IT was the most unexpected appearance of a sombrero this side of those Mariachi bands which suddenly materialise on all-inclusive holiday resorts in Mexico.
The accidental headwear worn by Ryan Fraser as he cavorted around Dean Court in the wake of Bournemouth making their promotion to the Barclays Premier League an all but arithmetical certainty has already passed into the iconography to the south coast club, and may even be granted a permanent home on the premises.
"Everyone was going out with their kids and stuff but I had nothing to take out so I thought I would just go out with it," said Fraser. "Someone was wearing it in the stands so they must have chucked it on the pitch. I haven't kept the hat but I think they are going to put it up in the club somewhere!"
As momentous as the club's first appearance in the top flight will be, celebrations thus far have been kept to a minimum. While promotion will be consolidated by anything other than a heavy defeat to Charlton Athletic tomorrow, they still have a title to aim for. The championship could be theirs in the event of a Bournemouth win and Watford slipping up at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
Fraser's departure from Aberdeen, in return for £400,000 in January 2013, wasn't treated too kindly by the Pittodrie side's supporters. Why, they asked, was one of their brightest young talents leaving for a League One side who not so long ago were mired in administration?
Fraser, though, knew his own mind, even if his decision to move to Bournemouth was so sudden that even his parents, Graeme and Debbie, weren't consulted. Having gone down to see the club and meet Eddie Howe, a man who would become more than just a manager to him, Fraser texted his parents to tell them he wasn't coming back, necessitating a 13-hour car journey the length and breadth of the country with a few essentials.
"I got a lot of stick, to be fair, from the fans," said the 21-year-old. "It was hard for me, it wasn't an easy decision. It meant I was having to go right to the other side of the country and live by myself. But I never once thought it wasn't the right decision. I don't mind the Aberdeen fans - they were really good when I played for them. I think they have got off my back a bit now.
"Even my mum was crying on the phone when I told her I wasn't coming back," he added. "Mums and dads are obviously going to stick with you no matter what, but they are obviously buzzing for me now. It is a shame they can't get down more often but they have obviously had a massive part to play in where I am now."
After being a virtual ever present in 2013-14, Fraser's contribution to the club's promotion has been 27 appearances, frequently from the bench, and two goals. This is less about his own shortcomings, more an endorsement of the likes of Scotland new boy Matt Ritchie and Marc Pugh, both of whom scored during Monday night's 3-0 win against Bolton.
"I have had to take a little step back this season," he said, "but 27 appearances is still not bad, considering we were winning most games. Matty has been unbelievable, 17 assists and 13 goals, and in the Championship team of the year, it says it all really. Gordon Strachan came down to about six of our games and Matty did well in all of them. I think he will be a massive addition to the side."
As for his own international hopes, Fraser can expect to be a mainstay for the Scotland Under-21 side during their next campaign, alongside his fellow Ryans, Gauld and Christie. But if everything goes well at the start of next season, he would love the chance to sample life in the big squad. "I haven't met him [Strachan] or anything but If I can get a good start to the season, even if I don't get the chance to play, it would be nice even to get a call up to go and train with them," he said.
Thoughts are already racing ahead to those visits next season to Stamford Bridge, the Emirates and Old Trafford. Having already performed creditably twice in two seasons at Liverpool and beaten West Brom, Fraser doesn't feel he should worry unduly.
"Now we can look forward week in, week out to playing against massive teams, we don't need to wait just for the cup games," he said. "I don't know who I am particularly looking forward to meeting. I just want to take in all the emotions. You would like to say yes we can stay up but you never know. You look at the teams who are bottom three in the Premier League just now and there are some massive sides there."
Fraser has one year left on his current deal, and is waiting and wondering whether another offer might come his way now Bournemouth have a guaranteed £140m washing washing around. "I've just got next year but you never know," he said. "Hopefully I can sign another one soon but there hasn't been any talk to be fair."
First things first though, and that is some serious celebrations in the first summer for a while without any youth-team games. "I am not going to do anything silly," said Fraser. "I think I am just going to chill out. It is quite sunny in Bournemouth so maybe I will go down to the beach and sunbathe."
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