Former Aberdeen boss Alex Smith on the role of Gothenburg Great Sir Alex Ferguson in the move to sign players from Holland in the late 1980s to compete with Rangers' and Celtic's growing riches.
The Aberdeen FC management team of Drew Jarvie (left), Alex Smith and Jocky Scott (right)
The Aberdeen FC management team of Drew Jarvie (left), Alex Smith and Jocky Scott (right). Image Aberdeen Journals Ltd 1991
Legendary former Aberdeen manager Alex Smith has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson played a key role in the club’s Dutch revolution of the late 1980s.
Smith was appointed Dons manager in 1988, two years after Gothenburg Great Ferguson moved to English top-flight giants Manchester United.
Ferguson was initially replaced by Ian Porterfield who led Aberdeen from ’86 to ’88.
Smith then took over at Pittodrie at a time when Rangers and Celtic were broadening the financial gap, with the Ibrox club signing top players from England.
However, Ferguson played a key role in opening up the Dutch market to Smith, who signed key players Hans Gillhaus, Theo Snelders, Willem van der Ark and Paul Mason from the Netherlands.
Alex Smith with the Skol Cup (left) and the SFL Cup.
Alex Smith with the Skol Cup (left) and the SFL Cup. Image: SNS.
All four would go on to play pivotal roles in a double-winning season under Smith as Aberdeen won the League Cup and Scottish Cup in 1989-90.
The catalyst for the Dutch link was Smith’s role in Aberdeen’s smooth sale of Scotland international keeper Jim Leighton to Manchester United.
First steps to Dons opening Dutch market
This led to Ferguson passing on details of a top Dutch agent to Smith.
Ferguson had also targeted a player from the Netherlands to potentially take to Old Trafford, but Smith ultimately signed him for the Dons.
Pittodrie great Smith also reveals how he was able to get Dutch international Gillhaus to sign for the Dons only a year after winning the European Cup with PSV Eindhoven.
Smith, who will be inducted into the Aberdeen Hall of Fame on Thursday, said: “Things were moving in the transfer market at the time with the Old Firm.
“We had to compete against their finances.
“It was challenging, but a great challenge.
“We had to be good at spotting players to sign and taking our young players through from the academy.
“We had to make a team strong enough to stand up to Rangers, who had rebuilt with Graeme Souness as manager.
Aberdeen players celebrate winning the Scottish Cup in 190. Back row from left: Alex McLeish, Hans Gillhaus, Theo Snelders, Robert Connor, Gregg Watson, Brian Irvine, Stuart McKimmie. Front row from left: Eoin Jess, Charlie Nicholas, Jim Bett, Paul Mason, David Robertson and Brian Grant.
Aberdeen players celebrate winning the Scottish Cup in 1990. Back row from left: Alex McLeish, Hans Gillhaus, Theo Snelders, Robert Connor, Gregg Watson, Brian Irvine, Stuart McKimmie. Front row from left: Eoin Jess, Charlie Nicholas, Jim Bett, Paul Mason, David Robertson and Brian Grant. Image: SNS.
“Rangers were spending a lot of money on players from England and the continent.
“We could only spend money in the Scottish market and the lower leagues in England.
“However, in football we help each other on many occasions.
“When I was going into Aberdeen, I knew we would be losing Jim Leighton.
“He had become a legend at the club and was the best goalkeeper in the business.
“It was time for him to get another challenge for his own sake and replacing Jim was a first priority.
“When you are replacing someone like Jim, you can’t only sign a player who can make good saves and shut-outs – you are replacing a legend.
Left to right, Willie Miller, Doug Rougvie, Jim Leighton and Doug Bell hold manager Alex Ferguson. Image: DC Thomson.
“We needed a keeper like Jim, not a normal keeper. A keeper who had played at a high level and would also be able to handle the pressure of replacing a club legend.
“Alex (Ferguson) was a great friend of mine prior to him going to Aberdeen, when he was playing at Falkirk and I was at Stirling Albion. We had known each other a long time.
“Losing Jim was a big problem for the club as it was going to cost a lot of money to replace him.
“Alex was at Manchester United then and was desperate to get Jim there.
“There was a bit of help from both sides.
Aberdeen boss Alex Ferguson is held high by his players after winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup in Gothenburg. Image: SNS.
“It was very important they got him from our point of view, and we would deal with Manchester United and Alex in the business and be nice and tidy.
“Then we would look at trying to bring in a keeper of the same ilk, which seemed just about impossible.
“Alex was so happy he managed to get Jim to Manchester United. We were at a game in Glasgow and Alex thanked me for the help I gave with Jim’s transfer. He then gave me a card of an agent in Holland called Tom Van Dalen who had worked for the Dutch football association.
“Alex said: ‘Give him a ring- he thinks he has some good keepers in Holland’.
“That was the first step.”
Leighton transferred to Manchester United in summer 1988 for a fee of around £450,000.
Snelders joins SFA camp at Largs
Smith contacted renowned agent Van Dalen, who suggested a 24-year-old at Dutch top-flight FC Twente Enschede could be an ideal replacement – Snelders.
Following initial talks, the keeper flew to Scotland and Smith sent him to train with the SFA coaching team in Largs, to get a lowdown on the young keeper.
After the first training session, former England international Alan Hodkinson, who took the sessions, urged Smith to sign Snelders immediately.
Aberdeen keeeper Theo Snelders in action against Celtic. Image: SNS.
Smith said: “The one thing I said to Alex (Ferguson), and he agreed, was it had to be a keeper who was more than good.
“I got in touch with Van Dalen who told me he had a keeper called Snelders.
“He had played with Enschede since he was 16 and now had four really good seasons with them behind him.
“I arranged to see Theo in Holland towards the end of their season, but unfortunately just before I travelled over he got an injury.
Dons Theo Snelders (left) and Brian Irvine with the Scottish Cup at Hampden in 1990.
Dons Theo Snelders (left) and Brian Irvine with the Scottish Cup at Hampden in 1990. Image: DC Thomson.
“I still went over to meet him and invited him to come to Aberdeen to have a look around the club.
“At the same time the SFA held European certificates and I was going to be coaching at that at Largs.
“I spoke to Craig Brown (former Scotland and Aberdeen manager), and he agreed I could take a couple of players over and down to Largs.
“Alan Hodkinson, the ex-English keeper, was there and we got him to take Theo for a week there with the rest of the keepers to have a look at him and give me an idea of how good he was – or how ordinary.
Theo Snelders dived low to his left to deny Anton Rogan at 8-8 in the Scottish Cup final in 1990.
Theo Snelders dived low to his left to deny Anton Rogan at 8-8 in the Scottish Cup final in 1990. Image: DC Thomson.
“I had watched videos of Theo and thought he was very good.
“After the first session Alan had with Theo, he said: ‘Alex don’t wait any longer if you can, get this boy signed, do it as quick as possible. He will be ready to play for Aberdeen.'”
Snelders made an immediate impact at Aberdeen and was named the Scottish PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 1989.
Snelders’ move to Aberdeen was a ‘marriage made in heaven’, says Alex Smith
The Dutch keeper made 227 appearances for the Dons.
Snelders saved Anton Rogan’s penalty in the 1990 Scottish Cup final spot-kick shoot-out win against Celtic at Hampden.
Smith said: “I negotiated a fee for Theo which was around £450,000.
“With Mr Donald (Ian Donald, chairman) you had to go through a certain procedure when buying a player in for Aberdeen.
“He had to be informed of all the financial dealings and it had to be an amount of money that would not put Aberdeen in trouble.
The Scottish Cup is still in the boardroom when vice-chairman Ian Donald and chairman Dick Donald introduce new manager Ian Porterfield to the assembled press. Image: DC Thomson.
“I felt the fee to take a keeper of Theo’s quality was more than reasonable as I was confident he would be able to handle the levels Jim had – and do it right away.
“Theo was delighted to come and it was a marriage made in heaven.
“When he came onto the field for his first game ,the fans went crazy for him.”
The successful relationship with Van Dalen would lead to further business within the Netherlands for Smith.
Signing a player Ferguson targeted
And the relationship with Manchester United’s Ferguson would also offer valuable routes into that market.
Ferguson asked if Smith could travel to the Netherlands to scout a player on his radar as a potential right-back.
That player was Paul Mason.
Smith watched him star for Groningen and immediately wanted to sign the former Everton player.
However, he had to sweat for two weeks to discover if Ferguson wanted him.
During that period, Mason trained with the Dons.
Aberdeen's Charlie Nicholas (left) holds the Skol Cup trophy and Paul Mason holds the League Cup trophy after their victory at Hampden.
Aberdeen’s Charlie Nicholas (left) holds the Skol Cup trophy and Paul Mason holds the League Cup trophy after their victory at Hampden. Image: SNS.
Smith said: “After Theo Snelders I became interested in other players in Holland.
“I felt we needed about three or four players to come in along with Theo.
“The Dutch clubs were quite keen to do business with us and Van Dalen gave us names and we tried to bring a few in.
“Alex (Ferguson) was delighted to get Jim, and when I was down in Manchester talking with him, he asked if I could do him a favour.
Paul Mason in action for Aberdeen against Dunfermline Athletic.
Paul Mason in action for Aberdeen against Dunfermline Athletic. Image: SNS.
“There was player who had been at Everton as a young boy but broke his leg and was now in Holland.
“Alex had a lot of good information on the player and asked me to have a look for him.
“He played for Groningen and I went over to see them play Enschede.”
Mason had been at Everton, but was released as a teenager by the Toffees.
Secret training camp for Mason
He suffered a broken leg playing for an amateur club and then moved to the Netherlands to work.
It was during that time playing amateur football in the Netherlands when a scout for Groningen spotted him.
He earned a full-time contract and became a key player for the Dutch club.
Aberdeen's Paul Mason (4th right) beats 'keeper Chris Woods and defender Richard Gough (bandaged head) to open the scoring in the League Cup final.
Aberdeen’s Paul Mason (4th right) beats ‘keeper Chris Woods and defender Richard Gough (bandaged head) to open the scoring in the League Cup final. Image: SNS.
Smith said: “Paul was outstanding, the best player on the park – his dribbling and first pass were superb.
“He could create a chance with his vision and open up back-fours, defences.
“I told Alex he is a really good player for you with the qualities you asked for – but he is not a right-back.
“Alex was looking for a right-back, and I said he is only five-foot-eight and would be killed at the back-posts in England.
“But he is a good player and I would like to sign him.
“I said to Alex if he could maybe take a fortnight to think about it.
“And if he didn’t do anything in that period, then let me know and I’ll do business.
“Alex had spent a lot of his summer money on other players.
“He only had a certain amount left to bring in a right-back and another defender, so he couldn’t gamble on his physique.
“I said to Alex: ‘If you like the look of him and take him, that’s fine.’
“But if you’re not sure will I get the first go at him – and Alex said: ‘Aye, okay’.
“We took Paul in for training and no-one knew about it, but our players were raving about him.
“The 14 days went by and Alex didn’t think he could sign him, so we got him.
“Paul could comfortably have played for any of the Premier League clubs in England.”
Smith signed Mason in a £200,000 transfer.
Alex Smith’s weekly flights from Aberdeen to Netherlands to meet agent Van Dalen – ‘we struck an oilfield’
Mason made 193 appearances for the Dons, scoring 37 goals.
He netted both goals in the 1989 League Cup final win against Rangers.
Another piece of the Dutch puzzle had been slotted in at Pittodrie – but more were to come.
Towering Dutch striker Willem Van Der Ark was signed in January 1989 from Willem II.
Willem van der Ark and Alex Smith in 1989. Image: DC Thomson.
Now based in Brisbane, Australia, Smith said: “Willem was six-foot-four and a slim-built centre-forward striker.
“We had Charlie Nicholas and I thought he had been used to playing alongside a big player at Celtic and Arsenal.
“He used to play alongside (Alan) Smith at Arsenal, who was six-foot-three, and my thinking was he likes playing alongside big players to get knock-downs.
“However, it turned out it didn’t suit Charlie playing alongside big players.
“It suited him playing alongside players like himself – quick across the ground, with good feet and clinical finishers.
Aberdeen's Willem Van Der Ark outjumps an opposing player in a UEFA Cup tie against 1903 Copenhagen.
Aberdeen’s Willem Van Der Ark outjumps an opposing player in a UEFA Cup tie against 1903 Copenhagen. Image: SNS.
“Quick thinkers and alert who could link up the play.
“However, Willem was a great signing.
“He could get touch-downs in the penalty box when they were all fighting for the ball.
“At that time, Van Dalen would phone me on a Monday. He would tell me he has two or three particular players he would like me to see so could I come across.
“So I would take our training on a Tuesday, finish at lunchtime at 12.30pm, then get showered and rush to the airport to get a flight to Amsterdam.
“I would meet Van Dalen at the airport and we would go to a game.
“I did that for three months in that early period at Aberdeen.
Rangers keeper Chris Woods just gets a touch to deny Willem van der Ark in extra time in the League Cup final in 1989. Image: DC Thomson.
“We struck this oilfield with Van Dalen as we couldn’t get the players of that cailber from England for the price we were paying for them.
“We would have had to pay double the money if we were to sign players like that from England.”
The agent Ferguson had initially put Smith in contact with in the Netherlands would be key to landing a major signing coup.
Signing a European Cup winner
He called Smith to inform him Dutch international Hans Gillhaus could be available for a transfer from PSV Eindhoven.
The previous year Gillhaus had started and played 105 minutes of PSV’s European Cup win against Benfica (6-5 on penalties, after 0-0 draw).
Gillhaus was looking for a new club as he was kept out of the PSV team by recent signing Romario, the Brazilian legend.
Aberdeen legend Hans Gillhaus celebrates scoring in the 1989-90 season. Image: DC Thomson.
Smith said: “Van Dalen phoned me one day and said he had a guy called Gillhaus. He said he had won the European Cup with PSV the year before.
“And he had already spoken to him about Aberdeen, myself and the set-up.
“I was set to go over to Holland on the Friday night.
“However, I couldn’t make it so asked Jocky (Scott, co-manager) to go across to see him.
“Jocky as a scout was pernickety as he wanted to see a top player all the time.
“He came back with a report and said Gillhaus is a great player, but will have to see him again for that type of money.
Dons striker Hans Gillhaus manages to get a shot through a crowded Manchester United goal area during the Tall Ships Challenge match at Pittodrie in 1991. (United won 4-2 on pens after a 1-1 draw).
Dons striker Hans Gillhaus shoots against Manchester United goal area during the Tall Ships Challenge match at Pittodrie in 1991. (United won 4-2 on pens after a 1-1 draw). Image: DC Thomson.
“We went over to Holland for his next game, and I asked Jocky to go to one end of the stand, with me at the other, and said we’d make a decision between us by the end of the game.
“After 10 minutes, I was convinced this is the player.
“When I see a good player I jump up and stand to watch.
“I walked down the steps 10 minutes into the game and shouted: ‘JOCKY!!!’, to the other end.
Manchester United’s Schmeichel dives at the feet of Dons striker Hans Gillhaus at Pittodrie. Image: DC Thomson.
“He came over, and I said: ‘I’m in at half-time and signing this boy if we can get an arrangement made and a deal done’.
“Surprisingly Hans was easy to deal with and wanted to come to Aberdeen.
“He had already looked up Aberdeen and about them being European Cup Winners’ Cup and Super Cup winners.”
Signing players that could face up to Rangers and Celtic
Aberdeen splashed out a then-club record £650,000 fee to secure Gillhaus.
The left-sided attacker made an immediate impact.
Gillhaus scored a double, including a a sublime over-head kick goal, on his debut in a 3-0 away league win at Dunfermline Athletic on November, 18 1989.
The attacker followed it up by scoring the winner against Rangers in his first appearance at Pittodrie.
During his time at Aberdeen, Gillhaus played in the 1990 World Cup.
A delighted Dons manager Alex Smith greets his latest signing, Dutchman Hans Gillhaus, in the boardroom at Pittodrie this. Aberdeen FC director Ian Donald is on the left.
A delighted Dons manager Alex Smith greets his latest signing, Dutchman Hans Gillhaus, in the boardroom at Pittodrie. Aberdeen FC director Ian Donald is on the left. Image: DC Thomson.
Smith said: “Hans was massive for Aberdeen.
“All of a sudden we had a European Cup winner who was a Dutch international.
“And also a keeper (Snelders) who had played for the Dutch under-21s.
“We had players come in who had the standing to face up to Rangers at Ibrox and Celtic at Parkhead, that won’t be intimidated by those crowds – they will respond to crowds, rather than the other way.
“On top of that myself, Jocky and Drew (Jarvie) developed players who were regularly in the 19s and took them into the first-team.
“We refused to sell them to other clubs who wanted them.
“There were six or seven of those young players who were already bedded in our team.
“Aberdeen was in a good place at that time.”
Smith would also sign midfielder Peter van de Ven from the Dutch market, arriving from Willem II in 1990
During his time as Aberdeen manager, Smith pushed big-spending Rangers hard in the league title race.
Pride at Aberdeen Hall of Fame
In 1991, they needed a draw at Ibrox in the final game of the season to win the title, but suffered the heartache of a 2-0 loss.
Smith did, however, deliver cup final triumphs as Dons boss, masterminding the League Cup and Scottish Cup double in 1989-90.
At 86, he remains active in football, coaching and mentoring at Springfield United in Australia.
Aberdeen management trio (left to right) - Drew Jarvie, Alex Smith and Jocky Scott.
Aberdeen management trio (left to right) – Drew Jarvie, Alex Smith and Jocky Scott. Image: DC Thomson.
On the Hall of Fame induction, he said: “I am very proud of that as I really enjoyed my time at Aberdeen.
“I was fortunate to work with a great team and international players.
“Sir Alex talked to me about how great it is when Aberdeen win a cup because you have the city to yourself and the celebrations can go anywhere.
“I got to experience that.”