The ball boy
I have fond memories of my association with Hawick Trades. For
me, it started when my father Jim introduced me to rugby when I
became a ball boy for the Trades in 1971. During my time as a ball
boy I met several past, present and future Hawick players of the
time. This exposure to great rugby minds and ideas gave me the
perfect grounding in rugby which has stood me in good stead over the
years.The
influence of Tom Reid
One of the most influential characters involved with the club was
the late Tom Reid. He was a very deep thinking rugby man who set
high club standards and expectations: typical of Hawick rugby.
He had a great influence on many a player who progressed from the
Trades to play for Hawick. He encouraged a desire and ambition
in every player at the the club that to play for Hawick was the sole
purpose of the Trades and that was the target for each and every
player. That was certainly the case for me.
My earliest games
One of my first games for the club was near the end of season
1977-78 as a 16-year-old. I found myself in the same side as
Colin Telfer the Hawick stand-off at that time returning after
injury. It was a great experience for me to play alongside
such a class player.
Another great occasion that year
was going to Cartha Sevens for my first time, which also coincided
with my first visit and weekend stay in Glasgow. This
certainly was an eye opener, being looked after by Kenny Douglas and
Arthur Smith - more so when we ended up visiting a supporters bar
near to Ibrox Stadium.
A regular in
the team
At the beginning of season 1978-79 I moved from Hawick PSA and
became a regular for the Trades as a No 8, playing several games
which preceded my first game for Hawick in December 1978.
This was a great moment for me and pleasing for Tom Reid.
During this season I experienced my first Junior local derby match
against the “Auld Enemy” the Linden, where I faced Wat Davies making
a return to the game after injury. Luckily for me he was
just finding his match fitness and the Trades enjoyed a narrow win.
This was not always the case when I played in some of those local
derbys which were the big games for the club and were very tense
hard fought affairs as they are now and have been for years.
Coaching at the
Trades
The first coach I encountered at the Trades was Tom Dawson, a former
Hawick player who encouraged stamina and fitness. I recall his
famous phrase as he had all the players running round the Volunteer
Park for what felt like the 100th time: with people
starting to wilt, he would scream “Open the Box” which was his
expression to keep going and not to give in. There were several
players who set the standard of fitness, players like Alistair
Taylor and Kenny McAllan who had a great attitude and could run all
day. I always attempted to keep up with them.
Kenny Douglas was a more recent
coach and a great servant to the club and to Hawick rugby who put a
great emphasis on fitness. His winter jogs from the Volunteer
to Burnfoot and back were like running a marathon to me but paid
dividends on a Saturday. He is a deep thinking rugby man similar to
many others in the club.
Continuing support
After graduating to the Hawick team I was given great support from
the Trades never more so than getting games to prove my fitness
after injury. One of the greatest moments I remember was when
Hawick were playing Langholm in the Border League at Milltown. That
day there were 14 players in the Hawick side all of whom had
graduated from the Trades. The Trades club has given me over the
years and continues to give encouragement and all the support needed
to players to achieve their rugby ambitions. The club is a very
important part in the structure of Hawick rugby and has produced
many fine players and will continue to produce fine players for
Hawick. I wish the Trades good luck and fortune on the occasion of
their anniversary season and look forward to another successful year
for them and Hawick rugby. |
