One step beyond, A classic by ska band madness blasted around an empty Pittodrie stadium as Karí Anderson equalised against St. Johnstone. A typical 35 yard strike from the Icelandic midfielder sent 4,000 red fans into raptures. With 11 games to go, and 9 points off the bottom. My local club was definitely on the decline right before my bright blue eyes. After the goal, there was a deafening silence for the next 27 minutes of the match. The passion of Aberdeen fans had gradually been drained out since the Mark McGhee days, and that was only 4 or 5 years ago. The poor footballing standards and average results have turned the red's faithful away from their beloved club. A team with a huge history crumbling before our eyes. In my opinion, the players are being managed poorly. After all, I see them being trained every day while i take the under 16's in the youth set up. Craig Brown is far to old to still be coaching, and frankly he isn't a good coach either, he doesn't have a clue, I'd be better off being the coach.
It was my turn to be in the Pittodrie dug out the day after in a Scottish Cup semi-final match against Celtic. Who obviously where the favourites to win the tournament. With Craig Brown in the stands, I wanted to show him how to coach a team. The game kicked off, The first 25 minutes was very even, Both teams trying to retain possession for as long as possible, I looked up to the stands and seen Craig Brown next to the club chairman who had came to spur on the lads, He gave me a quick wave, But i had other things to worry about, Jack Kirwan gave Celtic the lead with a wonder goal. Our boys failed to convert a corner, the clearance landed to the 16 year old and he just kept running before lobbing the ball over the head of our keeper. A fantastic solo effort, I applauded along with everyone else. Half time it was 1-0 to 'The hoops.'
We returned out into the second half in high spirits, a good first half performance encouraged us and we thought a final place was in sights. 200 miles away at Hampden. I told the lads to have as many shots on goal as possible. It paid off as we scored 2 long range goals in the space of 12 minutes in the second half. A 1000 strong crowd cheering on the clubs new hot prospects. Celtic failed to convert any of the chances they created in the second half, despite having many opportunities to. We stuck to the task well playing some decent football, and a some disciplined defending made sure we were in the final of the Scottish Cup. The lads went wild, I went wild. It's a shame we couldn't get steaming as they all had school the next morning. I sent the lads on their way after congratulating them and I stayed behind in the dressing room to clean up the ridiculous mess from the celebrations. Mr Brown entered,
"congratulations son, your team really deserved that out there today"
"Thanks Craig, the lads were really great. I'm so proud of them"
"I better be off, I have a meeting with the chairman in 2 minutes, See you later son, and good luck in the final"
Mr Brown left, I just got back to cleaning, not thinking about that encounter I just had with a man I've never respected. A sudden bang interrupted my efforts to clean the place. I opened the changing room door and there he was. Mr Brown lying on the floor unconscious, "Craig !" I shouted, "Can you hear me?", There was no reply. A huge gaping wound on the top of his bald head made me feel queasy, as if i'd be next lying spread across the floor. Fast footsteps approached from behind. It was the chairman, He checked Mr Brown's pulse, sighed and condemned "He's dead" I didn't know how to react. I had never seen a dead man before, and i had no feelings for his departure from earth. I called an ambulance, but it was too late. "Go home Thomas, But be in my office at 9am Friday morning"
What could this be for I thought to myself, It wasn't my fault Mr. Brown had died, He was just old, his time had come. I went home and Sky Sports News was the first thing that crossed my mind. The beautiful Georgie Thompson, Beside some ugly bloke with an annoying laugh had confirmed the news once and for all. He was dead, I had no care in the world though, He had ruined my club. Then something very unexpected happened. As I was about to switch the TV off, Georgie then announced "A source from deep inside the club has hinted that youth team manager is due for a meeting with Chairman Steve Milne to discuss the possibility of the inexperienced 33 year old taking over til the end of the season. Aberdeen are currently ninth place in the SPL and with 11 games to go there is every chance that the club could still go down. We'll have more on the story in the coming days"
Was this a joke? As flattered as I was, I would never get the chance to take over the club. I had no experience in professional management. But then, Why would the chairman want me, Was i going to be the next manager of my boyhood hero's. My thoughts entered another universe considering the possibilities of why Stevie wanted me to go down. I looked out a decent suit in preparation. I could barely sleep at the thought. I was really excited about the prospect of being the next Aberdeen manager, But was all the excitement for nothing ? ...
It was my turn to be in the Pittodrie dug out the day after in a Scottish Cup semi-final match against Celtic. Who obviously where the favourites to win the tournament. With Craig Brown in the stands, I wanted to show him how to coach a team. The game kicked off, The first 25 minutes was very even, Both teams trying to retain possession for as long as possible, I looked up to the stands and seen Craig Brown next to the club chairman who had came to spur on the lads, He gave me a quick wave, But i had other things to worry about, Jack Kirwan gave Celtic the lead with a wonder goal. Our boys failed to convert a corner, the clearance landed to the 16 year old and he just kept running before lobbing the ball over the head of our keeper. A fantastic solo effort, I applauded along with everyone else. Half time it was 1-0 to 'The hoops.'
We returned out into the second half in high spirits, a good first half performance encouraged us and we thought a final place was in sights. 200 miles away at Hampden. I told the lads to have as many shots on goal as possible. It paid off as we scored 2 long range goals in the space of 12 minutes in the second half. A 1000 strong crowd cheering on the clubs new hot prospects. Celtic failed to convert any of the chances they created in the second half, despite having many opportunities to. We stuck to the task well playing some decent football, and a some disciplined defending made sure we were in the final of the Scottish Cup. The lads went wild, I went wild. It's a shame we couldn't get steaming as they all had school the next morning. I sent the lads on their way after congratulating them and I stayed behind in the dressing room to clean up the ridiculous mess from the celebrations. Mr Brown entered,
"congratulations son, your team really deserved that out there today"
"Thanks Craig, the lads were really great. I'm so proud of them"
"I better be off, I have a meeting with the chairman in 2 minutes, See you later son, and good luck in the final"
Mr Brown left, I just got back to cleaning, not thinking about that encounter I just had with a man I've never respected. A sudden bang interrupted my efforts to clean the place. I opened the changing room door and there he was. Mr Brown lying on the floor unconscious, "Craig !" I shouted, "Can you hear me?", There was no reply. A huge gaping wound on the top of his bald head made me feel queasy, as if i'd be next lying spread across the floor. Fast footsteps approached from behind. It was the chairman, He checked Mr Brown's pulse, sighed and condemned "He's dead" I didn't know how to react. I had never seen a dead man before, and i had no feelings for his departure from earth. I called an ambulance, but it was too late. "Go home Thomas, But be in my office at 9am Friday morning"
What could this be for I thought to myself, It wasn't my fault Mr. Brown had died, He was just old, his time had come. I went home and Sky Sports News was the first thing that crossed my mind. The beautiful Georgie Thompson, Beside some ugly bloke with an annoying laugh had confirmed the news once and for all. He was dead, I had no care in the world though, He had ruined my club. Then something very unexpected happened. As I was about to switch the TV off, Georgie then announced "A source from deep inside the club has hinted that youth team manager is due for a meeting with Chairman Steve Milne to discuss the possibility of the inexperienced 33 year old taking over til the end of the season. Aberdeen are currently ninth place in the SPL and with 11 games to go there is every chance that the club could still go down. We'll have more on the story in the coming days"
Was this a joke? As flattered as I was, I would never get the chance to take over the club. I had no experience in professional management. But then, Why would the chairman want me, Was i going to be the next manager of my boyhood hero's. My thoughts entered another universe considering the possibilities of why Stevie wanted me to go down. I looked out a decent suit in preparation. I could barely sleep at the thought. I was really excited about the prospect of being the next Aberdeen manager, But was all the excitement for nothing ? ...