Ken was Dons’ goal hero from start to finish
Golden years
Aberdeen would get a massive boost if they can beat Celtic at Pittodrie for the first time since 2016 this afternoon.
It would certainly silence the critics of manager Derek McInnes.
The Dons had gone through a sticky patch similar to their recent poor run when they hosted the Hoops in February, 1961.
They’d gone five matches without a victory and were occupying 15th place in an 18-team top division.
And it looked like they would have to settle for a draw, because of two penalties awarded to Celtic.
On both occasions, it was Neilly Mochan who was fouled and converted the kick.
His first put the visitors ahead, and the second brought the scores level after Aberdeen had fought back with strikes from George Kinnell and Norrie Davidson.
But the never-say-die Dons would not be denied a vital victory.
A report of the game said: “No 11 wearers of the red shirts ever fought so bravely for survival as this lot did”.
Hero of the hour was makeshift winger Ken Brownlee.
He had joined Aberdeen as a wing-half – the equivalent of a midfield player these days. But he became the club’s Mr Versatile.
Scoring the winning goal against Celtic in the 89th minute prompted scenes of wild jubilation among the home supporters.
Ken recalled: “I didn’t mind where I played for Aberdeen. Getting a game was the most important thing.
“The only position I didn’t try was goalkeeper – I wasn’t mad enough for that!
“I started further back, then played on both the right and left wing.
“I was maybe fortunate that I could kick equally well with both feet.
“Later in 1960, I was moved to inside-forward and scored 18 goals in 29 league matches.”
Ken was definitely a man to be watched from start to finish.
He went on: “I joined Aberdeen – then the league champions – in 1955 from Newtongrange Star.
“I’d only played a handful of games in junior football before turning professional, and then made the first team after a few reserve outings.
“National Service then disrupted my football career.
“I missed a lot of games during my two years in the army. But I did come back very fit.
“That was maybe why I was still alert enough to latch on to a stray pass in the last minute and score.
“Another one that sticks in my mind was when I scored against Rangers at Ibrox after just 20 seconds. We won that match 4-2.
“I spent eight seasons with Aberdeen and really enjoyed my time there.
“There were a few seasons where we struggled. Paddy Buckley had to retire because of injury in 1957 and we really missed his presence up front and his goals.”
Ken moved to Third Lanark in 1963.
He went on: “Bobby Evans, a man I’d played against several times when he played for Celtic, was coaching there.
“He was quite a character and I enjoyed his training.
“I then moved to St Johnstone but I didn’t really get on with the manager, Bobby Brown.
“My next move was to Hellenic in South Africa and I’ve been here ever since.
“I later became player-manager of Boksburg and won promotion to the First Division here.
“We had quite a number of Scottish and English players.
“The owner of the club owned a brick factory and gave me a job.”
“I live near Tambo International Airport outside Johannesburg, and sometimes I think I’ll just jump on a plane to Scotland.
“But I’ll be 86 this year, and my knees and hips have gone. When I see the sunshine I reckon I’ll just stay where I am.”