 2021-22 season.
The current Aberdeen F.C. was formed following the merger of three clubs—Aberdeen, Victoria United and Orion—in 1903.
Now, as part of a heritage trail, other key sites where games were played have been marked around the city.
Trust chairman Allan McKimmie said that sport was a huge leisure activity, with many workers from nearby factories and granite yards getting half-days on Saturdays to watch their teams play.
He said: “We have had two cast iron plaques made, one at Correction Wynd is being attached, with the permission of the owner, to commemorate the founding of the original Aberdeen Football Club in 1881.
“The second plaque at Pittodrie is for both the first dugout in world football which was put in place by Donald Colman in the 1930s, the first all-seated stadium and the first all-covered stadium – although some would argue there are still parts which aren’t all covered.
“We have always been looking at places where Aberdeen, or the other clubs, played in the early days. The idea was a map of key places of interest for supporters coming to the city to visit and get a taste of where the club came from.
“Our plan would be – if we get permission – to have other plaques installed at these places which would also hopefully help with tourism.”
He added that if anyone had any old memorabilia, such as programmes or match reports, they could either bring them down to Pittodrie or email: feedback@afcheritage.org.
