A Dutch of class the Dons fans will never forget
Aberdeen went to Motherwell yesterday looking for a morale-boosting win ahead of next Sunday’s Betfred Cup final.
The Pittodrie men haven’t always found goals easy to come by this season as they’ve been looking to replace striker Adam Rooney.
Fir Park proved to be a great place for a former hitman to open his account for the club.
It’s 30 years since the Dons going Dutch brought silverware to the Granite City. Goalkeeper Theo Snelders and English midfielder Paul Mason were both recruited from Holland in 1988.
A third player arrived at the start of the following year and made a big impact. Willem van der Ark spent 12 years in the professional game, but he’ll never be allowed to forget one flick of a football.
It was a touch that helped secure Aberdeen their first major trophy since Alex Ferguson’s glory years.
He recalled: “I made an instant decision to join Aberdeen when I heard they were interested. “It had always been my dream to experience playing football abroad.
“I knew of Aberdeen because of their success in Europe just a few years before.
“I had to wait until they came to an agreement with my club, Willem II, but there was never any doubt in my mind.
“I already knew Theo Snelders well, and I’d also met Paul Mason in Dutch football. “Theo was great at helping me settle in. “There was also a terrific camaraderie in the Aberdeen squad at that time. Charlie Nicholas was a big character and Alex Mcleish was really friendly.
“I’m a great believer that when you go abroad, you have to adapt to the local surroundings.
“The only thing I was a little shocked by was the lack of training facilities. I was surprised we trained in a public park!
“My first game came at Motherwell, and I scored within the first 30 minutes.
“I then won a free-kick that was scored by Robert Connor, but I also got booked!
“It was a dream debut. I think that really helped make a connection with the supporters.”
Nine months later, the 6ft 5in tall striker was picking up a League Cup winner’s medal. Aberdeen and Rangers were drawing 1-1 in the final in extra time when Van der Ark was introduced as a substitute for Brian Grant. He said: “When you’re waiting on the bench you’re always desperate to make an impact.
“I managed to get a head flick on the ball and Charlie Nicholas laid it off for Paul Mason to score the winner.
“That medal is my greatest prize in football, particularly because I played a part in that goal.
“It’s amazing that Aberdeen supporters seem to remember that so vividly.
“It was my birthday on November 13 and I got a lot of congratulations on Facebook. “They start discussing the type of player I was. “The celebrations after the Final – going through Aberdeen in an open-top bus – were amazing.”
It’s perhaps ironic that Willem’s time in Scotland is best remembered for a header.
He said: “I recently read an article about the former England striker Peter Crouch.
“He’s bigger than me, but he’s always well regarded for his technical ability on the ground.
“I’m not saying I was as good as him, but tall players tend to be thought of as only good at heading.
“I like to think I had more to my game and could score different types of goals.
“I ended up leaving Aberdeen in 1991 because I was spending too much time on the bench. “I had discussions with the manager, Alex Smith, and he assured me I was still an important player for the team.
“However, I got an offer to play for Utrecht in the Dutch top league and that was a good move.”
Willem, now 55, works as an estate agent in Leeuwarden, and goes to watch local club Cambuur, where he ended his career.
He also remains a big Aberdeen fan and loves returning to the city.