When you are asked to sit down and put on paper something that has been part of your life for many years it is very difficult to know where to start.

Most of the Aberdeenshire Rugby Football Club wives and mothers will probably agree that it all starts with one particular Saturday in your life and all of a sudden one, ten, fifteen, twenty or more years have slipped past and you realise it is not so much a game of rugby, but a way of life.

There were times in past years when we "ladies" did not stay in the bar when players enjoyed some relaxation after a game but sat in a lower, back room discretely out of the way. Fortunately these days have long since gone and I can assure you that there are a few of the ladies who now know the lyrics of many songs better than some of the players. There have been a few social get togethers I can recall when after a few beers and a tiring game the players have had to be prompted from the "touch-line" so to speak, when the words to some old favourites have "slipped the memory".

We have learned to enjoy our rugby, albeit in a supportive role. Feeding visitors, touch-line support (sometimes rather vociferously) and occasionally changing the colour of a player's support garments by accident in the washing machine. A jock- strap with a hint of pink does brighten up the day in the changing room!

Quite a few of us have watched and supported partners for many years and are now in the happy position of being able to stand on the touch-line and support our sons. The extended family of club-life is enjoyed by all of us and hopefully 'Shire have gained the reputation of being one of the more friendly clubs to visit.

Now that 'Shire has a home of its own at long last, after living a nomadic existence for a hundred or so years, makes it possible for us to put this club at the top of the North-East rugby scene.

Good luck to ARFC for the next hundred years. The only unfortunate thing about it, is that we won't be there to enjoy the festivities, in body anyway!!!