Sir Alex Ferguson, the most decorated manager in football, has been awarded an additional European Cup Winners’ Cup medal for Aberdeen’s 1983 success. Uefa has granted six extra medals to mark the 40th anniversary of the famous win over Real Madrid in Gothenburg. The 81-year-old is among those to receive one of the medals, alongside assistant manager Archie Knox and midfielder Dougie Bell, who missed the final due to injury.
The medals have been cast from Neil Simpson’s original and will be presented at a special event planned for Pittodrie on 12 May. This event will also see the club and the ‘Gothenburg Greats’ receive the Freedom of the City by Aberdeen City Council.
The award of the medals follows a campaign led by Chris Gavin on behalf of the AFC Heritage Trust, along with former Dons chief executive Duncan Fraser. It also recognises the work of then director, Ian Donald, and his father and late chairman, Dick Donald. There are further posthumous nods to former vice-chairman Chris Anderson and club legend Teddy Scott, who served as a player, coach and kit man at Pittodrie for almost 50 years.
Sir Alex Ferguson expressed his gratitude for the efforts of those involved in making this happen, as well as Uefa’s cooperation. He said: “It’s a great honour to be receiving this medal and I am grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen. Their efforts, along with the co-operation of Uefa, is much appreciated. It’s also fantastic to see some of the wonderful people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes during this hugely successful period for the club now being honoured.”
Ferguson has won an impressive 49 trophies across his illustrious career, including 10 with Aberdeen after leading St Mirren to the Scottish First Division title in 1977. He went on to win an additional 38 pieces of silverware during his 26 years in charge of Manchester United, before his Old Trafford reign ended in 2013.
The awarding of these medals is a fitting tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson’s remarkable achievements in football. It is also a recognition of the hard work and dedication of all those involved in Aberdeen’s success during that period. It is an honour that will be cherished by all those who receive it.