Aberdeen is being urged to go “All in Red” in the week leading up to the Dons’ Scottish Cup Final showdown with Celtic on Saturday, May 24.
The building excitement will include a special “Red and White Day” on the eve of the big game, when businesses, schools and community groups are being invited to dress up their buildings in the AFC colours to create a sea of colour to support Jimmy Thelin’s squad.
Already, Aberdeen City Council has agreed Marischal College will be lit up All In Red this week and Aberdeen Inspired will do the same with the iconic Aberdeen letters in Union Terrace Gardens and other city landmarks might follow suit.
All in Red Week will also see special events, including 1990 Dons legends coming together at the Music Hall.
“Team Aberdeen” – Aberdeen FC, Aberdeen Inspired, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce and Our Union Street - are coming together to help generate the party atmosphere in the run up to the all-important final day.
Adrian Watson, Angus the Bull, Dons legend Brian Irvine and his son outside the Music Hall as excitement builds for All in Red Week. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “The Dons have made it to their first Scottish Cup Final in eight years and you can feel the excitement building in the Granite City.
“We want to make sure that party atmosphere is enjoyed by everyone from die-hard Red Brigade stalwarts through to folk with a only a passing interest in football, so we are asking city centre shops and businesses, along with schools and community groups, to proudly display the Dons colours in their windows on Friday, May 23.
“Knowing the entire city is willing them on to victory could be the edge that Jimmy and the team need to bring that iconic Scottish Cup back to Pittodrie where it belongs.”
To help create the sought-after sea of colour, AFC are offering a 20% discount on their merchandise to businesses, schools and community groups, ready for scarves, shirts, posters, hats or anything else Dons-related to be displayed in windows and shop fronts.
Businesses, schools and community groups can register their interest in being part of the campaign here.
1990: The Legends Return will be held at the Music Hall on Thursday 22 May, reuniting Aberdeen FC’s iconic Scottish Cup-winning team. Image credit - Aberdeen FC
Alan Burrows, Chief Executive of Aberdeen FC added, “To sell out the tickets for the Scottish Cup Final in so little time is a huge credit to the supporters and testament to the strength of feeling and excitement that there is for the match.
“I am excited to see that all come together as the week goes on and would encourage as many people as possible to get involved as we look to paint the city red.”
Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said, “In a year of exciting events and festivals in Aberdeen we now have a collective opportunity to paint the town red in the week leading up to the Scottish Cup final. So please play your part. If you run a business in the city, get involved by dressing up your premises. If you work in an office anywhere in the region, encourage your colleagues to take part. If you are a punter, get into town on Thursday to attend the brilliant 1990 Legends event as well as watching the Europa League Final on Wednesday between two English teams with strong Dons connections.”
Wednesday, May 21, will see the UEFA Europa League Final with Manchester United taking on Totenham Hotspur. Aberdeen FC have many connections with both clubs, not least Sir Alex Ferguson, Gordon Strachan and Denis Law in the red corner.
Join the before and after party at The Stag on Crown Street on Thursday 22 May, with 90s tunes from local legend DJ Scott Cruickshank. Image credit - The Stag
On Thursday, May 22, The 1990 Legends Return event will be at the Music Hall. It will feature five AFC icons, who starred for the team that last won the Scottish Cup, beating Celtic on penalties in 1990. Captain Alex McLeish, match winning penalty taker Brian Irvine, crucial penalty saver Theo Snelders will join the legendary striking partnership of Charlie Nicholas and Hans Gillhaus, meeting up together in Aberdeen for the first time in 35 years to relive the big game and their time in the city.
The event will be hosted by super fan Ally Begg and discounted tickets are available using the code “AFC1990” when registering here.
And as an added bonus, The Stag on Crown Street will be playing music from the era before and after the event with another local 90’s legend, DJ Scott Cruickshank.
Adrian said: “Not to jinx anything, but wouldn’t it be fantastic if we were able to extend this special All in Red Week by one more day to include the Dons legends of 2025 touring the city centre in an open-top bus.
“We all have that hope in our hearts – now let’s see the whole of Aberdeen cheer the Dons on as they try to make the city’s dream come true.”