Selkirk: New coach 'Marsh' relying on local heroes to keep the Selkirk success story going

GRAHAM Marshall is one of four coaches new to Premier One this season, but the former Scotland flanker could hardly be more in tune with his crop of players were he to be their father.

In fact, he is the dad of one, Calum Marshall, an up-and-coming back row, and it would be no surprise were a core of others who the Philiphaugh club are looking to spearhead another daring raid on the leading lights of the club game this season to consider 'Marsh' at least a father figure.

He was instrumental in bringing together disparate strands of youth rugby in the Borders town around 15 years ago, driving a desire for greater harmony between Selkirk High School, Selkirk Youth Club and the rugby club. Then, he was coming at it from the position of PE teacher at the high school and, while he is reluctant to take responsibility for the ensuing success of the town's youth and senior rugby, there is little doubt that he was a key figure in the improvement of the past decade.

He is still at Selkirk High, now a depute headteacher, and still teaches and coaches young players, but he has finally accepted the offer to take a more hands-on role with the Selkirk 1st XV, and he has not had to spend much time acquainting himself with the players.

"That is one positive from stepping into the job," he acknowledged. "I know all the boys from coaching them through school and youth rugby, and know a lot about them because I've seen them develop from mini-rugby right up.

"But it is also presents a challenge because I haven't coached at an adult level before. It's never been the right time, but it is something I've always wanted to do. It's a great challenge. People talk about Selkirk 'punching above our weight' and we are at this level, but it's great fun doing it and the longer we can stay in Premier One the more confident we will get."

He does have that steady stream of youth talent to help, however. When Fraser Harkness came through seven years ago there was a recognition that he was part of a special group of players that emerged at the same time, yet the likes of Scott Hendrie and Lee Jones followed and this season just gone ended with Selkirk Youth club again the dominant force in Borders semi-junior rugby.

As much as proud Souters fear that it might all dry up sometime soon, there is no obvious evidence of that. And, if anyone would know, it is Marshall.

"We did have a very good group of players about seven years ago. But, you're right, the 1st XV now has guys that have come through over a number of seasons and age-groups, from Andrew Renwick, Darren Clapperton and my son Calum, who are just 20, to Ross Nixon, Calum Johnston and up to Michael McVie and that bunch now turning 26.

"We've got Ryan Godsmark, the openside flanker from the Youth Club last season, on our bench this weekend, to give him a taste, so it's continuing. We've only maybe had two or three really good year groups, but we're always up there competing, and I think there is a great desire in the town to be part of keeping the club playing in Premier One.

"There hasn't been an increase in playing numbers, but there was a massive sense of achievement when we got to Premier One three years ago and then when we stayed there, because a lot expected us to come straight back down, so interest has been maintained in the town."

Marshall, with long-serving player and coach Rodney Pow alongside him, knows the size of the task facing his mostly local squad in staying in what is becoming an ever-more competitive league, where more teams are moving towards semi-professional status. But the wide smile suggests he is relishing the challenge.

He added: "Selkirk rugby club is there to provide rugby for the town and I think it's really important that people recognise who is out there on the pitch. It's very difficult to survive in Premier One purely with players from a town of 5,000 people, but we are desperate to, while also being true to the people that have got us here and kept us here.

"Boroughmuir have 11 new faces in their team to play us this weekend and that kind of recruitment is just beyond us, and any Border club I think, because we don't have the population or pulling power that the city clubs have. Down here we just get on with it, develop a team spirit and an excitement at your home games and look forward to the challenge."

COACHES

Graham Marshall and Rodney Pow.

CAPTAIN

Fraser Harkness.

INS

Matthew Weller (Hartpury College), Conor Paton (Canterbury, NZ).

OUTS

Lee Jones (Edinburgh), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow), Martin Murray, Scott Tomlinson and Rory Aglen (all retired from 1st XV), David Grieve (Jed-Forest).

PRO DRAFT

Lee Jones, Steven Turnbull, Craig Hamilton, Kyle Traynor, Alex Grove, Netani Talei (all Edinburgh).

LAST SEASON

Seventh in league and second round exit from cup.