THERE might be depression around those who work in the oil fields close to Aberdeen these days, but that tristesse certainly isn't being felt on the city's playing fields. In football, Derek McInnes is being hailed as a new Fergie for the 21st century, with the Dons boasting an 100 per cent record after eight league fixtures. And in rugby, Aberdeenshire have won all their matches so far in the second tier of the BT National League.
It's a remarkable transformation in the fortunes of the Woodside club, who had a 0-4 record at this stage of the campaign 12 months ago. Yet there is no secret behind the fashion in which Shire's coaches, Alex Duncan and Kevin Wyness, have orchestrated the resurgence. If you talk to this duo, one detects an intensity and a steely determination to get rid of the notion that Aberdeen and rugby don't go together, despite ample evidence to the contrary.
Wyness, in particular, is an adherent of the philosophy that genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains. He's also a man who relishes sport in all its diverse varieties and argues that the north-east should recognise the extent of talent it possesses.
"There is a feel-good factor up here at the moment, not just because of the football, but right across the board, and I think we have definitely benefited from the expansion of Aberdeen Sports Village and the Aquatics Centre," said Wyness.
"In the last few months, a couple of our young boxers [John Docherty and Billy Stuart] have returned with medals from the Commonwealth Youth Games, [canoeing's] David Florence has won a world title and several of the city's rowers, including Lewis McCue, have stamped their impression on the international stage. It has been encouraging and we have seen at first hand the determination of the Aberdeenshire lads to pick up the pace and raise their standards.
"We struggled at the outset last time round, but we have already produced some good performances against the likes of Kirkcaldy, Greenock Wanderers and Lasswade, and it has shown the ambition of these lads. Nobody is mentioning the 'p' word [promotion] yet, of course not at this early stage of the season, but there is a real commitment to pull together and put rugby on the map. I know how many people care about the game in and around Aberdeen. The next step is to lay the right foundations to encourage youngsters to pick up a ball in the future."
Nonetheless, the city remains torn between sticking and twisting. In some quarters, one hears talk of how it makes sense for Aberdeen Grammar and Aberdeenshire to merge and create one big entity, but that notion is viewed with X-rated horror in other places. So far, nothing has come of a plethora of prattle about a third professional team being established in the north east and that prospect seems pretty remote, given the tangible effects of the economic downturn in the region. Thus, Wyness and his colleagues have to concentrate on nurturing their own precocious seedbed of talent.
"It has been terrific to watch the recent displays of players such as [18-year-old] Matthew Emmison, who has already played for Scotland at age-group level and we have several teenagers who have been making strides forward. We have also been smart enough to bring in [former Grammar star] Greig Ryan and he is actively helping the boys and bringing them out of their shells.
"As things stand, we feel in good fettle, but we realise that there is a long way to go. We took an inexperienced side down to Greenock and did well, and that was a positive sign of the quality coming through, so it's an exciting time. But the National Leagues are very competitive and you have to push hard to achieve your goals. What is obvious to many people is the need to put Aberdeen rugby on the map."
Duncan, for his part, is a perfectionist, an individual with an almost messianic desire to be the catalyst for a transformation in the sport's perception. He also sets himself and his squad lofty standards. Last weekend, for instance, Shire might have recorded a 40-19 triumph over Lasswade, but Duncan responded: "It was a good game, but we are still a long way from peaking. Crucially, we gave away too many penalties and that is something that we need to work on."
Until recently, Aberdeenshire would have been content with their current situation and allowed themselves a pat on the back. But times have changed and it's clear this organisation has no intention of being prisoners of the past. It will be interesting to follow their progress as winter and granite converge.
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