Neil Simpson On Playing For Aberdeen In Their Golden Era And The Influence Of Alex Ferguson And Jock Stein | OneFootball

Your new book offers readers a fascinating insight into your life and career, covering both the triumphs and the challenges. What made now the right time to tell your story?

“If I am honest, I had been approached three times previously about writing a book. Once was at the end of my playing career and there were a couple of other opportunities later on. It was never something that particularly appealed to me.

“Part of that was because I genuinely questioned whether anyone would be interested in my story. When you look at players such as Willie Miller and Alex McLeish, men who represented Scotland 50 or 60 times and enjoyed extraordinary careers, you can immediately see the appeal of their stories. I never viewed my own journey in the same way.

“A few things eventually changed my perspective.

“Dougie Bell and John McMaster had both published books and I found myself drawn to them. Around the same time, I had left Aberdeen and suddenly realised how much more time I had available. Football consumes every aspect of your life. It is not a profession you leave behind when you walk out of the training ground. It is a constant commitment.

“A mutual friend, Jock Gardner, who served on my testimonial committee, suggested I meet Neil Drysdale to discuss the possibility of a book. I agreed, thinking it would simply be a conversation. We met, spoke again, and gradually my interest grew.

“There were also aspects of my personal life that made me realise there was a story worth telling. Readers of the book will know about being born in London and the journey of finding my father. When I stepped back and looked at everything, from my earliest memories through to my football career and life beyond the game, I realised there was a compelling narrative there.

“I also spent time reading books about Walter Smith, Davie Cooper and Alan Rough to understand how others had approached telling their stories. Neil and I then sat down and sketched out what we thought the chapters might look like. The structure evolved as the process unfolded because one memory would lead naturally to another, but everything seemed to fall into place.

“The experience itself was immensely rewarding.

“We began work in January of the previous year. I knew the opening chapter would focus on being born in London and my early childhood. I gathered notes, spoke to relatives and relied heavily on what people often tell me is a very good memory.

“Neil would record our conversations, ask questions and draw out details I had perhaps not considered. Often I would leave a session and realise there was another story or recollection we had not covered, so we would revisit it. He then had the ability to take all of that material and bring it to life on the page.

“The first chapter, particularly the sections about my grandparents and my mother, was deeply emotional for me. It touched something very personal. From that point onwards, the book seemed to gather its own momentum.

“Before long, the manuscript was complete, and we were selecting photographs with the publisher.

“It was a wonderful process from beginning to end.”

You shared a dressing room with some of the most celebrated players in Aberdeen’s history, including Willie Miller, Alex McLeish, Gordon Strachan and Jim Leighton. You also arrived during what became the club’s greatest era. What are your strongest memories of breaking into the first team?

“Playing for Aberdeen was always the dream.

“Growing up in the north-east of Scotland, Aberdeen was the club that dominated your imagination. Most children supported the Dons and spent their weekends watching or talking about the team. The connection between club and community was incredibly strong.

“As youngsters, we looked up to players such as Joe Harper, Bobby Clark, Davie Robb and Martin Buchan. To us, they were heroes. Playing alongside them seemed an impossible ambition, yet it was the dream every young supporter carried.

“When I eventually broke into the first team, everything seemed to fall into place.

“I was fortunate enough to enter a dressing room filled with exceptional professionals. People often speak about Willie Miller, Alex McLeish and Gordon Strachan, and rightly so, but Stuart Kennedy was a hugely important figure in my development.

“He was a tremendous mentor.

“Stuart set standards every single day. If you happened to be on the opposing side during training, he demanded the very best from you. There was no room for complacency. Every session mattered, every challenge mattered, and every player was expected to compete.

“For a young player trying to establish himself, those standards provided an invaluable education.

“They taught you that success was built not on what happened on a Saturday afternoon, but on the habits and discipline you demonstrated every day of the week.”

Working under Sir Alex Ferguson must have been a unique experience. We all know about the success he achieved, but I imagine that on a day-to-day basis it could be challenging as well, given how demanding he was of his players and staff.

“Demanding is certainly one way of describing him. He demanded standards every single day in training, but more than that, he was a force of nature.

“It was his energy, his drive and his winning mentality that stood out. The standards he expected applied to everyone, from the youngest player in the squad right through to the most experienced professional.

“If you fell below those standards, you felt the force of his personality. There was no doubt about that.

“As a young player, though, you did not really know any different. That was simply the environment you came into.

“He moulded young players such as Neale Cooper, John Hewitt, Eric Black and Dougie Bell into exactly the type of footballers he wanted representing Aberdeen. He wanted players with strong mentalities, players who were determined, resilient and capable of handling pressure when expectations were high both on and off the pitch.”

You were a part of the greatest ever Aberdeen team who defeated Real Madrid to win the UEFA Cup Winners Cup in 1983. What are your main memories of that momentous occasion for the club and for your career?

“We were actually very relaxed going into the game. We knew the quality Real Madrid had. Myself and Neale Cooper were going to be picking up Gallego and Uli Stielike, who were outstanding international players, so we understood the challenge that lay ahead.

“What struck me most was how relaxed Alex Ferguson seemed. He never looked anxious, and I think it was an excellent decision to bring Jock Stein with us because his experience was invaluable.”

The preparations followed a familiar routine. Aberdeen trained at Pittodrie before travelling to Sweden, settled into their hotel and even found time for some light-hearted competition.

“One of my favourite memories from the build-up was the quiz we had in the hotel. There was a question asking which British football club had the longest name. Ted McMinn answered ‘Hamilton Academical’, but Fergie wouldn’t give him the point because the correct answer was ‘Hamilton Academicals’. That was him in a nutshell. Even during a quiz, every detail mattered.”

On match day, the weather changed dramatically.

“It had been a lovely day, quite warm and close, but after we’d had lunch and our afternoon rest we woke up to torrential rain. It absolutely poured down, and it never stopped for the whole match.”

The defining image, however, came in extra time.

“My biggest memory is John Hewitt scoring the winning goal. I was about 25 yards behind him when he struck the ball, and I can still picture it perfectly.

“Then, when the referee blew the final whistle, I remember looking up around the stadium and seeing the scoreboard showing ‘Aberdeen 2, Real Madrid 1’. That moment has stayed with me ever since.”

The celebrations that followed were every bit as memorable as the victory itself.

“The homecoming is another memory that will never leave me. As the open-top bus came down Queens Road and turned onto Union Street, the crowds were unbelievable. There were thousands upon thousands of people lining the streets.

“Coming from the north-east of Scotland, seeing what that victory meant to everyone was incredibly emotional. It genuinely brought a tear to my eye.”

One of the honours that came after the success in Gothenburg and the Super Cup was receiving the Freedom of the City alongside your team-mates. How special was that? Was it one of those moments where you had to pinch yourself?

“It really was.

“I had attended Alex Ferguson’s own Freedom of the City ceremony and seen the reaction from people as he made his way through the streets and received that recognition.

“When our team received the honour, it meant a tremendous amount.

“Coming from the north-east of Scotland, all I had ever wanted to do was play for Aberdeen. To then go on and win a European trophy, win domestic trophies and experience everything we achieved as a team was beyond anything I could have imagined.

“To receive the Freedom of the City on top of that was something that sat well beyond my wildest dreams, particularly for someone like me who had grown up simply wanting to wear the Aberdeen jersey.”

One of the major themes in the book concerns the Ian Durrant incident. Without dwelling on it too much, was it cathartic to finally discuss it in depth and in your own words, rather than in a newspaper interview or television appearance where there is often limited space to explain yourself?

“Yes, I think it was.

“The chapter itself runs to around 6,000 words and, before writing the book, I had never really spoken about it in any depth.

“If someone asked me about it over the years, I might have offered a brief answer or a small insight into how I felt, but I had never properly explained the experience from my perspective.

“What I wanted to do was tell the story as I lived it. I wanted people to understand what it felt like to be in my shoes and to see events through my eyes.

“In many ways it was about getting something off my chest, but it was also about finally having the freedom to explain my side of the story properly.

“Once people have read it, they can make up their own minds, but at least they are hearing the full account rather than a brief comment or headline.”

Given the highs and lows of your career, from league titles, cup wins and European success to the difficult moments that followed, did those experiences help when you moved into coaching and eventually became Head of Youth Academy at Aberdeen?

“One hundred per cent.

“My coaching journey really began while I was still a player. I used to work with local primary school children and became involved in initiatives designed to increase participation and improve coaching standards throughout Scotland.

“Over the years, I worked with players at every stage of development, from youngsters simply enjoying football and learning the game, right through to players trying to establish themselves at elite level.

“When you have experienced the very highest moments in football, as well as some of the most difficult, it does help when working with young players because you can speak from experience.

“You can explain what professionalism looks like, what sacrifices are required and how important mentality and work ethic are.

“Not every successful player is necessarily the star performer at youth level. Sometimes it is the player who applies himself properly, works hard every day and maximises his potential who goes furthest.

“Those were always lessons I tried to pass on.”

One of the fascinating aspects of the book is the warmth with which you write about Jock Stein. Given that so much discussion about your career centres on Alex Ferguson, what made Jock such an important figure in your life?

“My relationship with Jock began when I was selected for Scotland Under-17s.

“I had missed out on the Victory Shield schoolboy squad, so being selected for Scotland Under-17s was a huge moment.

“Our first trip was to Italy and, at that stage, I had never travelled abroad before.

“Andy Roxburgh was the manager, Walter Smith was the assistant manager and Jock Stein travelled with the party.

“Jock had an incredible aura about him. The moment he entered a room, you could feel his presence.

“For whatever reason, we seemed to get on very well. Whether he liked my attitude or work ethic, I honestly do not know, but we developed a very good rapport.

“I remember travelling back with him and Andy Roxburgh after one trip. We flew into London and then on to Aberdeen, so I spent several hours in their company. Those conversations stayed with me.

“When I later won my first Scotland cap against Northern Ireland in 1983, Jock was still heavily involved with the national team.

“I always felt I had a good relationship with him.

“He was one of those figures who carried enormous authority without having to say very much. Alongside Alex Ferguson and Billy McNeill, he was one of those men who could walk into a room and immediately command attention. That was the level of respect they had earned throughout the game.”

What was Jock like when working directly with players?

“He was different from some managers.

“People often talk about tactics and preparation, but what I remember most were the personal touches.

“He would come over and have a quiet word with you before a game. Nothing complicated. Just simple advice, encouragement and reassurance.

“He might tell you to keep things simple, enjoy the game and trust yourself.

“Those small conversations meant a lot because they came from somebody you respected so deeply.

“You always wanted to do your best for him, just as much as you wanted to do your best for yourself.”

Finally, having experienced the highs and lows of football, written a successful book and moved into a different stage of life, how much are you enjoying life now?

“I am probably busier in some ways now than I was before.

“When I was working in the academy and later overseeing loan players as Pathways Manager, my weekends were spent travelling all over the country watching players. Whether it was Cieran Dunne, Jack Milne, Ryan Duncan or others coming through the system, I was constantly on the road.

“Now, I have a fantastic work-life balance.

“I genuinely feel I have done my bit in football.

“My company has a box at Pittodrie, so I still attend matches and remain connected to the club, but I also have more time to enjoy other things.

“I am a grandfather now, which is something I take enormous pleasure from.

“My wife and I enjoy long weekends away, walking the dog and spending time with family.

“Life is very good at the moment, and I am thoroughly enjoying this chapter of it.”