Gothenburg Great Willie Miller will be honoured in his adopted city next year when a new Cruyff Court will be opened in his name.
A new facility will be opened in the Granite City bearing the name of Aberdeen’s greatest ever player, former manager and director.
The court, which will be in Tillydrone, is the third of its kind in Aberdeen following the opening of the Denis Law court on Catherine Street in 2017 and the Neale Cooper court, located in Torry, which followed in 2019.
Miller is honoured to be recognised for his efforts with the Dons – but insists the creation of a new facility matters more.
He said: “It’s more about getting the facility built and allowing the kids to make use of it and fill their time.
“There are a couple of ways you fill time – positively or negatively – and a Cruyff Court in Tillydrone is terrific.
“We can see quite a lot of kids going about just now and I think it is clear the new facility will be well used.
“It’s amazing the amount of work the Denis Law Legacy Trust puts into it. There are four in Scotland and three of them are in Aberdeen.”
New court due to open on 40th anniversary of Gothenburg
The creation of a third Cruyff Court in Aberdeen means the city will be only the second city behind London to boast three courts, with the planned spring 2023 opening coinciding with the 40th anniversary of Aberdeen’s legendary European Cup Winners’ Cup win against Real Madrid.
Miller, who captained the Dons team to European glory in 1983, said: “Obviously the name Denis Law rests comfortably with Aberdeen, due to him being an Aberdonian.
“I’ve been imported here from Glasgow, but Aberdonians treat me like one of their’s.
“It will be a fabulous facility when it eventually opens.
“I haven’t been party to the build-up to this and I don’t necessarily think it was planned to open in 2023, but coinciding with the Gothenburg anniversary is a nice touch.
“If it inspires the youngsters in the community when it opens, then that is brilliant, but the important thing is having a facility for youngsters to use 24/7.
“It’s great news for the city.”
Council chiefs thrilled at having third court in the city
Council officials, members of the Denis Law Legacy Trust and Tillydrone Neighbourhood Network joined Miller in officially announcing the new development at the corner of Formartine Road and Conningham Gardens.
City council co-leader Alex Nicoll is pleased to see another area in the city benefiting from a new leisure facility.
He said: “The team behind Cruyff Court have done a spectacular job. This the third we’ll have in the city and they have been well spread out through the city.
“They’ve been hugely welcomed by young people and even some of us older people who want to take advantage to what these facilities offer. I take my hat off to the team involved as they have done a fantastic job.
“The team have chosen wisely in selecting areas for Cruyff Courts. We’ve seen people come far and wide, not just the local community.
“In Torry we’ve seen people come from all over the south side of the city and at Catherine Street people have come down from Northfield to use it. It has been a focal point for young people interested in sport.
“This has been a real group effort and we’ve shown, when the right people get together in a room, good things can happen and it is a credit to them all.”
Council co-leader hoping for Gothenburg reunion for opening
Nicoll insists a court bearing Miller’s name is a fitting tribute to his contribution to the city and hopes some of the Gothenburg Greats can officially open the new court next year in style by donning their boots once more.
He said: “Hopefully it will all be done and dusted next year and when we see the 40th anniversary of the Gothenburg Greats we can see a celebration match between some of the greats to show some of the skills which brought the city so much success in 1983.”
