by John H. Orr

It gives me the greatest pleasure to be invited to write a foreword for this historic booklet. Aberdeenshire Rugby Football Club has always held an esteemed and honoured place in the annals of the game and all rugby enthusiasts wish the members well in this Centenary Year.

To chronicle records at any time can be a demanding task but to encompass one hundred years of rugby history, with its inevitable successes and failures, hopes and disappointments is a monumental achievement and reflects tremendous credit on your many researchers and subscribers all of whom must be congratulated for their painstaking and willing efforts. As the readers muse over the pages of this booklet, exciting occasions will be recalled, memories revived, arguments settled and personal involvements identified but undoubtedly the greatest tribute must be paid to that multitude of enthusiasts from all walks of life who have worked untiringly and unselfishly for the ultimate success of your club.

Despite the benefits of the National Health Service, few of us can confidently expect to reach five score years and it is consequently difficult to comprehend the drastic changes which have taken place not only in life itself but also in rugby football in the last 100 years. We are becoming highly organised and more competitive without I hope, losing the pleasure, enjoyment and friendly rivalry that is the ultimate aim and satisfaction. The introduction of National Leagues has brought a fresh application and dimension to the game and encouraged clubs to seek new pinnacles of fitness and highly sophisticated techniques from their players whilst retaining the traditions and reputation of their individual clubs.