Peeblesshire News | Sport | Garvie tips for Reivers

Wednesday, 19th November, 2008

Published: Friday, 25th August, 2006 11:18

Garvie tips for Reivers

By Atholl Innes

HE represents Peebles on Scottish Borders Council and makes the headlines in the Peeblesshire News almost every week.

The rows over a new school at Neidpath Grazings as well as the possible move of the library to the Burgh Hall ensures that Graham Garvie, the former chief executive of the now defunct Tweeddale District Council, maintains a high profile.

But away from local government politics, the “gamekeeper come poacher” is passionate about rugby.

So much so that he has joined the new Edinburgh Rugby pro side as a non-executive director.

And believes that if Edinburgh had not been franchised out by the SRU, the Border Reivers would not be kicking off their new season a week on Friday.

“There was a big spin-off in that the Borders had a stay of execution. As a Borders councillor, I was delighted about that. It was good for the Borders, good for rugby.”

The seeds to move out of SRU control were sown at the Scotland v. Barbarians match at Murrayfield in May, when Graham met up with the Carruthers brothers, “buddies” from his own days at Dunfermline where they were family friends.

And it must have been the best-kept secret in Scottish rugby.

While the press were speculating over a take-over of Glasgow and a possible move to Stirling, out of the blue came the announcement that the Carruthers brothers had bought Edinburgh and Graham was joining the board.

The former Heriot’s No. 8 told me: “We had a chat at the game about the future and everything moved very quickly after that. It all happened within about three weeks.

“We decided to set up Edinburgh Rugby Ltd and a company, Murrayfield Sports & Leisure Ltd. There is huge potential there (at Murrayfield) and we could ‘do a Munster’ and make it successful.

“We are just in the door and so Murrayfield will be our home.

“We aim to get 10,000 people through the gates, and we will be going over to Munster to see what they do.

“We also want to develop relations with the clubs.”

And he had advice for all game’s administrators at all levels. “You have to make rugby more family orientated. You have to put on a show, more than just the rugby, and broaden the experience.

“It’s a great sport. Look at the friendships and camaraderie which you get from the game.”

Graham, a member at Heriot’s and Peebles, is looking forward with enthusiasm to a new future with Edinburgh Rugby.

Whether the fact that the move has saved the Border Reivers will win him votes at next year’s Council elections – if he decides to stand – remains a political hot potato.

But like rugby, nothing is ever certain in local government.

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