2009–10 Aberdeen F.C. season


The 2009–10 season was Aberdeen's 96th successive season in the top flight of Scottish football, and their 98th season overall. Aberdeen competed in the Scottish Premier League, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup and UEFA Europa League during the 2009–10 season.

Season overview

started the new season under new management. On the last day of the 2008–09 it was announced that Jimmy Calderwood and his management team would leave after five years at the club. Aberdeen negotiated with fellow SPL club Motherwell for the release of their manager, Mark McGhee. McGhee had a successful spell at the club as a player, when the Dons' won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1983. Along with his assistant Scott Leitch the pair would form Aberdeen's new management team.
In the summer, Aberdeen lost their captain, Scott Severin, who left to pursue a career in England with Championship club Watford. The club also parted ways with four other players; defender Lee Mair joined fellow SPL club St Mirren. Jamie Smith joined MLS side Colorado Rapids, goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu had his contract terminated by the club and he was signed up with English club Crewe Alexandra. The club also parted ways with Faroese youngster Rogvi Holm.
With the squad depleting, McGhee sought out to buy new players. McGhee tried to sign Benin international Réda Johnson, but the defender choose to move to English outfit Plymouth Argyle. McGhee did make his first signing, goalkeeper Stuart Nelson from Norwich City. Jerel Ifil, Davide Grassi and Maurice Ross joined from Swindon Town, Espanyol and Kocaelispor respectively.
Aberdeen became one of the first clubs to participate in the newly re-branded Europa League. Aberdeen were drawn against Czech opposition in Sigma Olomouc. It soon proved to be a tie to forget, as the Dons were humbled 5-1 at home, and 3-0 away, which resulted in an 8-1 aggregate score. Aberdeen were also knocked out early in the League Cup as well. After falling 2-0 down, goals from Michael Paton ensure that the cup tie against Dundee would go into extra time. Aberdeen lost the game 3-2.
Aberdeen started their League campaign with a 3-1 defeat to Celtic, but with wins against Hamilton, St Mirren, St Johnstone and a notable one against rivals Rangers have got Aberdeen's season back on track.

Transfers

Transfers

In Permanent
PlayerFromFeeContract length
Stuart Nelson Norwich CityFreeOne year
Jerel Ifil Swindon TownFreeTwo year
Davide Grassi EspanyolUndisclosedOne year
Maurice Ross KocaelisporFreeOne year

Loans in
PlayerFromLoan Length
Paul Marshall Manchester CityEnd of Season
Steve MacLean Plymouth ArgyleEnd of Season
Jim Paterson Plymouth ArgyleEnd of Season

Loans out
PlayerToLoan Length
John Bateman PeterheadOne year
Stuart Duff Inverness Caledonian ThistleOne month
Chris Maguire KilmarnockEnd of season

Out Permanent
PlayerToFeeNote
Lee Mair St MirrenFreeEnd of contract
Scott Severin WatfordFreeEnd of contract
Jamie Smith Colorado RapidsFreeEnd of Contract
Bertrand Bossu Crewe AlexandraFreeEnd of Contract
Rogvi HolmFreeReleased
Sammy StewartFreeReleased
Maurice Ross Beijing GuoanFreeEnd of contract
Tommy Wright Grimsby TownFreeReleased
Lee Miller Middlesbrough£500,000–

Statistics

Current squad

As of 22 April 2010

Player statistics

Appearances for competitive matches only

Most appearances

Source: above appearances and goals table

Top scorers

Awards

Clydesdale Bank Awards

MonthRecipientAwardReport
November Peter PawlettYoung Player of the Month
January Fraser FyvieYoung Player of the Month

Results and fixtures

Pre-season friendlies

Scottish Premier League

Match DayDateOpponentH/AScoreAberdeen ScorerLeague
Position		AttendanceReport
115 August 2009CelticH1–3Aluko 916,803
222 August 2009Hamilton AcademicalA3–0Mulgrew, Considine, Maguire 63,347
329 August 2009MotherwellH0–0611,320
414 September 2009FalkirkA0–064,724
519 September 2009St MirrenH1–0Mulgrew 510,103
626 September 2009RangersA0–0547,968
73 October 2009KilmarnockA1–1McDonald 64,997
817 October 2009Heart of MidlothianH1–1Miller 611,629
924 October 2009Dundee UnitedH0–2711,766
1031 October 2009HibernianA0–2713,885
117 November 2009St JohnstoneH2–1Aluko, Miller 610,894
1221 November 2009MotherwellA1–1McDonald 64,668
1328 November 2009RangersH1–0Miller 616,153
145 December 2009CelticA0–3656,010
1512 December 2009Hamilton AcademicalH1–2McDonald 69,499
1619 December 2009HibernianH0–269,096
172 January 2010Dundee UnitedA1–0Mulgrew 610,032
1812 January 2010St MirrenA0–163,867
1923 January 2010KilmarnockH1–0Young 712,150
2027 January 2010Heart of MidlothianA3–0Fyvie, Mackie, Young 614,219
2130 January 2010MotherwellH0–379,555
222 February 2010FalkirkH0–177,741
2310 February 2010HibernianA2–2Paton, MacLean 610,469
2413 February 2010CelticH4–4Paton, Mackie, MacLean, 714,898
2520 February 2010FalkirkA1–3Mulgrew 74,643
2627 February 2010Heart of MidlothianH0–178,316
276 March 2010Hamilton AcademicalA1–1Diamond 72,030
2816 March 2010St JohnstoneA0–183,826
2920 March 2010Dundee UnitedH2–2Diamond, Paton 89,316
3027 March 2010St MirrenH2–1Diamond, Aluko 88,764
314 April 2010KilmarnockA0–284,825
327 April 2010RangersA1–3Mackie 847,061
3311 April 2010St JohnstoneH1–3Mackie 97,568
3417 April 2010FalkirkH1–0MacLean 910,461
3524 April 2010St JohnstoneA1–1MacLean 93,295
361 May 2010Hamilton AcademicalH1–3Young 97,099
375 May 2010KilmarnockH1–2Kerr 96,097
388 May 2010St MirrenA1–0Mair 94,022

UEFA Europa League

RoundDateOpponentH/AScoreAberdeen ScorerAttendanceReport
TQR30 July 2009 Sigma OlomoucH1–5Mulgrew 13,973
TQR6 August 2009 Sigma OlomoucA0–37,405

Scottish League Cup

RoundDateOpponentH/AScoreAberdeen ScorerAttendanceReport
Third Round22 September 2009DundeeA2–3 Paton 6,131

Scottish Cup

RoundDateOpponentH/AScoreAberdeen ScorerAttendanceReport
Fourth Round9 January 2010HeartsH2–0Mackie, Miller 8,226
Fifth Round6 February 2010Raith RoversA1–1McDonald 7,045
Fifth Round Replay16 February 2010Raith RoversH0–18,153

Competitions

Overall

SPL

Classification

Results summary

Results by round

League Positions

Results by opponent

Source: 2009–10 Scottish Premier League article

Club

Management

Other information