The Reds famously defeated Real Madrid to lift the European Cup Winners' Cup 42 years ago
21:30, 17 Mar 2025
Aberdeen remain the last Scottish club to win a European trophy
No one associated with Aberdeen Football Club will ever forget their iconic Cup Winners' Cup triumph back in 1983 - and each surviving member of that famous team that downed Real Madrid have been presented with a very unique gift to go along with their winner's medal.
On May 11, 1983, Sir Alex Ferguson's men did the impossible by defeating the Spanish giants, with John Hewitt heading in the winning goal in extra time after Juanito had cancelled out Eric Black's opener.
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Later that year, the Dons, added the UEFA Super Cup to their collection with a win against European Cup holders Hamburg over two legs to become the only Scottish side to date to have two European stars on their badge.
In May 2023, members of the squad and coaching staff gathered at Pittodrie to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the club's finest hour, where each member of the playing squad was granted with the Freedom of Aberdeen.
A special tribute was also paid to former midfielder Neale Cooper, who sadly passed away back in 2018.
And in a classy gesture, each member of the Gothenburg Greats now have a specially-designed 'commentary chart' gifted to them by renowned commentator Clive Tyldesley.
The Englishman - who worked in the commentary box for Premiership rivals Rangers during COVID - has delivered a version of what his notes would have looked like had he been on duty at the Ullevi Stadium that night back in 1983.
Also attached was a touching letter, and ex Dons midfield general Neil Simpson took to social media to share images of the gift as well as thanking Tyldesley. He wrote in his post on X: Thanks to @CliveTyldesley for a wonderful gift. Much appreciated. Will have pride of place on the mantelpiece."
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Tyldesley's letter read: "There must be times when it all seems like a fairytale now.
"Aberdeen overcoming Bayern Munich on the way to a major European final, then beating Real Madrid in Gothenburg. It really happened.
"Sir Alex Ferguson's 8-year spell as Aberdeen manager changed the old order in Scottish football and brought some of the giants of the continental game to Pittodrie.
"Breaking the hold of the Old Firm to win 3 titles in 6 seasons threw open the door to Europe and on a rainy night in Sweden Fergie's team of granite souls came, saw and conquered the most famous name of all.
"John Hewitt, a wide-eyed Aberdeen ball-boy in his youth, wrote one of the great local hero's stories. At the tender age of 20 he scored winning goals against both Bayern and Real from the bench.
"The iconic extra-time header that won the final from Mark McGhee's cross was worthy of deciding any football match.
"Alfredo di Stefano, the legendary Real manager, paid tribute to Aberdeen's "soul and team spirit built in a family tradition" but this was a family graced by rich talent and athleticism too.
"10 days after Gothenburg, they won the Scottish Cup final too. Later that year, they beat Hamburg to win the European Super Cup. The following season, Aberdeen returned to the Cup Winners' Cup semi-finals.
"They are the most recent Scottish club to lift a European trophy, they might be the last.
This chart is what the '83 final might have looked like from where the television commentator was sitting. These reproductions of the research notes that I compile for big live games are unique to each of us.
John Hewitt celebrates as he beats Real Madrid's goalkeeper Agustin to score the winning goal in extra-time (Image: Bob Thomas/Getty Images)
"We all prepare a little differently. There is no right or wrong way. This is my way.
I made my radio commentary debut in 1976 and I've hand-written a chart like this for every match that I've covered since then. Names and title information are written in black, player and match data in blue, ages in green and scoring statistics in red.
"I write the charts with standard biros and file them all away for future reference after each match.
"All the abbreviated words and accompanying stats may not make much sense to anyone but me, but they are personal prompts for information that I hope I've deposited in my thick skull during the prep process.
"This is what my safety net looks like when I step onto the high wire of live commentary to millions of viewers. "
"We started up 'Commentary Charts' with authentic reproductions of original prep notes from memorable matches I worked on for ITV, but we soon began to receive requests from fans to compile impressions of my charts for other iconic games played by their team.
Clive Tyldesley(Image: Daily Mirror)
"When like this one - that game is one that I didn't work at myself, I have carried out retrospective research as if I were commentating tomorrow.
"It is an unusual memento because it is a screen shot of the occasion at kick-off and tells nothing of the events and dramas that followed. You will have your own personal memories of those. Hopefully, they will all come flooding back to you each time you look at my chart.
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"The players listed in the left-hand column were all made Freemen of Aberdeen in 2023 at a ceremony during which they remembered their much-loved late colleague Neale Cooper.
"None of the Gothenburg Greats will ever be forgotten."