To coincide with the 30th anniversary of Aberdeen’s famous 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the European Cup Winners Cup Final in Gothenburg, customers of First Aberdeen are being given the opportunity to name one of the company’s brand new ‘Northern Lights’ buses after one of the team that played that evening as well as the manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
Helping First Aberdeen launch the competition today were two of the players that defeated the mighty Real Madrid on the 11th May, 1983. Centre half and Team Captain, Willie Miller, was joined by central midfielder, Neil Simpson, who is currently Head of Aberdeen FC’s Youth Academy.
Willie Miller said: “That night in Gothenburg was the pinnacle of our careers. The success our team had under Sir Alex Ferguson was incredible. It’s been very enjoyable to reminisce about the glory days of the early 80s and remarkable to see the goodwill and enthusiasm from Dons fans all over the world. To have one of First Aberdeen’s new buses named after one of the team is good fun and a great honour.”
Neil Simpson said: “The brand new Northern Lights buses look fantastic. The club has recently renamed its Lounges after some Dons legends – it’s great that First Aberdeen is naming one of its buses – it will be seen by thousands every day and will help remind people what a tremendous club Aberdeen is. My money is on Sir Alex Ferguson or Willie Miller to win.”
David Adam, Operations Manager at First Aberdeen said: “Everyone in Aberdeen knows it’s been 30 years since Aberdeen FC beat Real Madrid to win the European Cup Winners’ Cup. It was a really proud moment, not only for the football club, but for the people of the city. Many of our customers would have been present to witness the historic victory, or watched it on television.
“Given the timing it seemed only fitting that we name on of our new buses after a Gothenburg Great.”
Customers and members of the public can vote from today (July 11). To take part log on to www.firstaberdeen.com, register some brief details and vote. The Aberdeen legend who receives the most public votes will have one of the brand new, state of the art Northern Lights buses named in their honour.
Customers and members of the public can vote for one of the following players that graced the turf on 11 May 1983: Jim Leighton, Doug Rougvie, John McMaster, Neal Cooper, Alex McLeish, Willie Miller, Gordon Strachan, Neil Simpson, Mark McGhee, Eric Black, Peter Weir, John Hewitt. People can also vote for the manager of the team, Sir Alex Ferguson.
First Aberdeen has invested £3.5million in 23 state of the art brand new buses. The buses, which are all fitted with leather seats and complementary wi-fi, began operating on Routes 17 and 18 on July 1. First has christened the routes ‘The Northern Lights 17 & 18’ with the buses sporting a unique ‘Northern Lights’ branding.