Main content
The Scottish club that toppled Real Madrid
Led by Sir Alex Ferguson, Aberdeen beat the Spanish giants to win a European trophy in 1983
In the early 1980s, Aberdeen went from Scottish footballing obscurity to the very top of the European game, beating mighty Real Madrid to win the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup. The sporting fairy-tale made the reputation of Sir Alex Ferguson, before he went on to manage Manchester United. Alex Capstick spoke to former Aberdeen assistant manager Archie Knox and former midfielder Neale Cooper. Neale Cooper died in 2018.
PHOTO: Alex Ferguson and Archie Knox with the European Cup Winner's Cup (Courtesy Aberdeen F.C.)
Last on
Sun 25 Apr 202118:50GMT
BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
More episodes
Broadcasts
- Thu 22 Apr 202109:50GMTBBC World Service
- Thu 22 Apr 202123:50GMTBBC World Service
- Sat 24 Apr 202104:50GMTBBC World Service South Asia & East Asia only
- Sat 24 Apr 202117:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Sun 25 Apr 202118:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
Podcast
![]()
Sporting Witness
Personal stories of amazing moments from sporting history told by people who were there



