For more than a century Aberdeen followers have given their devoted support to generations of players through good times and bad. Pittodrie Idols studies the cult figures in the rich history of Aberdeen FC, examining why 20 of the club’s most loved stars were elevated to hero status. Some were entertainers, others were destroyers. Some stood out physically, others had personality which lit up every ground.

From the bullish pre-war figure of Jock Hutton, a man who could lift team-mates with his teeth, to the swashbuckling style of Graeme Leggat, Zoltan Varga and Charlie Cooke and beyond to the honest charms of Doug Rougvie, Lee Richardson and Williem van der Ark as well as the long-lasting appeal of Willie Miller, tragedy of Hicham Zerouali, quirks of Ebbe Skovdahl and triumphs of Duncan Shearer and Brian Irvine, Pittodrie Idols tells the irreverent, intriguing and at times poignant story of Aberdeen’s cult heroes through interviews as well as insights from esteemed media figures and supporters who helped transform players into idols.

Paul Smith has worked as a journalist in Scotland for 13 years, covering news and sport for a variety of publications. He served his apprenticeship with DC Thomson, working on the Dundee Courier and Sunday Post, before becoming editor of the Inverurie Herald. He joined the sports desk team at the Aberdeen Press and Journal in 2001 and spent eight years in that department before being appointed head of photographic in 2009. He covered his first Dons game as a reporter in 1996, having first attended Pittodrie during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign, and is the son of former Aberdeen, Rangers and Scotland player Dave Smith. As an author his previous titles include The Legends of Aberdeen and Gothenburg Glory. Paul lives in Aberdeenshire with his wife Coral and children Finlay and Mia.

More about the author

Paul Smith