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Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Scottish Cup success and European riches can propel Jimmy Thelin's Aberdeen to the next level
YOU may not be able to put a price on a winning feeling, but the financial benefit of success in football has never been easier to discern. As Aberdeen's open top bus weaved its way through an estimated 100,000 people in the Granite City on Sunday, no one associated with the club was minded doing anything other than drink in the moment. After a 35-year wait to see the Scottish Cup paraded along Union Street, and 11 years on from winning the League Cup, this was all about the sheer glory. Once the dust settles - and that may take some time - chairman Dave Cormack and chief executive Alan Burrows will plot the next chapter having already run some impressive numbers in their minds. Saturday's victory for the Dons wasn't just a blow for Celtic supporters who turned up anticipating seeing the third leg of a sixth treble in nine years knocked off. The unexpected outcome also adversely affected Hibs and Dundee United. David Gray's side were bumped down from the Europa League play-off to the second qualifying round. Despite finishing one place above the Dons in the Premiership in fourth spot, United are now bound for the second qualifying round of the Conference League rather than the Europa. Not only will the European campaigns at Easter Road and Tannadice now start in late July, both teams have several hurdles to clear to be assured of group stage football until Christmas. Aberdeen no longer have to concern themselves with that. Now set to enter the Europa League at the play-off round, Jimmy Thelin's side are in enviable win/win territory. While their likely non-seeding will be a disadvantage, a kind draw against, say, the likes of Belgian side Genk, would give them a decent opportunity of going through. That gets you £3.6m without kicking a ball on top of the £252,000 for participating in the play-off. You're then guaranteed eight matches in the mono-group with the four home games almost certain to be sell-outs. At last check, the prize money for a win was £379,201 with £126,400 for a draw. Although it's evidently performance related, the Pittodrie coffers would be swollen by anything north of £6m. Were Thelin's men to lose the play-off and drop into the Conference League, the financial rewards would be less yet still considerable. There's an automatic £2.6m cheque in the post just for turning up in the group stage on top of the play-off cash. Then it's £337,067 a win and £112,075 a draw. The fact there are only six matches in the lesser competition means there's less scope for accruing prize money through ticket sales and hospitality. Nonetheless, with three home games, Aberdeen would still expect to be at least £5m better off for their trouble. In Scottish football's restricted financial environment, that's a lot of guaranteed income. The feel-good factor emanating from Saturday's historic win will also translate into more pounds and pence. After securing Thelin last summer, the Dons broke through the 10,000-mark for season ticket sales for the first time in their history. Before they'd even set foot in Hampden, the number for next season was already above 11,000. The sold-out signs were a regular feature of home matches as the Swede took the Premiership by storm last August. That would seem certain to continue on the back of the incredible scenes witnessed across the weekend. The club's marketing department also have an open goal to cash-in on the storied triumph. The till in the club shop should me merrily ringing as commemorative tee-shirts, flags, scarves and mugs are snapped up until hostilities resume. Spending all this welcome money is not the concern. It's spending it wisely. Although Aberdeen have backed Thelin in successive transfer windows, the squad needs strengthening. Jack MacKenzie is out of contract and is set to sign for League One Plymouth. Jamie McGrath is off to Hibs. Back-up keeper Ross Doohan is rejoining Celtic. Jeppe Okkels, top-scorer Kevin Nisbet and Alfie Dorrington and are due to return to Preston, Millwall and Tottenham, respectively, now their loan deals have expired. Each would command prohibitive transfer fees meaning a further loan deal is the most likely means of each player returning. Oday Dabbagh is set to go back to Charleroi although Aberdeen have secured an option to buy. Thelin will have Gavin Molloy, Sivert Heltne Nilsen and Ester Sokler back from injury at the start of pre-season. He'll also have to make a call on whether Slobodan Rubezic has any future at the club after his loan spell at Novi Pazar. Although Saturday's victory means the club has more time to weigh up such matters, it's hard to overstate the importance of the squad being properly equipped for what lies ahead. Two years ago, having stormed up the Premiership table to finish third, Barry Robson found European football to be as much a curse as a blessing. The Dons had eight European matches that season. They won just one of the bread-and-butter league games which came immediately after them, drawing only twice. With the club unable to make the top six, Robson paid with his job. It was the same story at Tynecastle in the season just gone. Hearts also had eight European matches. Their record in league games immediately following them? Won one, drew two, lost five. Both Steven Naismith and Neil Critchley will tell you what happened next. While Hibs and United might have similar concerns to deal with, St Mirren and Hearts, to name but two likely top six contenders, will not. Notwithstanding his side's arduous schedule, Thelin will be expected to challenge for third place. To do so, he'll need a larger squad filled with players who can cope with the mental challenge of playing Thursday-Sunday. Nicolas Milanovic, who's joining from Western Sydney Wanderers, needs to be just the first piece in the jigsaw. Although assembling it will be a challenge for all concerned, these are the kind of problems everyone in the game wants to have on their plates. It helps Thelin no end, of course, that he now has a major honour to fall back on. It was the steady improvement he oversaw at Elfsborg across six years that first caught Aberdeen's eye and ensured the backing of the fanbase never really wavered when he endured a 12-game winless run. Having come painfully close to winning the title in his homeland, he finally got on the winner's podium in his adopted home on Saturday. As the red half of Hampden will forever testify, there are some feelings which money cannot buy.
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Hampden scenes and homecoming parade make Scottish Cup glory worth the wait'
From Albyn Place, down Union Street to the townhouse, thousands of Aberdeen fans erupted in joy as the Scottish Cup glistened in the late spring sunshine in the Granite City. The streets were a sea of red and Dons' squad, led by manager Jimmy Thelin and captain Graeme Shinnie shrugged off their late night to parade the silverware which had been won less than 24 hours what a triumph it had been, against all the odds had been whispers during the week that Thelin was going to switch his tactics after suffering at the hands of Celtic in recent clashes with the champions. He needed something different and it paid spectacular vanquishing of more than three decades of pain in the Scottish Cup was over. Stenhousemuir, Queen of the South, Darvel. The Dons' fans had their fair share of horror stories to tell along the way which probably made this victory all the fact chairman Dave Cormack compared it to the feeling of winning the Cup-Winners' Cup in 1983, on the club's greatest day, tells you all you need to know about how important it they looked assured with Alfie Dorrington, Mats Knoester and the impressive academy graduate Jack Milne standing up to everything Celtic threw at headline-maker was Dimitar Mitov, the Bulgarian replicating the great Theo Snelders all those years and decades ago, first saving when one-on-one with Daizen Maeda before keeping Callum McGregor and Alastair Johnston out in the subs also made the sort of impact they were making in the early part of the season, particularly Shayden Morris, Pape Gueye and Dante ultimate prize is of course the fact the Scottish Cup has returned to Pittodrie, which was its second home during the 1980s, but it also saw Aberdeen gazump Hibernian for the European spoils of guaranteed continental competition until December with a stab at the Europa League to come first. The bank balance will get a big boost as a result of fans have had their fair share of disappointments down the years, but the scenes at Hampden and then back home the day after will have made it worth the wait.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Thelin blown away by Aberdeen support as Dons fans turn out in their thousands to paint the town red in wake of Scottish Cup final triumph
Jimmy Thelin admitted he was taken aback by the sheer amount of Aberdeen fans who cheered the open-top bus tour of the city following the club's stunning Scottish Cup final win over Celtic. There were over 20,000 Dons fans inside Hampden to see their side win a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes. It was Aberdeen's first Scottish Cup win in 35 years and it also guaranteed European group stage football next season, and thousands lined the streets of the Granite City yesterday to see them parade the trophy. Thelin, in his first season as Pittodrie boss, said: 'It's been actually a bit unbelievable. It's much bigger than I thought. 'We talk about why we do it, and it's for them to enjoy and be proud of the city and all people around Aberdeen and who belong to Aberdeen Football Club. 'It's been an amazing two days and it's going to take a while to let it sink in and get all the feelings and just to summarise everything that's happened. It's an amazing time. 'We are here to do everything we can do to put a smile on the faces and travelling around the city on the bus was actually unbelievable, how many people were here. 'I didn't expect that, so it's incredible. We have to enjoy this now.' Dons chief executive Alan Burrows described the cup-winning weekend and subsequent scenes of celebration as an 'emotional' experience. He said: 'You just see from the scenes today the amount of people that's been out in the city. It's a fantastic achievement for the players to be able to go and do that. 'I don't think many people gave us a chance but I think you see from the crowds and the joy that it's brought, just what this club's got and the potential that it's got to unlock. 'So a really emotional time for everybody, but a really enjoyable time and one we are going to savour before we look to the hard job of next season and beyond.' Dons defender Mats Knoester claimed that lifting the Scottish Cup with Aberdeen was an even bigger achievement than winning the league title in Hungary. The Dutchman joined from Ferencvaros in January, having won the Hungarian top division two years ago. However, after completing his own career double by being part of Thelin's victorious team at Hampden, the 26-year-old felt Saturday's victory on penalties was the pinnacle of his career. 'This one is the best by far. 100 per cent,' said Knoester. 'It's better than winning the league because it means more. 'At Ferencvaros, you have to win every year but here you can see it has been so long. It's more emotional. 'It's hard to put into words. I think you should just look around you and take it all in. It's a lot to describe what has happened.' The Dutchman was the most relieved man inside Hampden as Dimitar Mitov dived to his right to keep out Alistair Johnston's spot-kick to spark wild scenes of jubilation on the red side of the stadium. 'I was the last one,' he revealed. 'I was ready but Dimi saved it, so it was all good. Of course, I gave him the biggest hug afterwards. 'My penalties were good in the practice, so I had confidence, but it's nicer if you can finish it earlier. The earlier the better.'
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tears, cheers & beers as 100,000 Aberdeen fans greet heroes
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin called it all "a little bit surrealistic". Captain Graeme Shinnie spoke with glistening eyes about taking an open-topped bus down a heaving street where he used to shop as a child. And chairman Dave Cormack wondered whether he might have been "swinging off the chandeliers" in celebration had it happened a few years before now. But perhaps Scottish Cup final game-changer Shayden Morris encapsulated a remarkable afternoon in the Granite City most succinctly. "This is just unreal man," the Englishman said, awestruck at the sight of close to 100,000 Aberdeen fans engulfing the city's streets to welcome home their Hampden heroes. Morris reckons it was "the best day of our lives" and few of his team-mates would disagree, judging by the smiles on their bleary faces as they hung off the slow-moving bus and cavorted on the Town House balcony. A "couple of the boys are hanging", confirmed midfielder Dante Polvara when asked about the riotous celebrations both on the road back north from Glasgow and when Aberdeen party arrived home. Captain Shinnie's crackly voice hinted it had been a big one. He reckoned he might have got "a couple of hours sleep". As a local boy, he already understood what the likes of Morris and Polvara have learned this weekend, but even the Aberdonian was taken aback by what he experienced on Sunday. 'Aberdeen savour the most perfect game ever played' Shinnie 'could retire today and be a happy man' Aberdeen end 35-year Scottish Cup wait after stunning Celtic in shootout "I always knew that this was possible if you won a trophy for this club," the 33-year-old said of the city centre scenes. "But I didn't expect it to be as good as what it is. "This is what I was always desperate to do. It's phenomenal. You've shared it with your team-mates but now you're sharing it with the city. "There are close to 100,000 fans and you can see what it means to all of them. It's a very special weekend." Cormack has been part of crowds hailing Aberdeen trophy successes in the 1980s, so also had an inkling about what Sunday's celebrations would hold. "This is very special," he said. "It's supposed to be raining today and the sun has come out as well. Maybe if I was 40 I might have been swinging off the chandeliers." The chairman also paid tribute to Thelin, whose debut season at the club has been one of the most polarised that anyone could have imagined. Cormack insisted the Swede is at Pittodrie for the long term and is "not a job-hopper", should his success attract interest from elsewhere. Certainly, days like this should help convince Thelin to stay where he is. "It's been unbelievable. Much, much bigger than I thought," he said, looking every inch his a man who had enjoyed his evening. "You imagine what's going to happen but it was much, much bigger than that. It was actually a little bit surrealistic. "I'm so happy for all these people and all the effort they have given us the whole season, travelling and the tough times. They have been there every time and now they can celebrate together." When Aberdeen last won the Scottish Cup in 1990, I was on a bus embarking on a school trip to Germany, listening to it all unfold on my pocket radio. So being at the celebrations really hammered home how long – too long – it has been since the club last won this trophy, and what it means to the city. The Dons fans lined the streets in their thousands - well into the tens of thousands, in fact - as the open-top bus weaved its way through the city centre. They were in fine voice too, with 'Shinnie, he is one of our own' and the now trademark 'Shady Mo' song being among the choruses belted out as the bus crawled through the throng that filled the granite streets. Prior to the final, there was a mood of trepidation, and very little expectation among the Red Army. What a difference a day can make – this was a scene of jubilation and celebration. It was a fitting reception for the Aberdeen players and staff, who now have their names etched in to the club's history books. As they took it in turns to hold the trophy aloft from the balcony at the Town House at the Castlegate end of Union Street, each lift was greeted with delirious joy. Of course, the challenge will be to build on this success. But this was about savouring the moment, one which saw a city and its football team united as one. Fans lined the streets to see the bus go down Union Street, along Union Terrace and Schoolhill before making its way onto Broad Street. Chris Nicholl, 30, who was at the game, said the experience was "amazing". "It was 35 years of emotion held in for my dad," he said. His wife Leah, 30, added: "He didn't even cry for our wedding!" The win was especially sweet for a father and son who travelled from Australia to support Aberdeen. Allan McCarlie, 51, and his 18-year-old son Jamie flew more than 10,000 miles (16,000km) from Sydney for the match on Saturday. They admitted beforehand people thought they were making a pointless long journey as Celtic were heavy favourites. "I was told I was mad," Allan said afterwards. "Spending so much money to travel from Sydney. "But [now] I am the richest man in the world - priceless memories."
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Tears, cheers & beers as 100,000 Aberdeen fans greet heroes
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin called it all "a little bit surrealistic".Captain Graeme Shinnie spoke with glistening eyes about taking an open-topped bus down a heaving street where he used to shop as a child. And chairman Dave Cormack wondered whether he might have been "swinging off the chandeliers" in celebration had it happened a few years before now. But perhaps Scottish Cup final game-changer Shayden Morris encapsulated a remarkable afternoon in the Granite City most succinctly. "This is just unreal man," the Englishman said, awestruck at the sight of close to 100,000 Aberdeen fans engulfing the city's streets to welcome home their Hampden reckons it was "the best day of our lives" and few of his team-mates would disagree, judging by the smiles on their bleary faces as they hung off the slow-moving bus and cavorted on the Town House balcony.A "couple of the boys are hanging" confirmed midfielder Dante Polvara when asked about the riotous celebrations both on the road back north from Glasgow and when Aberdeen party arrived Shinnie's crackly voice hinted it had been a big one. He reckoned he might have got " a couple of hours sleep".As a local boy, he already understood what the likes of Morris and Polvara have learned this weekend, but even the Aberdonian was taken aback by what he experienced on Sunday. "I always knew that this was possible if you won a trophy for this club," the 33-year-old said of the city centre scenes. "But I didn't expect it to be as good as what it is. "This is what I was always desperate to do. It's phenomenal. You've shared it with your team-mates but now you're sharing it with the city. "There are close to 100,000 fans and you can see what it means to all of them. It's a very special weekend."Cormack has been part of crowds hailing Aberdeen trophy successes in the 1980s, so also had an inkling about what Sunday's celebrations would hold."This is very special," he said. "It's supposed to be raining today and the sun has come out as well. Maybe if I was 40 I might have been swinging off the chandeliers."The chairman also paid tribute to manager Jimmy Thelin, whose debut season at the club has been one of the most polarised that anyone could have insisted the Swede is at Pittodrie for the long-term and is "not a job-hopper", should his success attract interest from days like this should help convince Thelin to stay where he is."It's been unbelievable. Much, much bigger than I thought," he said, looking every inch his a man who had enjoyed his evening. "You imagine what's going to happen but it was much, much bigger than that. It was actually a little bit surrealistic. "I'm so happy for all these people and all the effort they have given us the whole season, travelling and the tough times. They have been there every time and now they can celebrate together." Jubilation lights up granite streets When Aberdeen last won the Scottish Cup in 1990, I was on a bus embarking on a school trip to Germany, listening to it all unfold on my pocket being at the celebrations really hammered home how long – too long – it has been since the club last won this trophy, and what it means to the Dons fans lined the streets in their thousands - well into the tens of thousands, in fact - as the open-topped bus weaved its way through the city were in fine voice too, with 'Shinnie, he is one of our own' and the now trademark 'Shady Mo' song being among the choruses belted out as the bus crawled through the throng which filled the granite to the final, there was a mood of trepidation, and very little expectation among the Red a difference a day can make – this was a scene of jubilation and was a fitting reception for the Aberdeen players and staff, who now have their names etched in to the club's history they took it in turns to hold the trophy aloft from the balcony at the Town House at the Castlegate end of Union Street, each lift was greeted with delirious course, the challenge will be to build on this this was about savouring the moment, one which saw a city and its football team united as one. 'Thirty-five years of emotion unleashed' Fans lined the streets to see the bus go down Union Street, along Union Terrace and Schoolhill before making its way onto Broad Nicholl, 30, who was at the game, said the experience was "amazing"."It was 35 years of emotion held in for my dad," he wife Leah, 30, added: "He didn't even cry for our wedding!"The win was especially sweet for a father and son who travelled from Australia to support McCarlie, 51, and his 18-year-old son Jamie flew more than 10,000 miles (16,000km) from Sydney for the match on admitted beforehand people thought they were making a pointless long journey as Celtic were heavy favourites."I was told I was mad," Allan said afterwards. "Spending so much money to travel from Sydney. "But [now] I am the richest man in the world - priceless memories."
