When homesick Aberdonians Doug Cochrane and Tommy Robertson got together in the Grill Bar of the Savoy Hotel in London in 1930 to create a rugby fixture in their native city, they could not have imagined the same Boxing Day match would be in existence 83 years later.
Calum McNiven is one of a long line of exiles from Aberdeen who will mastermind Thursday’s match when the Exiles take on an Aberdeen Select at Rubislaw.
McNiven a former Heriot’s player, will not only organise the returning Exiles, but will make a brief appearance in the number 10 jersey.
He said: “I feel privileged to have the task of selecting a team for this game, which has become part of the folklore of rugby.
“The fixture continues to attract former players from the area from all over the world. This week’s game is no different.”
Among those who will play for the Exiles team, which will be coached by Gordonians president Jim Sugden, is Mike McLaren, from Houston.
He will join Kenny Fraser, who will make the journey from Kirkcaldy, to make a formidable second row pairing.
Gordonian Matthew Brechin jets in from Kazakhstan to take his place in the Exiles front row and will team up with Jamie Gilbert, from Cambridge, and former Aberdeen Grammar favourites Iain Stanger and Duncan Massie, who enjoyed a spell with Currie after leaving Aberdeen.
The Exiles pack looks to be as strong as any yet to grace the fixture – and the back division is made up some class acts, including scrum half Peter Jericevich, fresh from his try-scoring feat for Premier champions Ayr against Aberdeen Grammar on Saturday.
The former Garioch player will be attempting to retain the McKay-Cusiter Quaich, awarded in honour of two legends of the fixture, Zipper McKay and Stan Cusiter.
Glasgow Hawks players Sean Murray and Sean Mills will join former Grammar youngster Johnny Curtis in the back division.
Coach Sugden hopes to make his 25th appearance in the fixture, but only if he passes a fitness test.
The Aberdeen Select is managed by Mike Monro, who represents the area on the main committee of the SRU. Monro said: “I am proud to be in charge of a team which will be made up of players who come from the Premiership right through to Caledonia North 3.
“I am also grateful to Grammar and Shire for postponing their cup game to accommodate Thursday’s game.
“I am also delighted Kevin Wyness has put aside his coaching duties at Grammar to join Colin Bell, of Shire, to coach the Select.”
The Boxing Day game kicks off at 11am.