Wednesday
11/05/1983
1982-83
Real Madrid 1 v 2 Aberdeen
Attendance: 17,800

IT’S NAE REAL AS ABERDEEN CONQUER EUROPE IN RAIN LASHED GOTHENBURG

Aberdeen enjoyed their finest hour in a rainy night in Gothenburg as they defeated the mighty Real Madrid to lift the European Cup Winners Cup. The Dons outplayed their illustrious opponents and made the perfect start. Eric Black had given the Madrid defence an early warning when he smashed the ball off the crossbar with only five minutes on the clock. A minute later a Gordon Strachan corner was headed down by McLeish and Black reacted quickest to poke the ball into the net. The Dons had held the lead for only nine minutes when disaster struck. A McLeish pass back was slowed on the sodden turf and Leighton upended Santillana, allowing Juanito to level from the spot. There was no further scoring and the match went to extra time. After missing several chances Aberdeen found a winner with nine minutes remaining. Weir sent McGhee down the left and his cross was met by Hewitt who headed home the historic goal.

Aberdeen Team: J. Leighton, D. Rougvie, J. McMaster, N. Cooper, A. McLeish, W. Miller, G. Strachan, N. Simpson, M. McGhee, E. Black, P. Weir. Sub used J.Hewitt
Goal scorers: E. Black (1) J. Hewitt (1)
Referee: Menegali, G (Italy)
Manager: Ferguson, Alex

TRAINS,PLANES AND AUTOMOBILES

The Dons had finally reached a European cup final and everyone wanted to be there. By air, sea and road the red army mobilised – determined that they would witness this historic event. Most travelled by air, but 500 hardy souls boarded the St. Clair ferry while others travelled on trawlers to see their heroes. This local pride in the team was summed up by the Real Madrid manager Alfredo Di Stefano who said, “Aberdeen have what money can’t buy – a soul; a team spirit built in a family tradition.”

HITLER DIARIES ARE FAKE

Throughout Europe historians had been embroiled in a massive debate over the authenticity of diaries, allegedly written by Adolf Hitler, that had been uncovered by the Sunday Times. Leading historian, Lord Dacre was convinced that the 60 volumes were the real thing, but after a thorough examination by experts in Bonn it has been declared that they are a fake, creating faces that match the Dons shirts in historian circles.

CITY HAILS ITS RETURNING HEROES

The Dons made a triumphant return to the city on Thursday as thousands turned out to greet the European cup winners. The plane carrying the players touched down at lunchtime and an open top bus was laid on to take them to Pittodrie. They eventually arrived at 5:30 as the bus battled through the crowds to get there. People had taken the day off work and Union Street was down to one lane as thousands filled the streets. When the players finally reached Pittodrie the place was bouncing as a city came together as one. The 500 on the St. Clair were not forgotten as Alex Ferguson and Mark McGhee took the cup down to the harbour the following day to greet the seafarers return.

THATCHER CALLS A GENERAL ELECTION

Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, has called a General Election for 9th June as she looks to win a second term in office. She will go up against a Michael Foot led Labour party who have announced that their manifesto will include a promise to withdraw from the EEC and a policy of Unilateral Nuclear Disarmament. Labour have already lost several members to the breakaway Social Democratic Party who look like they may form an alliance with the Liberals.

That evening a young Tony Blair was interviewed for the safe Labour seat of Sedgefield in county Durham. However the local party members were more interested in watching the Aberdeen v Real Madrid game, only leaving five minutes at the end of the evening to discuss politics.

MEATLOAF GOES BUST

“Bat out of Hell” rock star Meatloaf has filed for bankruptcy only six years after enjoying global success with his Jim Steinman written debut album. A series of bad business deals and legal issues has led to the singer’s financial decline. He is also in dispute with his long-time friend and partner Jim Steinman.

TUBE DRIVER MASTERMINDS WIN

London Tube Driver, Christopher Hughes has become the eleventh winner of the BBC’s Mastermind quiz show. The 35-year-old had cut his teeth on an earlier TV quiz, winning £100 on The Sky’s the Limit. The Enfield Grammar School old boy accepted his glass bowl from quizmaster Magnus Magnusson after his win.

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