northern league trophy

Success came Aberdeen's way in the 1905-06 season when they topped the league, pipping Arbroath and Dunfermline by a single point. No trophy existed prior to that date, but local man, George Cruikshank put that right by donating this splendid silver trophy to the Northern League Association. Aberdeen 'A' triumphed again in the 1910-11 season before the league folded in the years prior to the First World War.

The Northern League was formed in 1891 and prior to it's formation Aberdeen had more or less played arranged fixtures - known as "Ordinary Matches", usually locally and in the northeast, apart from the Aberdeenshire Cup ties, which at that time provided the only competitive matches other than usually very brief forays into the Scottish or Qualifying Cup tournaments. In the first season Aberdeen finished sixth before the league took a break until reforming in 1895.

Prior to Aberdeen's success in 1906 two Aberdeen based sides had been crowned champions. Orion won the title in 1897 and 1899 with Victoria United securing the title in 1898. The league was formed in direct opposition to the established game in the central belt and ultimately it was doomed to failure, but it did offer some meaningful competition in those days for the clubs in the northeast.