bobby clark testimonial tankard

21,000 supporters and admirers of goalkeeper Bobby Clark thronged into Pittodrie for his testimonial match on a baking hot Sunday afternoon. The game was something of a novelty at the time because testimonial games seldom happened, even though in the early years of Aberdeen FC they were an annual occurrence for loyal servants of the club. In that distant past the usual opposition came from our great Derby rivals Dundee, with Aberdeen returning the compliment at Dens Park from time to time. This time, though, Aberdeen's first team faced up to a formidable Former Dons XI and the popular Bobby was already playing his fifteenth season between the sticks for the Dons. This was exceptional service to one club by any standards and the response of the supporters emphasised the high regard in which he was held.

The teams were:

Aberdeen - Clark, Kennedy, McLelland, McMaster, Garner, Miller, Sullivan, Archibald, Harper, Jarvie Scanlon

Former Dons: McGarr, McGrain, Williamson, Scott, Young, Buchan, B. Miller, J. Miller, G. Buchan, Shirra, Robb

Subs - Glennie, Craig, Geoghegan, Taylor, Pirie, Graham

An entertaining match was decided by a single goal - from Bertie Miller, and at the end, Bobby made a speech from the pitch. His gift to the participating players was this impressive double handled pewter tankard, each one engraved with the player's name. One of these tankards, donated to the AFC Heritage Trust, is now in The Aberdeen Collection inscribed: The Bobby Clark Testimonial Match, 3rd September 1978, Drew Jarvie.