A potential victory for Aberdeen FC could lead to a grand city celebration and parade.
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Aberdeen FC is on the brink of a significant moment as they prepare to face Celtic in the Scottish Cup final on May 24 at Hampden Park, Glasgow. The stakes are high, and if the Dons emerge victorious, the city of Aberdeen is set to transform into a vibrant sea of red, with thousands of fans expected to flood the streets in celebration.
City council plans for a parade
The local council has already laid the groundwork for a potential victory celebration. In November 2023, plans were approved for a parade through the city center, contingent on the team winning the Viaplay Cup.
However, that dream was dashed when the Dons suffered a narrow defeat to Rangers. Now, with the Scottish Cup final approaching, the question remains: will the funds set aside for a celebration finally be put to use?
Committee convener Alex McLellan has suggested that if Aberdeen FC triumphs in the final, the city should honor the achievement with a parade. He stated, “It would be tradition that if Aberdeen Football Club were successful in the Scottish Cup final that we would want to celebrate that in an appropriate way.” To facilitate this, he proposed allocating £35,000 from the Common Good Fund for the festivities.
Concerns about the celebration location
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the potential celebration, some council members have raised concerns about the logistics of the event. Labour councillor M. Tauqeer Malik expressed his support for the proposal but questioned the feasibility of holding the celebration in the city center, which is currently undergoing significant construction work. “Usually Union Street would be ideal but it’s a complete mess,” he remarked, highlighting the challenges that could arise in organizing the event.
Nevertheless, Malik remains optimistic about the Dons’ chances and the possibility of a celebration in the Granite City. Meanwhile, fellow Dons supporter and councillor Dell Henrickson has opted not to wish the team luck, fearing that it might jinx their chances. He did, however, share his excitement about securing one of the 20,000 tickets allocated for the match.
A history of celebrations
If Aberdeen FC does secure the Scottish Cup, it would mark a return to a cherished tradition of celebrating football victories in the city. The last time the team enjoyed a city parade was in March 2014, following their Scottish League Cup win. An estimated 50,000 fans turned out to cheer for the Dons as they paraded the trophy through the streets in an open-top bus.
This celebration would not be the first of its kind; in 1983, the team celebrated their historic European Cup win against Real Madrid in a similar fashion, with fans lining the streets to support their heroes. Such moments are etched in the memory of the city and its football fans, and another victory could reignite that passion.
As the countdown to the Scottish Cup final continues, all eyes will be on Aberdeen FC, hoping for a triumphant return to the city streets.
