Last week I had the privilege to spend the afternoon with a roomful of Dons greats; some of the men who brought the league title back to Pittodrie for the first time in a quarter of a century.
The event was organised as a fundraiser for the excellent Aberdeen FC Heritage Trust, and the organisers did an incredible job in assembling 13 of the guys who played their part in that memorable triumph in 1980.
Steve Archibald flew in from Barcelona, Andy Watson was back home from Oman, most of the guys who live locally were in attendance, and John McMaster and Dougie Bell drove up from the central belt.
We split them up into four groups for Q&A sessions, and the memories and stories flowed easily. Their recollections enthralled the room, many of the attendees having been around to witness that 1979-80 campaign.
I certainly fall into that category, and it was such a pleasure to get something of the inside track to games and events I still remember so well.
What I hadn’t recalled was just how far back the Dons had been. I knew they had won back-to-back matches at Celtic Park, and they had pulled off an incredible comeback, but it was even more notable than I had remembered.
They lost three early Premier Division games and by late February that figure had grown to seven. Aberdeen were in sixth place, 10 behind Celtic at a time when it was two points for a win.
Then came a phenomenal 15-match unbeaten run, and it was that period that inevitably became the focus for much of the chat on the day.
The big names – the likes of Clark, Miller, McLeish, McGhee and Archibald – all played their parts, but the players who were unanimously picked out by their team-mates were Drew Jarvie and Andy Watson. Their contribution in the closing months was invaluable and was still highly regarded more than four decades later.
The bond which united the squad 42 years previously was still very much on show that day, the guys all identifying it as a major factor in the success they achieved, and that is something Jim Goodwin will be desperate to instil as he reshapes the side over the summer.
There is no clear formula to getting that right, but while it is important to assemble a talented group, getting in the right kind of characters is just as important, and that’s what Sir Alex Ferguson did all those years ago.
I have no doubt Jim will be looking closely at that aspect, assessing whether the individuals on his list have the mentality to make it at a big club like Aberdeen, and if they have the potential to form a successful unit.
I fully accept that winning games can go a long way to helping forge that, but having the drive and focus in the first place is a major factor, and that 79-80 group had both in abundance.
If Jim finds the right men in that respect, he will go a long way towards ensuring a more acceptable campaign next time round.
The current one is limping to a hugely disappointing conclusion. I didn’t see the St Johnstone game, but I gather the performance was as ineffectual as so many others have been.
Roll on the final whistle tomorrow afternoon.
Willie Garner is well-rounded addition to Dons board
The Dons have made what looks like an excellent appointment with Willie Garner joining the board as non-executive director.
I have got to know Willie well over the years and he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge having operated in various positions at different levels of the game.
He talks well about football, understands its demands, and should be an important voice in the boardroom.
He has also worked in the real world, was in banking and finance for many years, and will adopt a calm and thoughtful approach to his new role.
The fact he’s a long-time Aberdeen fan also helps!
The existing board members all have their strengths, but none bring the variety of abilities Willie has, with his football background a major plus.
I would hope his wise counsel will be accepted, and that he can be an important influence in the years ahead.
