The European Cup Winners’ Cup Final in 1983, plus the Scottish Cup final a few weeks later – have been well documented by the Red Matchday team.

Just on a few occasions.

There was a game in between those two though, three days after Gothenburg, and that has not had quite so much coverage. since.

Three years after winning the league at Easter Road, again the Dons would beat Hibs 5-0, but this time it would not be enough…

The Hibernian players sportingly lined up as a guard of honour for the new European Cup Winner’s Cup holders then less sportingly adopted an extremely physical approach during the final 90 minutes of the league season.

Aberdeen manager Alex Ferguson personally thanked the thousands of fans who made the historic trip to Gothenburg for the victory over Real Madrid three days earlier over the Pittodrie loudspeaker system.

Each Don received a great ovation when he came out to test the pitch. Some 24,000 packed into the stadium and some of the turnstiles were closed around 2.15.

The home side opened in confident style, determined to turn this last game of the season at Pittodrie into a carnival occasion. Hibs contributed to the gala atmosphere by donating an “own goal” in the ninth minute. Doug Rougvie set Eric Black free and Brazil was unfortunate enough to divert the winger’s low cross past Alan Rough.

Rough became the busiest player on the pitch as the Dons pressed on the accelerator and he produced a fantastic save when he tipped over a Mark McGhee header from a John Hewitt cross. On the half hour mark, the keeper had to admit defeat though when McGhee netted Aberdeen’s second. Eric Black swung over a long cross from the right and the striker nipped in on the blind side to head the ball into the net off the underside of the bar. Black was immediately replaced by Steve Cowan, no doubt to ensure Eric’s availability for the Scottish Cup final against Rangers on the following Saturday.

The Dons were now coasting, perhaps thinking of the visit to Hampden.

On 49 minutes, Hewitt helped Rough by getting in the way of a netbound shot from Gordon Strachan, then four minutes later Aberdeen were given a cup final scare when Alex McLeish collided with the concrete barrier following a clash with Harvey on the touchline. The tall defender fell, clutching his head and was helped to the dressing room. Derek Hamilton went to right-back and Rougvie took McLeish’s position. Hamilton was involved in Aberdeen’s third goal on 70 minutes when he was fouled by Sneddon. Strachan blasted the ball high into the net from the resultant penalty.

Miller took a hefty knock on the shoulder when he was toppled by Duncan, but he continued after treatment, although obviously still in pain. Substitute Cowan got his name on the scoresheet on 78 minutes when he was in the right place to knock the ball home after a Hewitt drive rebounded off the post. Although the ball came to him at an awkward height, Cowan did well to convert his chance.

Three minutes from time, Ian Angus provided the icing on the cake when he rammed home a fifth goal with a glorious left foot shot. Hibs had been outclassed but Aberdeen could only snatch the league title on the final day if both Dundee United lost and Celtic drew.

At Dens Park in the Dundee derby, Ralph Milne, who would go on to play for Manchester United, glided past a couple of challenges, including one from Stewart McKimmie, before spotting goalkeeper Kelly move off his line. The forward’s precise, floated chip travelled 20 yards to the net and Dundee United were on their way after just four minutes. On 11 minutes, Eamonn Bannon added a second before Iain Ferguson pulled one back just before the half hour mark. Dundee recovered to come within a whisker of an equaliser when Albert Kidd neglected to put away a header in the 65th minute.

Three years later, at the same venue, on the final day of the season, Kidd would break more than a few Hearts in the most astonishing finale to a Scottish season ever.

United calmly strolled their way through the final phase, unaware how close Aberdeen and Celtic were to catching them should there be any slip-ups. Having come this far, though, United were not about to blow it at the last, unlike Hearts.

In the end, both Celtic, who beat Rangers 4-2 at Ibrox, and Dundee United won and United were champions.

In the end Aberdeen would finish third on goal difference.

Still, it wasn’t a bad season was it?