glasgow sheep

That's what wiki says but I'm sure it's dropped a bit in recent years, and including segregation the capacity for sat can't be much over 20,000

But has this not always been the case? I'm sure OF games will always have pulled a bigger TV audience than Aberdeen v Hibs. The problem now is that live football (or even reasonably timed highlights) is not seen on normal TV. Furthermore many more folk have Sky than have Setanta, which will further skew the figures. I'd be worried for Sky and the EPL if, given the crazy levels of investment and publicity in the English top league, they didn't pull larger audiences than SPL games

Anyway well done to afc, willie, len and all the loons. Keep up the good work and hope to see some of you breaking through to the full international team in the future. THREAD CLOSED

players at afc when fergie joined: Archibald, Cooper, Kennedy, McLeish, McMaster, Miller, Rougvie, Strachan to name but a few

Aye Sone and Josh were a total waste of time and money last year

Can we not just have one thread where we can praise something afc have done? What the fuck does JC and the first XI have to do with this anyway? This is about the U19 (and younger) team

Is he a goalkeeper? I remember hearing something about us looking at a Polish keeper playing in the North East, for one of the HL teams maybe?

quite I don't suppose we'll ever get back to Sportscene Saturday night and Scotsport on a Sunday afternoon, but unless action is taken surely less and less kids will bothering showing any interest in the Scottish game, they won't pester their dads to take them to games and their dads will save their money for other family activities at the weekend, or indeed on Sky+ instead. Cheap(er) prices for kids would help but these kids aren't suddenly going to show an interest just because it costs dad a few quid less.

Well blow me down. Best ever crop of youngsters? Maybe Willie has been doing something down Merkland Road after all.

I think that was my main point. It's all very well if they have family members that are happy to drag them along to games and pass on the support for their team. My dad certainly made sure I was a dandy but he rarely took me to games. Without the TV exposure I doubt I would still be going on a regular basis. My nephews stay in the Glasgow area and you'd expect their mates to be old firm daft but even they seem to be after EPL cards and know more about EPL players and teams compared to the SPL

Just need to get them to more games, although after the trauma AberdeenBasedThickAsPigShit went through I'm not so sure

Was round at my sisters the other day and my nephews were showing me all the football cards they had been collecting. They have been up here for a year or so after moving up from England, and their dad is English and a Sheffield Wed fan so understandably they had mainly EPL cards (and dozens of the things) apart from the youngest lad who I'm glad to say has been getting all the Aberdeen cards off his mates at school. However when I asked them what cards their mates collected it was pretty much just the EPL cards. Seemingly few had any interest in the SPL equivalent, to the extent they seemed to give away their Aberdeen cards for f'all to my nephew. They then talked about getting up to watch Match of the Day on a Sunday morning and the Championship highlights later on. When are kids meant to see Scottish football on TV these days? They don't have Setanta and are too young to be staying up until 2245 on a school night. How are they meant to develop an interest in the game when they can't even watch the game? It's little wonder that there are so many wandering around in Chelsea and ManU tops.

bring back the DT Gallery!

since when have mods been anonymous? In anycase he hasn't exactly posted his name has he?

The fierce rivalry that has remained between Aberdeen and Rangers down the years has rarely been seen in a positive light in recent years. However for every 'incident' which will be listed in the press at some point this week, there have probably been many more classic encounters that have had generations of supporters from Aberdeen and Rangers engrossed. Kevin Stirling reports. http://www.afc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/9a/9a/0,,10284~5282458,00.jpg[/img] Ever since the first ball was kicked in anger between the two clubs away back in 1905 there has since grown a rivalry that has remained intense. Perhaps it has been the fact that Aberdeen by virtue of its geographical location and its provincial status that supporters in these parts enjoy putting one over their big city rivals. It is a common belief that the fierce rivalry was brought about during the memorable Alex Ferguson era in the 80's. While that belief has merit, there is plenty of evidence from previous encounters to suggest otherwise. Even as far back as 1911 when Aberdeen mustered their first serious challenge for the league title there was controversy between the sides. Pittodrie's doors were locked for two weeks by the SFA following an alleged attack on Rangers Jimmy Gordon after the Dons 1-0 win that intensified the pressure on Rangers at the top of the table. Even back then Pittodrie was never an easy place to visit and arguably a six hour journey north may have added to the problems that visiting teams faced. That was not lost on then Aberdeen manager Jimmy Philip who was always looking to seek any advantage he could, even if it meant stretching the rules to the limit. It was reported on one occasion before a big match against Rangers that Philip ordered his ground staff to water the pitch heavily after the visiting Rangers team had been on the pitch to have a look at the conditions. Unknown to them as they were preparing for the game the Aberdeen ground staff we frantically using every conceivable means to carry out their managers instructions. http://www.afc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/9b/9a/0,,10284~5282459,00.jpg[/img] In the Scottish Cup the visit of Rangers was always keenly anticipated; a massive crowd in excess of 44,000 turned out for a 6th round tie in February 1955. It was billed as a revenge mission for Rangers, still smarting from their 6-0 humiliation at Hampden in the previous seasons semi-final. Aberdeen were in the midst of winning their first league flag and when Bob Wishart scored the winning goal in the second half it was reported that 'many a bonnet was thrown high into the sky, almost touching those famous Northern Lights'. In the semi final the previous season it was a first ever Scottish Cup win for the Dons over Rangers and it was achieved with a style that had rarely been seen from any Aberdeen side. The margin of victory was no fluke and the myth of the tough Rangers 'Iron Curtain' defence was simply swept aside before a massive crowd of 111,000. In April 1954 it was a 4-0 win over Rangers at Pittodrie that virtually clinched the league title for Aberdeen as Paddy Buckley ran riot against Rangers with a display of pace and power that brought scathing criticism for Rangers from the Glasgow press. One report of the time stated; 'Wee Buckley ran the Rangers defence a merry dance as they danced to the Aberdeen wizards' tune. Buckley exposed a Rangers defence that looked flat of foot and cumbersome. Never before had they chased so much shadows in a game'. Even when Aberdeen were not enjoying the best of times they still managed to turn over their great rivals; in season 1960.61 it was a youthful Aberdeen who almost wrecked Rangers championship charge when they hammered the title favourites 6-1 at Pittodrie. Bobby Cummings hat trick and further goals from Little, Brownlee and Charlie Cooke thrilled the home support. In relative terms this was perhaps the biggest shock in all previous matches as Aberdeen's days of challenging at the top had long since gone. http://www.afc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/9c/9a/0,,10284~5282460,00.jpg[/img] When the Premier league came in to force in 1975 the new set up changed Aberdeen fortunes for the better. Rangers had not lost a league game in the ten previous seasons but that all changed in the first ever Premier meeting at Pittodrie in December 1975 when a goal from Drew Jarvie gave the Dons a deserved win and heralded an era of invincibility against Rangers at Pittodrie. In the opening day of the 1977.78 season Aberdeen crushed the Gers 3-1 in Billy McNeill's first game and that trend continued when Alex Ferguson took over in 1978. http://www.afc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/9d/9a/0,,10284~5282461,00.jpg[/img] Arguably it was during those times that much was made of the rivalry that existed between the clubs—there was no doubt that Ferguson was playing mind games with just about anyone who would care to listen as he was never averse to implications before Aberdeen were due to play either of the Old Firm. It may have a common theme these days but pressure was usually piled on the referee before any game as Fergie was hopeful that he 'would have to be strong for this one'. That era was littered with such statements and it all helped hone the siege mentality that Ferguson had down to a fine art. There was no doubt that it helped Aberdeen and invariably in those games his side would prevail. It was that run of success perhaps more than anything else that left Rangers bitter as to how a team from the provinces could come down to Glasgow and have it all their own way. Notable Ibrox wins during that time was a 1-0 win in November 1979 as Aberdeen went on win the title; a crucial Eric Black header in 1982 kept Aberdeen at the top of the league; a 2-0 win in September 1983 as the Dons strolled to the championship; back to back wins at Ibrox in season 1984.85 as the Dons created a Premier record points haul on their way to retaining the championship; a 3-0 win in September 1985 that was as controversial as they come with Rangers having two players sent off and the Dons turning the second half in to a virtual training session. http://www.afc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/a0/9a/0,,10284~5282464,00.jpg[/img] Meanwhile there was little respite for Rangers when they came to Pittodrie as their miserable record continued. One crucial game in that era came at Pittodrie in November 1983. Rangers had turned to old boss Jock Wallace in their hour of need and the new manager insisted that his side would fight hard to get Rangers back on the road to success. What Wallace did not dwell on too much was the fact that he was third choice to take over. Alex Ferguson guaranteed iconic status in Aberdeen when he turned down the chance to take over at Ibrox, as did Jim McLean at Dundee Utd. Unfortunately for Wallace his first game was at Pittodrie and although he insisted his players wore the old traditional black and red socks of the old Rangers teams, it made little difference to the Dons as they swept in to a two-goal lead after only 9 minutes. The final 3-0 win was scant reward for the Dons who brutally exposed the wide gulf in class that had developed under Ferguson. In recent years it has changed of course with Rangers and Celtic gradually utilising their vast resources to become the all-powerful forces in Scotland. However Aberdeen eventually defeated Celtic after seven years of toil at Pittodrie last week and Rangers recent record at Pittodrie has been poor, although not quite as bad as the Dons recent record at Ibrox! In the final game of the 2006.07 season, the Dons had to beat Rangers to ensure qualification for the UEFA Cup. A full house in a highly-charged atmosphere saw Aberdeen sweep Rangers aside in a sensational 2-0 win as Aberdeen fully deserved their win. And of course last season a tired Rangers side came north once again for the final game of the season looking to win to have a chance of taking the title. Goals from Lee Miller and Darren Mackie gave Aberdeen another memorable victory over their biggest rivals. http://www.afc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/a6/9a/0,,10284~5282470,00.jpg[/img]

on night shift Might get up and watch it on the tv, but having missed the win over the tims perhaps I'm better just waking to find out we've horsed the cunts. All these fans scrabbling around for tickets better be getting their arses along to pittodrie for the united game

spot the signs

[move]YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS[/move] That is all

They're scum and they know they are. Hearts fans at Killie today edit: also at http://www.hmfckickback.co.uk/showthread.php?t=41161

In a similar way I don't think Mackie will leave Pittodrie unless he is forced out, and certainly not for a side-ways move to the likes of Blackpool and Coventry. I would imagine we could keep him for relatively little and would certainly be worth keeping as a squad player regardless of his merits as a first team starter or not

are we paying for this surgery?

get yer tickets people Game 2 on the way to Homecoming Champions 2009

and all because he never gave Miller a freekick for getting fouled for about 10yds before getting hacked down

Just back (sic) Really enjoyed the match tonight, well worth the £20 and the jumped up steward upset we dared to stand for longer than 2s after the goal. First half we were terrible. Zander all over the shop, Mulgrew unable to go forward or seemingly pass a ball to a aberdeen player and mackie and foster clueless on the right. Killie got a lucky break for their goal after a wicked deflection, but the could have had 2 or 3. We created little but managed to force a number of corners and Miller scored from one with what looked like a back heel flick after Mulgrew finally worked out how to kick a ball. 1-1 at half time certainly flattered us, but we came out guns blazing in the 2nd and for a good 15 mins were pinging the ball around beautifully. Great 2nd, Miller header from the corner of the 6yrd box after great work by aluko on the right. After that we could, and probably should have scored more, with aluko guilty of passing up a great chance. Killie then put us under a lot of pressure for the last 15mins but only created a couple of decent chances. We looked dangerous on the break but had the linesman to contend with. One move in particular Miller played Aluko in from a position that looked perfectly in line only for the flag to go up. Could well have lost, but managed to hold on in a pretty entertaining game all round. Aluko and Miller were superb and McDonald and Kerr continue to impress in the middle. Severin was solid and hopefully doesn't have a bad injury as the rest of our back line, esp zander and foster, were generally woeful. Vital 3pts, above the LSC and about time to get something off the tims at Pittodrie