Timelapse: iconic Murrayfield goalposts are removed

The posts are to be replaced after more than 30 years service. Picture: Lesley Martin

The white steel posts have witnessed the transformation of the national stadium in their 30 years of duty at either end of Murrayfield’s world-famous pitch, from the erection of the “new” East Stand when they were fresh out of the packaging in 1983 to the ending of a 59-year wait for a second Grand Slam, and watching a third Grand Slam just six years later.

Chris Paterson, the most consistently accurate kicker of the ball between the famous uprights, was back on the pitch on Thursday surrounded by fans, the now Scottish Rugby ambassador having dreamed up the unique send-off with colleagues in the PR department. But most were not too fussed about taking part in competitions with Scotland’s most-capped player. They just wanted to kick a goal in a stadium that even some All Blacks term their favourite.

“It’s fantastic!” said Paterson, eagerly teeing up the ball for a woman much to the delight of her children. “I’ve seen all sorts of kicks today – some brilliant, some the worst I’ve ever seen, but everyone is having a ball. It is something so simple. The posts were coming down and we wondered whether anyone would be interested in coming along and kicking a few goals before they were carted off, so we thought ‘let’s give it a go’. We never knew what to expect and I’m amazed at the number of people who have turned up.

“There must be 100 to 150 people on the pitch. I have kids having a go, mums and I’ve seen a few dads kicking it through and then having sneaky wee celebrations. It just reminds you what this place means to people. A lot of the SRU staff have been coming out and saying they’ve worked here for years and never set foot on the pitch. We’ve had busloads of schoolchildren, clubs, people coming off during stadium tours and there was even a conference in the stadium suites today involving the Inland Revenue and they were all out during the lunch break having a shot in their suits and ties.

“To be honest, as a player who first played here as a teenager and made my debut for Scotland in 1999, more than 13 years ago, you do take this place for granted a little.”

Paterson will have more memories than most, having won 109 caps from a debut against Spain at Murrayfield in 1999 to his last game for Edinburgh at the end of last season – and all that came after he had scored the match-winning points for Gala against Kelso in the 1999 Scottish Cup Final. But he admitted that, in well over 100 kicks for clubs and country, he never paid much attention to the posts. “I’ve been asked a few times today which post I aimed for or looked at, and, actually, I never looked at them when I was kicking goals. I was always looking at the space in between because that’s where I imagined the ball to be flying through. Thankfully, many times it did.

“One memory I do have of the posts is from my second cap, against France at the start of the 2000 Six Nations Championship. I caught a high ball and spun round, right into the posts. Not a great memory! But there have been better memories created today and they’ve not needed my help. I had some competitions set up, but everybody just wants to get the ball down and kick! It’s brilliant.”

Chris Paterson, Scotland's greatest goal-kicker. Picture: Lesley Martin

Charities also benefited with everyone who enjoyed kicking at goal invited to make a donation to one of the Murrayfield Centenary Fund, Bill McLaren Foundation, Hearts & Balls or Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

Paterson will also now have a say in where the historic posts end up. He has invited clubs to get in touch and state, in 50 words or fewer, why they should be the new home. Paterson will chair a panel of three players who also graced the Murrayfield turf and choose the winning entry. More information is available at the SRU website: www.scottishrugby.org.uk

Paterson insisted: “There will be no favouritism and everyone will have just the same chance as my old club!

“No bribes will be taken. Just send in your entry and tell us why you deserve to have this part of Scottish rugby tradition, and we’ll see who proves the most persuasive. Then I’ll be

getting into a van – a pretty big one I imagine – with the ground staff and heading to their new home in time for the new

season. It’s great that, somewhere, these posts that must have seen some great tries and great celebrations will live on in the game.”