Sport in Aberdeen
Encyclopedia
Sport in Aberdeen
, Scotland
is a major affair with Aberdeen being home to Commonwealth Games
swimmers and Aberdeen Football Club
, but there are also other senior teams, notably Cove Rangers F.C.
. There was also a historic senior team Bon Accord F.C.
who no longer play.
Local junior teams include Banks O' Dee F.C.
, Culter F.C.
, F.C. Stoneywood, Glentanar F.C.
and Hermes F.C.
.
Aberdeen also hosts the Aberdeen International Football Festival
as part of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival
at Seaton Park with the finals held at the Chris Anderson Stadium.
was founded in 1903. Its major success was winning the European Cup Winners Cup in 1983 and three Scottish Premier League
Championships between 1980 and 1986, under the current Manchester United F.C.
manager Alex Ferguson
. The club's stadium is Pittodrie which was Britain's first all-seater stadium.
Aberdeen F.C. holds the distinction of being the last team to have won the Scottish Premier League
Championship outside the Old Firm
and is the only Scottish team to have won two European trophies adding to their European Cup Winners Cup success by winning the European Super Cup
, also in 1983. Well known footballers who have played for the club include Gordon Strachan
, Alex McLeish
and club legend Willie Miller
. Denis Law
, the joint top scorer for the Scotland national team was also born in the city, but spent his professional career playing for English and Italian clubs.
Hazlehead Park
is most famous for its two 18 hole and its pitch and putt golf courses. The courses are public owned and there are no handicap or other restrictions for those who play on them. They are excellent by public owned course standards but obviously due to their nature as public courses they are not the best around.
The No. 1 course was designed by Alistair MacKenzie
, better known for designing the Augusta National and with significant private investment and upgrade of facilities, the course would be considered one of the best in the world due to its excellent design.
at the city boundaries are lucky enough to be home to a number of famous private courses, these include:
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
was founded in 1780 and used to play on the Queen's Links before moving to a new links at Balgownie, north of the River Don, in 1888. The club hosted the Senior British Open in 2005. The club also has a second course.
.
was founded in 2007. The club initially attracted a range of experienced Scandinavian and other European players who were studying in Aberdeen. Since their formation, Aberdeen Oilers have played in the British Flooorball Northern League and went on to win the league in the 2008/09 season. The club played a major role in setting up a ladies league in Scotland. The Oiler's ladies team ended up 2nd in the first ladies league season (2008/09).
trains in the Granite City boxing club. There is also St Mary's Boxing Club, Kincorth Boxing Club and Kingswells Boxing Club.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
is a major affair with Aberdeen being home to Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
swimmers and Aberdeen Football Club
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
Football
Aberdeen's largest football club is Aberdeen Football ClubAberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
, but there are also other senior teams, notably Cove Rangers F.C.
Cove Rangers F.C.
Cove Rangers are a senior Scottish football club currently playing in the Press & Journal Highland Football League. They are based in Cove Bay, a suburb of Aberdeen and play their football at Allan Park.The current managers are Kevin Tindal and Colin Milne....
. There was also a historic senior team Bon Accord F.C.
Bon Accord F.C.
Bon Accord were a football team from Aberdeen, Scotland who suffered the worst defeat in any British senior football match, losing 36–0 to Arbroath on 12 September 1885 in a first round match of the Scottish Cup...
who no longer play.
Local junior teams include Banks O' Dee F.C.
Banks O' Dee F.C.
Banks O' Dee F.C. are a Scottish football club from the city of Aberdeen. Members of the Scottish Junior Football Association, they currently play in the SJFA North Superleague. Their home ground is Spain Park, by the banks of the River Dee. In 2009, Banks O' Dee were among four clubs to apply for...
, Culter F.C.
Culter F.C.
Culter F.C. are a Scottish football club from the village of Peterculter near Aberdeen. Members of the Scottish Junior Football Association, they currently play in the SJFA North Superleague...
, F.C. Stoneywood, Glentanar F.C.
Glentanar F.C.
Glentanar F.C. are a Scottish football club based in Woodside, an area of the city of Aberdeen. Members of the Scottish Junior Football Association since 1998, they currently play in the SJFA North Division One. The club are based at Woodside Sports Complex and their colours are all white.They also...
and Hermes F.C.
Hermes F.C.
Hermes F.C. are a Scottish football club from Bridge of Don, an area of the city of Aberdeen. Members of the Scottish Junior Football Association since 1993, they currently play in the SJFA North Superleague...
.
Aberdeen also hosts the Aberdeen International Football Festival
Aberdeen International Football Festival
The Aberdeen International Football Festival is a football festival in Aberdeen, Scotland. The festival was launched in 1981. Over the years, the festival has become something of an institution in the city's calendar, bringing together, as it does, young people from a host of other countries, far...
as part of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival
Aberdeen International Youth Festival
Aberdeen International Youth Festival is a leading Festival of Youth Arts, and one of Scotland's major international cultural events.Every year Aberdeen International Youth Festival attracts over 1000 of the most talented young people in performing arts companies and music groups from across the...
at Seaton Park with the finals held at the Chris Anderson Stadium.
Aberdeen FC
Aberdeen Football ClubAberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
was founded in 1903. Its major success was winning the European Cup Winners Cup in 1983 and three Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
Championships between 1980 and 1986, under the current Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
manager Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
. The club's stadium is Pittodrie which was Britain's first all-seater stadium.
Aberdeen F.C. holds the distinction of being the last team to have won the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
Championship outside the Old Firm
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
and is the only Scottish team to have won two European trophies adding to their European Cup Winners Cup success by winning the European Super Cup
European Super Cup
The UEFA Super Cup is an annual football game between the reigning champions of the two cup competitions organized by UEFA: the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League...
, also in 1983. Well known footballers who have played for the club include Gordon Strachan
Gordon Strachan
Gordon David Strachan OBE is a Scottish football manager and former player. He is currently without a club, having last managed Middlesbrough. Strachan played for Dundee, Aberdeen, Manchester United, Leeds United and Coventry City, as well as the Scotland national team. Prior to Middlesbrough,...
, Alex McLeish
Alex McLeish
Alexander "Alex" McLeish , is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager, who is currently managing English Premier League club Aston Villa...
and club legend Willie Miller
Willie Miller
William Ferguson Miller, MBE is a former professional football player who made a club record 558 league appearances for Aberdeen. He is currently the club's Director of Football...
. Denis Law
Denis Law
Denis Law is a retired Scottish football player, who enjoyed a long and successful career as a striker from the 1950s to the 1970s....
, the joint top scorer for the Scotland national team was also born in the city, but spent his professional career playing for English and Italian clubs.
Public
Aberdeen is lucky to have a number of public golf courses including:- Auchmill
- Balnagask
- Hazlehead
- King's Links.
Hazlehead Park
Hazlehead Park
Hazlehead Park is a large public park in the Hazlehead area of Aberdeen, Scotland. 180 hectares in size, it was opened to the public in 1920, having formerly been the estate of Hazlehead House, home of William Rose, shipbuilder....
is most famous for its two 18 hole and its pitch and putt golf courses. The courses are public owned and there are no handicap or other restrictions for those who play on them. They are excellent by public owned course standards but obviously due to their nature as public courses they are not the best around.
The No. 1 course was designed by Alistair MacKenzie
Alister MacKenzie
Dr. Alister MacKenzie was an internationally renowned, British golf course architect whose course designs, on three different continents, are consistently ranked among the finest golf courses in the world...
, better known for designing the Augusta National and with significant private investment and upgrade of facilities, the course would be considered one of the best in the world due to its excellent design.
Private Courses
Aberdeen and the immediate areas of AberdeenshireAberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...
at the city boundaries are lucky enough to be home to a number of famous private courses, these include:
- Cruden Bay
- Deeside Golf Club
- Murcar Links
- Newmachar
- Royal AberdeenRoyal Aberdeen Golf ClubRoyal Aberdeen Golf Club in Aberdeen, Scotland, was founded in 1780 and claims to be the sixth oldest golf club in the world. It was founded as the Society of Golfers at Aberdeen, and became the Aberdeen Golf Club in 1815....
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club in Aberdeen, Scotland, was founded in 1780 and claims to be the sixth oldest golf club in the world. It was founded as the Society of Golfers at Aberdeen, and became the Aberdeen Golf Club in 1815....
was founded in 1780 and used to play on the Queen's Links before moving to a new links at Balgownie, north of the River Don, in 1888. The club hosted the Senior British Open in 2005. The club also has a second course.
Swimming
Aberdeen also has a strong swimming team. Based at Northfield Pool, the City of Aberdeen Swim Team (COAST) have been running since 1996. The team comprises several smaller swimming clubs, and has enjoyed success on all levels from North District to international. Three of the team's swimmers have qualified for the Commonwealth GamesCommonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
.
Floorball
Aberdeen Oilers Floorball ClubAberdeen Oilers Floorball Club
Aberdeen Oilers is a floorball club based in Aberdeen, Scotland.-History:Aberdeen Oilers were officially founded in January 2007 and became the most northern floorball club in Britain...
was founded in 2007. The club initially attracted a range of experienced Scandinavian and other European players who were studying in Aberdeen. Since their formation, Aberdeen Oilers have played in the British Flooorball Northern League and went on to win the league in the 2008/09 season. The club played a major role in setting up a ladies league in Scotland. The Oiler's ladies team ended up 2nd in the first ladies league season (2008/09).
Other sports
The Chris Anderson Stadium in Linksfield has a running track and is used for athletics, hockey and football. It also has numerous boxing gyms where the WBU lightweight champion of the world, Lee McAllisterLee McAllister
"The Aberdeen Assassin" Lee McAllister is a professional boxer who currently holds the Commonwealth light-welterweight championship and the IBO International light-welterweight title...
trains in the Granite City boxing club. There is also St Mary's Boxing Club, Kincorth Boxing Club and Kingswells Boxing Club.