Many of you will have noticed Aberdeen – aka the Dons – are scheduled to appear in the William Hill Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park on May 27.
This event is often referred to as a “gala occasion” or a “showpiece” game.
Around 12,000 supporters wore red and white colours in the semi-final win over Hibernian last weekend while about 10,000 more will come out of the woodwork for the final.
We recall the Dons’ league cup final of 2014 when 40,000 of their disciples found their way to Celtic Park to see their team beat Inverness Caley Thistle and lift the trophy after a penalty shoot-out.
The next week, when Kilmarnock visited Pittodrie, 26,000 of those “supporters” were posted missing.
Is there, I wonder, a them-and-us feeling from those who regularly travel to cheer-on the team all season only to see their numbers boosted by what they might term “glory hunters”?
Or is there another side to this story?
Are the extra supporters at the big games proof watching football in warmer conditions is what is needed to improve attendances?
I’ve lost count of the number of managers, coaches and players who have said they would welcome summer football.
Yet, the game’s administrators, while trying to appear sympathetic, lack the courage to take the bold step needed.
Today, fans are asked to attend games in weather which would normally keep them indoors and they are asked to pay dearly for the privilege.
All those years after I attended my first Scottish Cup final – the
1956 game of Hearts 3 Celtic 1 – and hundreds of other matches in the intervening period, I rather think the “glory hunters” have got it right.
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