Sacked Hay 'won't return to rugby'

Published on Tuesday 2 December 2008 23:35

JIM Hay says he is "finished with rugby" after being sacked as head coach by troubled Hawick.

The former Scotland hooker was told on Monday night that his services were no longer required yesterday after the 12-time champions dropped to the bottom of Premiership Division 1 at the weekend. The 29-0 defeat by league leaders Ayr at Millbrae compounded fears that Scotland's most successful club – along with Heriot's, one of only two never to have been relegated – could fall out of the top flight for the first time in their proud history.

The writing has been on the wall for some weeks as the Greens' season has lurched from one setback to the next. As well as only two victories and one draw in their first 13 games, Hay was handed a three-month touchline ban by the club following a post-match altercation with a referee. There has also been reports that relations had become strained between Hay and chairman Donald McLeod.

Hay said last night: "To be honest, I am relieved. Now I can have a stress-free Christmas.

"This season has been unbearable and I do not think that people off the field had the faith of those on it. Hawick rugby has been my life for the best part of 30 years, as a player, captain and a coach.

"I love the club and I have given everything to it. Maybe I should have stood down at the end of last season, but you know how it is – you want to go on.

"I do not have an issue with Hawick Rugby Club, it has been my life. I was told of my fate officially when the officials marched into my office, but I had already been given the heads-up with phone calls and a text."

Hay, who won one full cap in 1995 and has also coached rivals Gala and Scotland Under-18s, added: "I want to thank the players for their support and I do hope they can turn things round. I would hate to see them relegated.

"Ultimately, as in all sports, the coach takes the blame and I will take it on the chin. I know I gave it my best shot – but I won't go back to rugby."

A statement from Hawick RFC issued yesterday afternoon said: "The management committee decided at a meeting last night (Monday] to relieve Jim Hay of his position as head coach of the club.

"The decision was taken following a full debate about the club's position in Premier One of the Scottish Hydro Electric League.

"There will be no further comment from Hawick Rugby Football Club."

It is a long time since Hawick's heyday in the 1970s and early 80s when they romped to ten league titles in the first 14 years of the official national championship (which began in 1973-74) and regularly played in front of several thousand at Mansfield Park.

However, as recently as the turn of the century the Greens, who have produced a record 58 internationalists for the national team, were once again a dominant force in Scottish rugby under the stewardship of former player Ian Barnes, winning the treble of league, cup and Border League in 2001.

The economic decline of the Borders in general and the town of Hawick has been mirrored in rugby circles. The club estimates that 28 Hawick-produced players have left in the last 18 months alone, either to the SRU academy system or to other Scottish clubs.

It is understood current assistant coaches Stephen Cranston and Derek Armstrong will take over until the end of the season, starting with the home match against West of Scotland on Saturday. The pressure will now shift to them to ensure this current Hawick side does not suffer the ignominy of becoming the first in the Robbie Dye's illustrious history to fall away from the top table of Scottish club rugby.