Gala shocked as Parker and Gray depart

Published on Tuesday 30 June 2009 22:46

GARY Parker and Richie Gray have quit as coaches of Gala RFC. The television rugby presenters had helped restore respectability at the Borders club in their two years in charge – first winning promotion from Premiership Three and then cementing a mid-table position in Premiership Two last season.

But a “difference of opinion on how to take the 1st XV squad forward” with the club’s executive board resulted in Parker and Gray both resigning their posts.

It is understood that the intensity of training at Gala had led to friction between coaching staff and senior players, with some squad members claiming that Parker and Gray were too “serious” in their approach.

However, the coaching duo believed they had every right to call on the players for maximum effort in a bid to restore Gala to the upper echelons of Scottish rugby and believed a strong work ethic was the only way of achieving that goal.

A Gala spokesman said: “The Executive Board, after giving the matter serious consideration, have reluctantly accepted their resignations and would like to put on record the club’s sincere thanks to both Richie and Gary and wish them both success for the future.”

It was Parker’s second spell in charge at Netherdale having led Gala to Scottish Cup success in 1999 when Gray was captain.

&#149 Youngsters from all over Scotland being encouraged to keep active this summer by joining in the fun at Scottish Rugby’s summer training camp at Moray FC in Elgin.

The camp runs between 5-7 August and will be attended by Scotland squad members. Application forms are available on www.scottishrugby.org.