238 games. An ordinary act of fact.
In the club’s nearly 120-year history, only 63 players have made as many appearances for Aberdeen, but none of them consecutively; None, Ally Shewan.
Such is the size of that figure, the Dons’ contemporary captain won’t make his 238rd appearance for the club until next month. But even the famously durable veteran Graeme Shinnie has had the occasional break through injury, suspension, rest, and transfer.
Count 238 games and locate an Aberdeen team containing Chris Forrester and Stephen Gleeson. If they sound like ancient history, it’s a measure of how consistent Ally Shewan’s presence was in the 1960s. For the last five years of what was ultimately a 300-game run at Pittodrie, if Aberdeen played, Ally played.
But it’s not just that he’s there. Ally didn’t just fill the T-shirt. He wore it with wonderful pride, yes; but with an even greater majesty.
Burning desire to represent his club would not alone have been enough to warrant such reciprocation. Ally was always chosen to play because nobody could have done it better.
A titanic and unflinching defender on the pitch, but an incredibly warm and friendly guy off it, Ally perfectly explained the point of intersection between the elite professional game and the North East of Scotland. As remarkable as the position it occupies in the club’s history, its cultural significance to Aberdeenshire is even greater.
Though Ally came as close as any, no footballer is ever truly irreplaceable, for one day the team takes the field with another in his stead. But the person, whose long run has also now ended, will forever leave a gap in his family’s teamsheet.
We stand with them as they do and mourn their passing.