Gothenburg Greats officially granted the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen – Aberdeen Live

Aberdeen Football Club and the Gothenburg Greats were today (12 May 2023) awarded the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen at a ceremony held at Pittodrie Stadium.

The event was attended by thousands of Aberdeen fans, who joined together in a rendition of the much-loved song The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen before witnessing the conferral being awarded by Aberdeen Lord Provost, Dr David Cameron.

The Gothenburg Greats were the Dons side that beat Real Madrid in the final of the European Cup Winners Cup in Sweden on 11 May 1983.

Key features of the Freedom of the City conferral included the reading of the Burgess Ticket, which is a scroll containing an extract from the City Register Freedom Roll, the signing of the City Register, the presentation of a casket to hold the scroll, and the pinning of the scroll to the honorary freemans hat.

READ MORE: Aberdeen closing in on Nicky Devlin transfer as Livi skipper could become first summer signing

Aberdeen Chairman Dave Cormack received the honour on behalf of the football club and Willie Miller, captain of the Gothenburg team, accepted the same honour on behalf of his teammates from 1983. Both wore specially made red fedoras, which the Burgess Tickets were pinned to.

Aberdeen Lord Provost, Dr David Cameron said: It was an honour today for me award the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen to both Aberdeen Football Club and the entire Gothenburg Greats team from 1983.

Todays ceremony was a fantastic occasion for us to be able to honour and recognise Aberdeen Football Club for all they have achieved in their long history and all they have done within our city communities through their valuable community work.

It is fitting that we have also honoured the Gothenburg Greats team of 1983, during the 40th anniversary celebrations of their unbelievable success on the European football stage.

Awarding the Freedom of Aberdeen to both the football club and the Gothenburg Greats team cements their place in the history of our great city, and I congratulate them on all they have achieved and will continue to achieve in the years ahead.

Join our Aberdeen FC Facebook group for all the latest Dons news

Dave Cormack, Aberdeen FC Chairman, said: As Chairman of Aberdeen Football Club I was both privileged and humbled to accept the honour of Freedom of the City, which was bestowed on Aberdeen Football Club today by Lord Provost Dr David Cameron and Aberdeen City Council.

The Club has a rich history and heritage and we have been firmly at the heart of our city and community for 120 years and it was fantastic to see that celebrated today in front of so many Dons supporters.

Aberdeen Football Club is thrilled and proud to receive the Freedom of the City and will strive to make our city proud for decades to come.

Willie Miller, Captain of the Gothenburg team said: On behalf of all the Gothenburg players I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Lord Provost and Aberdeen City Council for bestowing the Freedom of the City upon us.

We were all privileged to be part of such a special team and its fantastic now, four decades on, that our success has been recognised by both the Club and the city.

The celebrations have brought us all back together for the first time in many years and given us time to reflect on what we achieved that night in Gothenburg. This unique afternoon has also allowed us to share a special moment with so many Dons fans who have always been unwavering in their support of both us and Aberdeen FC.

Sign up to our Aberdeen F.C newsletter to get the latest headlines, transfer news and more sent to your inbox

Todays ceremony marked the first conferral to take place in Aberdeen since footballer Denis Law CBE received the honour in 2017 and it is 24 years since fellow football legend and former Aberdeen manager, Sir Alex Ferguson was honoured. Previous recipients include international figures such as Mikhail Gorbachev and Nelson and Winnie Mandela as well as UK politicians, including Sir Winston Churchill.

The Freedom of the City dates back to the 12th century, with current features of the modern ceremony first appearing in the 18th century.

READ NEXT

Willie Miller reveals the moment Aberdeen won the Cup Winners' Cup - and it wasn't in the final

Kelle Roos on injury frustrations as Aberdeen 'keeper relishing in leading the race for Europe

Aberdeen Women snatch late win against Dundee United in captain Loren Campbell's final home game

Barry Robson deflects manager award praise onto squad as Aberdeen boss pleased by Shayden Morris return

John McMaster recalls Sir Alex Ferguson being trampled in a puddle amid his crowning Aberdeen moment

The rest is here:

Gothenburg Greats officially granted the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen - Aberdeen Live