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It's not all doom and gloom

It's not all doom and gloom

Gregor Ness25 Mar 2018 - 19:31
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Looking ahead....

Normally after a relegation the news coming from a club is predominantly negative. Players leaving, coaches leaving etc etc ... so we thought we would buck the trend. The sharks have been swimming but no bites yet!

Firstly it’s great to announce the return of Dan Law who will be back at the club until the end of his 2 year UK Visa which expires in October. Big Dan picked up the 1st XV Player of the Year after an outstanding season with us in 2016-17 & will give the squad a huge boost as we head into what will be a very tough National League 1 campaign. He will only be around for half a dozen games or so before heading back to New Zealand but I have no doubt the big fella will leave his mark.

Their is also a change of 1st XV captaincy as Angus Johnston has stepped down due to work commitments. Gus has been an outstanding captain for the past 2 seasons and has had a phenomenal season in the BT Premiership with consistent quality performances, always leading from the front. Gus will remain a key player for us going forward so no need to panic folks! Great shift Skip!

Conor Bickerstaff has been appointed 1st XV Captain for the 2018-19 season. “Beefy” has been at the club since mini rugby, coming through the Marr College Conveyor belt to earn 149 1st XV caps & score 115 tries to date! Not bad for a guy who’s had 2 Knee reconstructions & deemed too small at U16s pathway stage to be successful. He also holds the clubs all time try record in one season, racking up an incredible 41 tries in 24 games in the 2012-13 treble winning season. Congratulations Conor and all the best for leading the boys next season.

Conor’s first job as Captain was to appoint a Vice. Conor has decided to go with a Co-Vice Captaincy decision. Congratulations to both Mackenzie Pearce & Ross Miller who have been appointed Vice Captains for the 2018-19 season. Mack has been outstanding since his arrival at the club 3 seasons ago, racking up 60 caps in the process. He is someone who leaves it all out there on the pitch, has been consistently excellent all season long & will be a welcome addition to the leadership group. Ross Miller has also had a fantastic first season at Fullarton and has deservedly been appointed. Another guy who has put his body on the line all season long and has won over the Fullarton faithful with some really gutsy performances. Ross will provide experience of the situation we are in having been relegated with Glasgow Hawks only to captain the team straight back up to the Premiership. Congratulations to both Mackenzie & Ross!

Craig Redpath & Kenny Diffenthal will both remain at the club which is another huge boost for us. Craig has been the driving force behind our success over nearly a decade and we are delighted that he has chosen to stay on and keep on improving on what we have built here. Also excellent to have Kenny commit for his 3rd season as assistant coach. Kenny's dedication and attention to detail has again been a key part of our success in National League 1 and our ability to challenge the best of the Premiership this season.

Scott Bickerstaff will once again head up the Strength & Conditioning for the club which is more brilliant news for us. Scotty has been in fantastic form this season, earning a call up to the Scotland Club International squad as well as training with Glasgow Warriors over the last 4 weeks. Scott's try tally speaks for itself, running in 165 tries in 189 appearances for the 1st XV over the last 10 seasons & will be running out at Fullarton for the 11th season in a row come August.

Recognition must go to our supporters.

The Fullarton faithful have been nothing short of incredible all season long. Passionate, loyal dedicated fans who have traveled the length and breadth of the country to cheer on the boys - rain hail or shine, win lose or draw. With attendances averaging over 500 every home game this season (including 1,250 for the Ayrshire derby) you really have played your part in pushing the boys all the way to the end. We have traveled to many places this season to play in front of half empty stands, sometimes more away support than home! So it really does mean a lot to the players who can't thank you enough for your continued support.

I ask a favour of the Fullarton faithful one last time and that is to get to the club on Saturday to cheer on our 2nd XV who face Dundee Titans. With promotion all but sealed, even a point would be enough to send the 2nd XV into the top reserve division next season. The coaching duo of Keith Dunsmuir and Stephen 'Rivet' Galloway look to end their coaching careers on a high as both have confirmed they will be stepping down at the end of the season. Both men have been so important for our club over the last 35 years - captains, president, coaches - and they deserve a huge final send off. So get down and get behind the boys this weekend.

Our youth section continues to thrive, we have a dedicated committee, a passionate coaching group, tight nit playing squad who put their bodies on the line for each other and the badge week after week & we have the best supporters around.

I'm immensely proud to be a small part of this special rugby club.

Nessy

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