Gothenburg Great Neil Simpson has announced he will finally ‘hang up his boots’ and call time on his illustrious career with Aberdeen FC.

After over 35 years of services, Neil, who is currently the Dons Pathways Manager, has confirmed he is leaving the Club to pursue a new opportunity out-with football.

‘Simmy’, as he is affectionately known, was not only a member of the famous Gothenburg side but he has made significant contributions off the pitch undertaking roles within the former Aberdeen FC Community department before holding senior positions within the Youth Academy.

Brought up in Newmachar and a life-long Dons fan, Simmy was one of the youngsters who Sir Alex Ferguson brought into the side in the early 1980s. Neil went on to play a huge part in the success at home and abroad that decade.

He was in the team that won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup against Real Madrid that memorable night in Gothenburg in 1983, and in the lineup that defeated Hamburg over two legs in the UEFA Super Cup.

And domestically between 1982 and 1985, he picked up two Scottish League Championships, three Scottish Cups and a Scottish League Cup. The midfielder was also capped on five occasions for Scotland whilst at Pittodrie.

Simmy eventually moved to Newcastle United in 1989, after 13 seasons and an 11-year playing stint at Pittodrie. Overall, he made 310 appearances for the Dons. Neil also scored 31 goals which included vitals strikes in the Cup Winners’ Cup Quarter and semi-final and the Super Cup second leg.

He rejoined the Club in June 2001 to head up the Dons Community coaching initiative, later becoming Head of the Youth Academy.

In August 2012 he was given a thoroughly deserved testimonial against Manchester United and has also been awarded the Freedom of the City and been inducted into the AFC Hall of Fame.

In his various roles with the Youth Academy he made a significant contribution to its development and successes for over 20 years. His legacy will continue with the foundations developed within the Academy, which is the envy of many other clubs.

Aberdeen FC chairman, Dave Cormack paid tribute to Neil and thanked him for being not only a playing legend but a loyal servant to the Club with a combined 35 years of service.

He said: “Simmy will always be remembered as a Dons legend and Gothenburg Great. But he has also been a fantastic and loyal servant to the Club off the pitch for over two decades. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Neil for 25 years, having hired him back to the Club in 2001. During this time, he has been a tremendous Aberdeen FC ambassador, a leader and champion of our successful youth development programme and a valued mentor to so many of our young players, helping them progress their careers and transition to the first team.

“It’s understandable that, after such a long spell with the Club, where his current role as Pathways Manager means he travels to watch our loan players every weekend, he’s looking for a different challenge so he can spend more time with his family and watch his son Kyle play for Inverurie Locos. Their gain will very much be our loss. We’re pleased however that he’ll remain in touch with a frequent presence at Pittodrie for many years to come.”