Tributes paid to Turriff born former Aberdeen FC captain Ally Shewan
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Tributes have been paid to former Aberdeen captain Ally Shewan who has died at the age of 83.
Born in Turriff on August 5, 1940 he grew up as an Aberdeen fan and started his playing career with Formartine United before signing provisional forms for Aberdeen in 1958.
After becoming a full-time professional in 1959, Ally made his first team debut against Third Lanark on March 20, 1962 in a 5-3 win. He went on to make the left-back spot virtually his own during the ‘60s.
During his Pittodrie career, Ally came close to winning silverware but was disappointed to end up on the losing side in the 1964 Summer Cup final against Hibernian as well as in the 1967 Scottish Cup final when Aberdeen were beaten by Celtic.
Later that summer, Ally was in the side that lost out 6-5 in ‘over time’ to Wolverhampton in the Presidents Cup Final in the USA.
Despite those disappointments, Ally led Aberdeen with distinction through a tough time under Tom Pearson and latterly the great improvements when Eddie Turnbull took over.
A tough, uncompromising full-back, he was a consistent performer and tough competitor, who was rarely injured.
Ally listed Jimmy Johnstone, the Celtic winger, as his most difficult opponent while Partick’s Firhill ground was one of his favourite away venues.
Ally eventually left Aberdeen in 1969 following a contract dispute, which was a sad end to his playing spell at Pittodrie. After a short stay in Australia, Ally returned to see out his career in the Highland League.
In 1971 he returned with his Elgin City side that played Aberdeen as the Dons opened the defence of the cup at Pittodrie against the Highland league club. After winning honours with Elgin, he finished his career with Ross County and then Lossiemouth.
After his career had finished, he spent 30 years in the oil industry.
Commenting a spokesperson for Formatine United said: "Everyone at Formartine United Football Club were saddened to learn of the passing of its former player, Ally Shewan.
"Mr Shewan, who became the first inductee into the Club’s Hall of Fame in 2014, has passed away at the age of 83.
"The Club passes on its best wishes and thoughts to Ally’s family and friends at this very sad time."
In a statement Aberdeen FC said: "Everyone at Aberdeen FC was deeply saddened today to hear that Ally Shewan has passed away.
"One of our stars of the 1960s, Ally had a long association with the Club.
"As well as being a former Dons captain, the AFC Hall of Famer was a great friend to many of us for many years after participating in a number of roles.
"He deserves great credit for helping set up the AFC Former Players’ Association and he was also a matchday ambassador.
"The original ‘Iron Man’ of Pittodrie, Ally Shewan gained that fearsome reputation among the American public during the Dons’ tour matches in the USA in the summer of 1967.
"Shewan made exactly 300 appearances for the Dons between 1963-69, which included surpassing Willie Cooper’s consecutive appearance pre-war record (162) for the club. Ally had an incredible run of 238 consecutive games, a record that still stands today and is unlikely to be beaten.
"A hard man on the pitch, you could not meet a nicer person off it.
"In 2004, Ally was inducted into the AFC Hall of Fame, and retired as an AFC Ambassador on 16th May 2016, ending a 50-year association with the Dons. His legacy remains in the form of the AFC Former Players’ Association.
"We pass on our best wishes and thoughts to Ally’s family and friends at this very sad time.
"We will have a full tribute to Ally at the Celtic game."
