Published: Monday, 22nd June, 2009 12:21pm

'Burn future in your hands

THE future of one of the country"s oldest clubs is in its own hands.

That was the message from Walkerburn stalwart Bert Duffy at the club"s 125th anniversary dinner on Saturday night.

The club almost folded eight years ago but, said Mr Duffy, thanks to a rallying call in the Peeblesshire News, villagers saved it from extinction.

But he warned: 'The club is in your hands and it is worth working hard for on and off the pitch.'

Another "Burn stalwart, Peter Brownlee, added: 'We need to move on from here and get back to National League status.

'All clubs in the Borders are struggling, and I know that Bert and Finlay Calder, who is standing for the president"s role at Murrayfield, know the situation.'

In an emotional speech, replying to Brownlee"s toast, Duffy said that he always had a soft spot for the club as that was where he was introduced to the game almost 60 years ago.

'After our appeal to save the club back in 2002, Phil Lees played a master stroke in persuading Ian Millar of Gala to be coach, and along with Grant Fraser, Dave Howett and David Johnston, the playing side was in good hands.

'Sarah Ballantyne volunteered to take on the secretary"s role and we all know the commitment that she has to the club.

'Peter Hope took on the president"s mantle for three years and certainly led from the front, organising the various sub-committees to run the club.

'The most important group was the ladies" section which, to me, is the most important part of any club, and I have also to thank Davie Campbell for all his efforts.

'May I say to everyone who came on board at the time - you should be proud of your efforts to keep this great club alive. In his toast, Brownlee spoke of the "Burn legends, the men who had left and were still leaving a legacy at Caberston Haugh, and how he had been one of the 'Glenbenna boys" who had joined the club.

'Players were loyal to the club and some could have gone on to play at a higher level, but stayed with the club.' Brownlee recalled days at the sevens, tours, and the enjoyment of playing at the "Burn. It had, he said, been a great experience.

In his toast to rugby football, former Scotland and British Lion captain Finlay Calder spoke passionately about his meteoric rise to the leadership - and spoke about his experiences with his twin brother Jim and of captaining both Scotland and the Lions.

"You strike up friendships that last forever, and that is for rugby at all levels," he said.

Other speakers at the dinner were president Peter Irvine and last season's captain Richard Horsely; David Campbell acted as compere; and the singers were the famous Hawick duo of Henry Douglas and Drew Gibb.

"It has been a great night," said secretary Srah Fraser-Ballantyne at the end of a most enjoyable evening.