Aberdeen have won a single League Cup since 2000.
63 domestic trophies contested, a single piece of silverware won.
The League Cup is the third most important tournament in Scottish football.
The Premiership is the most important, followed by the Scottish Cup.
The Scottish Cup has been won by seven different clubs since 2000 – but Aberdeen is not in the group.
So in the last 21 seasons, Aberdeen have, at best, been only the 8th most successful club in Scotland.
But it gets worse. Aberdeen share 8th place with three other clubs, all of which have only won a single League Cup since 2000.
How the mighty have fallen since the heady days of Sir Alex Ferguson, when the Old Firm trembled at facing the Dandy Dons.
Aberdeen had their chance to destroy the duopoly that has wrecked havoc with Scottish football since 1985.
When Rangers had to start again in 2012, Aberdeen had 5 seasons with only Celtic to beat.
They didn’t get close.
In those 5 seasons, the nearest Aberdeen came to Celtic at season end was 15 points.
Very sad.
There is now a new Chairman in situ at Aberdeen. Dave Cormack is reportedly worth hundreds of £ millions.
Mr Cormack’s leadership and money have so far had zero impact in terms of Aberdeen’s success.
They have had none in recent years.
Aberdeen are now one of the ten permanent also rans in the Scottish Premiership.
Talked up by the media as “challengers”, they in fact get nowhere near challenging the Old Firm.
Some would be happy to have this farcical duopoly continue, allowing new Chairs like Cormack, Budge and Gordon to emerge every few seasons, broadcasting their brave new messages of hope.
The harsh reality?
There is no hope if the current financial and structural arrangements in the Scottish Premiership remain in place.
Two steps need to be taken immediately to change the situation.
1. Celtic and Rangers must be made to provide £20 million each per season to fund the Scottish football structure. This can be seen as a repayment of the extra £700 million the Glasgow clubs have earned since pushing through in 1980 a new rule which allowed them to keep 100% of their home gate receipts.
2. Premiership clubs must only play each other twice each season in the league. The system of playing four times per season has destroyed the hopes of aspiring challengers.
And a third step may well be required…
3. If 1 and 2 above do not see new Premiership Champions come through in the next two seasons, a handicap system needs to be introduced to penalise the winners for successive wins. “In-a-row” has been a disaster for all but two clubs in Scotland.
Changes requires leadership.
Cormack, Budge and Gordon must drag the other 37 also ran Chairs screaming and kicking to a realisation that the duopoly must be ended.
This is the right time, right now.
Time for Change.
Scottish Football Matters 