I'm not entirely sure where the inspiration came from to write this.

Maybe the thought process began as I watched my little boy in his first school nativity, or as we reported the real life camels in Ellon's version. Briefly, whilst we're on that subject - if you're going to use live animals in a nativity, wouldn't sheep have been easier to source? Just saying....

However it came about - it did, and I found myself wondering what it was like in Christmases gone by at Pittodrie.

If this was TV or radio, this is where the harp glissandos would kick in and the drift-away sequence would follow....

In days gone by

From years of old

They came and cheered the Black And Gold

Where 'Stand' meant, you stood

In close knit huddles

With pulled up hoods avoiding puddles

To meets friends of the past and faces new

Before the opening whistle blew

"I'm Michael," came a cheery voice

"I'm aye caul', myself" the reply of choice.

How different or similar, was it, I wonder?

Did they berate a defensive blunder?

Was the opposition met with a cacophony of howls?

When an opposing number made one too many fouls

Was the match official treated with derision....

When he made an obviously rotten decision?

And were they praying for divine intervention

To aid their man avert a one match suspension?

At half time were they muttering to their Lord

Or were all the games just a stroll for Bon Accord?

What was Christmas football like in 1903?

Was it buy one ticket and a child goes free?

Did the wise men come, or stay at home?

Their intellect aware they'd freeze to the bone.

Were there shepherds there, driven to come

By an unfamiliar light in the sky - "What's that? It CAN'T be THE SUN?!"

And was there a family with a newborn boy?

Eager to show friends their bundle of joy?

Knowing their pals would be at the match,

but still keen for a first glimpse to snatch

"When was he born?" asked a passer by.

"10 days ago" the tired reply

"10 days ago? So nae quite brand new...ye ken we'd a game last week too?"

"I don't know ..."scoffed a nearby porter

Your nae what we'd call a committed supporter"

"Here come the teams!", the yell went up.

"We'll need a miracle if we're going to lift this cup..."

If walls could speak ...what did they hear?

Merry Christmas, here's to a great New Year.