Aberdeen Football Club’s “Gothenburg Greats” – the team that won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1983 – are to be awarded the Freedom of the City.
A motion proposed by Aberdeen Lord Provost Dr David Cameron to honour the side which triumphed over Real Madrid was unanimously supported at a meeting of Full Council this week.
Aberdeen Football Club, which was founded in 1903, will also receive the Freedom of the City in a conferment ceremony set to take place during a celebratory weekend from 12-14 May 2023, planned by the club to mark the 40th anniversary of the Real Madrid match in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Freedom of the City is the highest honour that the Council can bestow and rewards “persons of distinction and any persons who have rendered eminent service to their area".
Aberdeen Lord Provost Dr David Cameron said: “The success they achieved in the 1980s was really quite remarkable and firmly put the city of Aberdeen on the European stage for all to see.
“Aberdeen fans are very loyal and the jubilant scenes across the city on that night in May 1983 will live long in the memory of those old enough to remember it.
“It’s also important for us to honour the football club as a whole as they inspire the next generation of supporters and continue their vital work within our local communities that help bring our city together in support of our very successful football team of which we should be very proud.”
Sir Alex Ferguson who was the then manager of the Gothenburg winning team was granted the Freedom of Aberdeen in 1999.
The most recent recipients of the Freedom of the City were Denis Law (2017), Scotland the What? (2008), The Highlanders, 4th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland (2006) and Professor John Mallard OBE (2004).