One of the most consistent keepers in Aberdeen history was Bobby Clark who played for the Dons for 15 years between 1965-1980.

The Scotland International was also the first Aberdeen player along with Joe Harper to gain a full set of domestic winners medals when he completed his full house after the Dons won the Premier League in 1980.

The RedMatchday team look back at his Aberdeen career:

 

Bobby Clark was one of Eddie Turnbull’s first signings after the new Aberdeen boss began the Dons rehabilitation in 1965, and he was the son of a Clyde director Tom and began his career with Queens Park.

Bobby joined Queen Park in 1962 as a promising 17-year-old and he made his debut at Glebe Park against Brechin in January 1963. Clark first came to Aberdeen’s attention when he performed heroics against the Dons in a Scottish Cup tie at Pittodrie, helping his side to a 1-1 draw. Aberdeen eased through in the Hampden replay but Clark was superb in both ties. It was not only Clark who had caught the eye as Queens Park were coached by a young coach who was just starting out in his managerial career. Eddie Turnbull had taken Queens close to causing a cup shock and he was soon to be asked to take over at Aberdeen.

Clark soon followed the road north as he recalls “I had been at Queens Park since I was a schoolboy. Eddie had been the coach there in 1963 and he left to take over at Aberdeen in the Spring of 1965. Eddie had made a huge impression on me as a player. He made me see the game in an entirely different light and I was honoured to get the chance to continue our association when he asked me to join him at Aberdeen.

“My first real memory of Pittodrie was arriving early for pre season training at around 7.30am and Teddy Scott was there. I was a little nervous and had just driven up from my girlfriend’s home in Golspie. Teddy was in the boot room and he immediately made me feel at home. He continued to do that for the many youngsters and he was always a constant source of help and advice throughout my time at Pittodrie.”

There was no doubt that Aberdeen had been in decline for several years and it was up to Turnbull to change all that. Bobby was installed as the Dons No1 after John Ogston was sold to Liverpool. Bobby made his competitive debut against Clyde at Pittodrie on 28th August 1965 in a League Cup group match. It was the start of a lengthy association with the Dons and also a marked upturn in Aberdeen fortunes under Turnbull.

“Eddie was a hard task master but a great coach. He had that wonderful ability of taking training sessions which were both instructive and fun. He always took the training and it was with a high tempo and we always used a ball which was not that common back then.”

With Clark now established at Aberdeen international recognition followed when he was selected for he Scotland U-23 side in 1966, making his full international debut against Wales at Hampden on 22nd November 1967 in the Scots 3–2 win.

It was the start of an international career that brought 17 caps for Scotland, a record haul for an Aberdeen player at that time.

In 1967 Aberdeen reached the Scottish Cup Final but went own 2-0 to Celtic at Hampden.

“1967 was an anti climax. I was still part time and made my way to Hampden by public transport. On arriving just before 2.00pm there was no sign of the team. I remember sitting on my own in the dressing room. The minutes ticked by and with the clock at 2.25pm there was still no sign of my team mates. A few minutes later they arrived very late and in a frantic mood. The bus had been involved in a minor accident and worse still our manager Eddie Turnbull was not with us as he had taken ill and had to stay behind at the Gleneagles Hotel where we were based. It was a poor preparation although Davie Shaw did his best but we were just not ready to play in a final. We did not really get into the game until we were two down and by that time it was too late. It was a pity as we had a great side and Celtic had failed to beat us in the league that season.”

While it was a bitter disappointment to lose the final just after the game Aberdeen embarked on a tour of the USA to take part in the Presidents Cup.

“The experience was amazing. We were based in the Washington Hilton for over two months and we travelled all over the United States. We played against a Dutch side ADO Hague in San Francisco, a Brazilian team in the Astrodome, Hibernian in Toronto and Wolverhampton in Los Angeles. There were also matches against Italian side Cagliari and Cerro from Uruguay. It was an experience to play against so many foreign teams and pit our wits against different styles and cultures. It was a great learning experience and taking in all the tourist sights along the way made it a very special time.”

In 1969 Bobby had the unique distinction of playing outfield for the Dons after surfing a loss of form in goal. Ernie McGarr took over as Aberdeen keeper and also that of Scotland. Clark was tried at centre half for the reserves and played twice in the first team before claiming the No1 jersey back after some harsh words from boss Turnbull.

That came just in time for Bobby to play his part in the Dons incredible win over Celtic in the 1970 cup final.

“The team in 1970 had character, talent and belief. We had a solid defence, Boel Buchan, McMillan and Buchan. And of course we had Joe Harper. With wee Joe in the side we always felt that we could score against anybody. He was crafty, tough and a natural scorer. Throw in the pace of Jim Forrest, the graft of Davie Robb, and Derek McKay, a man of destiny during that cup run.”

The following season the league title so nearly came north after Clark set the British top-flight record for not conceding a goal in consecutive, all-competition matches (at 1,155 minutes). You can read more about that by clicking here

The last of Bobby’s 17 international appearance came in 1973 against England. He missed out on the 1974 World Cup but at the age of 32, Ally MacLeod made him part of the Scotland squad that went to Argentina in ’78.

Bobby continued to be the Dons No1 throughout the 70s and eventually racked up more than 500 appearances for the Dons. In 1976 the Dons won the League Cup under Ally MacLeod when they defeated Celtic 2-1 after extra time – Bobby famously had claimed he had dreamt about Davie Robb coming off the bench and scoring the winner – which ‘The Brush’ famously did!

Clark was still in the side that had Billy McNeill and Alex Ferguson as managers at Pittodrie.

In 1978 Bobby received his testimonial from the club and a sell out 20,000 paid tribute to Clark when a select team of former Dons came north to pay tribute to the Aberdeen legend. As Bobby reached the veteran stage of his career he had played under five managers and the best was saved for last.

“Sir Alex was a huge influence on me. I loved the way he immediately emphasised to us that we had to go to Ibrox and Parkhead and win, not just to survive. He was such a positive coach and he really took Aberdeen to a new level and turned the players into winners. I was fortunate enough to work closely with him as I was running the youth set up there with Lenny Taylor. Fergie was always around and I picked up so much from him and used that over and over again during my time as a coach. He would send me to scout on teams when I was injured and I was lucky to get an insight into a great football mind.”

Bobby finally retired from the game in 1980, just after the Dons had won the Premier League for the first time and the abiding memory from the events at Easter Road on that balmy May day was Alex Ferguson running straight to embrace the Dons keeper after the final whistle had confirmed Aberdeen as champions.

“Aberdeen holds so many memories for me, the city, the great games, and the people. The one memory that sticks with me was when we came back with the cup in 1970. George Hay our bus driver turned the bus on to Union Street on our return with the cup and none of us was prepared for the amazing welcome and turnout that awaited us. Union Street was crammed full of supporters and just about each and every one of them was wearing something red that day, it was unforgettable.”

Bobby, who is 73 this year, announced his retirement from coaching in November 2017. After leaving Pittodrie in the early 1980s he coached in Zimbabwe and New Zealand before moving to America. In the States he worked at Dartmouth and Stanford before joining Notre Dame in January 2001 to become the Men’s Soccer Coach and he stayed there for 17 years. He won the 2013 NCAA title.