In 1893 a more democratic amalgamation took place with Aberdeen Thistle since, although the name Aberdeenshire was retained, the Thistle colours were chosen - a black jersey with a thistle on a red ground. The thistle is one of the motifs on the present club tie and serves as the club badge. The Bon Accord of 30th September, 1893 reported the merger as follows.

"This re-organised club will begin practice today (Saturday) at the Holbum grounds. Members are requested to be on the ground by 3.15 p.m. Gentlemen wishing to become members are cordially invited to attend the opening ceremony."

One of the first games for the new look 'Shire was on the 21st October against the Grammar School at Holbum. Our correspondent in his report referred to the home side as the combined forces of Thistle and 'Shire. As previously he felt the need to offer advice as "Volum should refer all disputes to the referee and not take the law into his own hands. Trotter of the 'Varsity should be taught his place. For him as a spectator, to interfere in the game was highly injudicious and he ought to know better by this time."

A word of explanation is needed. Volum was a 'Shire player on the field and Trotter, although a medical student, was an unselected 'Shire player on the touch line. He played on the left wing of the half back line-later to be called the three quarter line and was known as "Imperial" Trotter because of his imperial moustache.

At the annual meeting of the club held in the Queen's Rooms on Thursday 5th September, 1895, one of the minutes recorded states "It was resolved to change the colours to red and black stripes with the thistle badge. The secretary was asked to obtain offers for supplying jerseys." Correspondence from a former 'Shire member Robert Scott, who joined the club after its amalgamation with Thistle R.F.C., gives the reason for the re-adoption of the former 'Shire colours. It was considered that the self coloured black jersey gave the team a somewhat diminutive appearance!

Aberdeenshire Rugby F.C.
North of Scotland Cupholders 1895-1896

Dundee High School F.P.s v Shire

The Shire team

J.Flockhart, G.A.Findlayson, J.S.Leanon, G.L.watson, Wm.D.Irons, L.Brown, Wm.hay, J.s.Walker, R.Harvey, P.C.Farquharson (Captain)

C.S.Woodrow, J.Webster, M.MacPhail, Wm.Allan, J.D.Munro.

What would these men of old have made of the New Zealand All Blacks!? It would appear psychological aids to influencing the outcome of a game were not unknown in those far off days. After a long association with 'Shire Scott left through a difference of opinion and threw in his lot with the Nomads. This continued for only half a season as a serious attack of scarlet fever put paid to his football career. There is assuredly a message from the gods here!

A further change in the club strip was made at the A.G.M. held In the Royal Hotel on 20th September, 1898, when it was proposed that the club stockings should be changed from crimson to red and black. These latter colours persisted till the A.G.M. of 3rd September, 1968 held at Mannofield Cricket Ground, when red and black were voted out and plain red in.