Many students at the University of Aberdeen will be familiar with Pittodrie stadium, visible from the Sir Duncan Rice Library. Home to Aberdeen FC, the biggest and most successful club in the city, who play at the ground on alternating weekends and in midweek European games. Football fans at the university, like myself, may be tempted to attend a match, but are often met with expensive tickets. Students over the age of 22 can expect to pay £24 for admission, in an area of the stadium with no cover from the rain. A covered seat for a European match can cost £40! Fortunately, there is many nearby local teams, each with unique history, loyal fanbases, and interesting stadiums. Below is five Aberdeen based teams, each within a 10km radius of the university campus, easily accessible by bus, and with reasonable or even free admission costs.

Cove Rangers F.C.

Founded: 1922

Nickname: The Toonsers

Ground: Balmoral Stadium, Cove Bay

League: Scottish League One (3^rd tier)

Despite recently celebrating the club’s 100th anniversary, Cove Rangers’ best successes can be found in the last 5 years, where they recorded 2 successive promotions as champions from the Highland League to League 1, and a further promotion to the Scottish Championship in 2022. Unfortunately, they were soon relegated back to League 1, where they currently reside. This year’s squad is a mixture of exciting young talent and experienced senior players, most notably Fraser Fyvie- Winner of both Scottish and English FA cups.

Banks o’ Dee F.C.

Founded: 1902

Nickname: The Rechabites or The Dee

Ground: Spain Park, Abbotswell Road

League: Highland League (5^th tier)

As their name suggests, The Rechabites play their home games on the south side of the River Dee, at the recently renovated Spain Park, which is also a general sports and fitness club. Promoted to the Highland League in 2022 (becoming the first club to do so), The Dee endured a tough debut season, being handed a 24-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player on eight separate occasions. This season has been much more positive, with the club winning the Aberdeenshire Shield in December, beating a youthful Aberdeen F.C. side at the Balmoral Stadium. It could be argued that Banks o’ Dee is the most successful club in Aberdeen, with over 130 honours to their name!

Hermes F.C.

Founded: 1968

Nickname: none

Ground: Lochside Park, Denmore Road

League: SJFA North Premier Division (6/7^th tier)

Hermes was founded by students at Robert Gordon University and was interestingly named after a typewriter seen in a magazine by one of the founding members, called the Hermes 2000. In the 2010-2011 North Superleague season, they amassed a staggering 73 points as champions, out of a possible 78, with 24 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss.

Dyce F.C.

Founded: 1989

Nickname: The Blue and White Hoops

Ground: Ian Mair Park, Dyce

League: SJFA North Premier Division (6/7^th tier)

Playing under the wings of approaching aircraft to Aberdeen airport, the blue and white hoops were created when two clubs, Mugiemoss F.C. and Rosslyn Sport F.C. merged. The club occupied top spot at the end of 2023 and will be looking to take the title.

St Machar Thistle A.F.C.

Founded: 2023

Nickname: none

Ground: St Machar Academy, Bedford Road

League: AAFA Division 2 East (10^th tier)

Having been founded a matter of months ago, one may presume St Machar Thistle would be devoid of any history, however, the club made national news after recording a 0-51 loss in a Scottish amateur cup fixture. Starting with just eight players, and no trained goalkeeper, the mostly student-based team put their name on the map, creating interest and attracting new players. They will look forward to 2024, hoping to record a first win in the club’s history.