Aberdeen’s top two rugby clubs may not have met in any kind of competition since the turn of the century, but in one aspect of the game they shared common ground this week.
At their respective annual meetings, Aberdeen Grammar and Gordonians both appointed new presidents to head up their administrative teams.
Colin Neilson, a 41-year-old former prop, will take over from the outgoing Jim Rae at Rubislaw, while 34-year-old Matthew Brechin replaces Jim Sugden at Countesswells.
Both new presidents acknowledged the major contribution the two retiring presidents had made.
Neilson said: “I am flattered, but proud to head up such a fine sporting organisation.
“Jim has been very helpful and hopefully will be around to advice me when required at a very difficult time for the game.
“I also have the backing of our most dedicated chairman, Gordon Thomson, who has done an amazing amount of work over the years.
“I look forward to taking the club forward and in particular to our first game at home to Dundee High on October 31.”
Brechin was equally appreciative of his outgoing president, Sugden.
He said: “Jim is a rugby man through and through. I am privileged to be following in his footsteps.
“My aim is to grow the club and the excellent squad of players who have one of the best sporting facilities available to them in the country.
“Our first game is going to be in Thurso, where we meet Caithness in a regional competition.”
There is a gap of two leagues between the city rivals, although Brechin was hopeful there would be collaboration and co-operation between Rubislaw and Countesswells.
“Who knows what’s ahead of us, but we must take the game forward,” he said.