| match report |
1972-73 fixture list |
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| North American Summer Tour |
31/05/1972
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Toronto Metros |
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0 - 0 |
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Aberdeen |
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| Kick Off:
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| Attendance: 6,024
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| Venue: Varsity Stadium, Toronto |
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 Aberdeen's eighth game of the North American tour had the Dons returning to Canada for the second time after visiting Vancouver earlier. This time the opponents were the recently founded Toronto Metros.
Much of the pregame discussion was focused on the perceived gulf in the quality of players on each team. Drew Jarvie and Barrie Mitchell had recently signed for a combined $250,000 (Canadian) which the local newspapers declared would fund the Metros' entire wages for seven years! Coincidentally, the $250,000 figure was the same amount that a 50 per cent stake in the club would cost when the Toronto Croatians bought out management three years later in 1975.
Thus far, Aberdeen's only two losses on the tour had come against Wolves. The Dons had been dominant when facing local opposition, registering a combined score of 15-4 over the course of three games. Therefore, it was as much a shock to the Scottish side as it was to everyone in Toronto when this game ended in a 0-0 draw.
As evidenced by the score line, there were few chances of note throughout the game. Metros 'keeper Dick Howard was called into action early, needing to make a stop with his elbow on a drive from Joe Harper. The Toronto goal was under pressure once more a couple of minutes later when Barrie Mitchell sent a rocket just past the post. Making his return from international duty, Dons' goalkeeper Bobby Clark was tested as well: The Metros' best chance of the game came from Miguel Perrichon, who dribbled past Tommy McMillan and uncorked a great shot but it was tipped over the bar.
The major concern of the day was the growing injury list: Jim Hermiston was feared to have suffered damage to his knee cartilage and was sent to hospital, but fortunately other than some serious swelling he would be alright; Tommy McMillan (who came on for the soon-to-be-leaving-the-tour Willie Young, who was getting married) as well as Young himself both had problems, with Young having to be subbed due to stomach pains, while McMillan received stiches after being booted in the head (photo attached).
Manager Jimmy Bonthrone highlighted a couple of key players after the match who caught his eye, with Miguel Perrichon topping his list. The Argentine journeyman - who had previously played in Argentina, Mexico and Portugal - created numerous chances and if not for Clark being on his toes, he could well have found the back of the net. He was excellent with the ball at his feet and gave the weakened Aberdeen defence a tough day. Other players who Bonthrone mentioned were Antonio Mederios and Jose Moraes. Metros' manager Graham Leggat and the Dons' Davie Robb also commended Metros' 'keeper Howard for his clean sheet.
The name Graham Leggat should ring a bell for those who know their Dons history. He was the former Aberdeen winger who was part of the first Aberdeen team to win the league in 1955 and the League Cup in 1956. In 2017 he was inducted into the AFC Hall of Fame. Leggat was also a big influence in bringing Aberdeen to Toronto on this tour. Leggat was not only influential to Aberdeen football. Leggatt became a legendary football media analysts in Canada: Leggat enjoyed a 30-year broadcasting career in Canada.
The shock result led some to speculate that Aberdeen was complacent. Bonthrone took offence to this post-match suggestion by the Toronto Star newspaper, and he declared that Toronto were much better than half of the teams in the Scottish First Division. The manager wanted to make it clear that his Aberdeen side gave it their all, and Toronto surprised the Dons by how good they were.
Aberdeen would next be moving on to a recently added game to the tour against the Chicago All-Stars. This addition received a mixed reaction from the players, who had been playing with a number of injuries, aches and pains, and fatigue.
Author: George Pirie
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Toronto Metros Teamsheet:
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| Aberdeen Teamsheet:
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| Referee: |
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