Peebles coach Parker leaves for Biggar
David Knox • Published 17 Jun 2011 09:30
0 Comments
Share this
See also:
PEEBLES Rugby Club officials were stunned last week when coach Gary Parker said that he was leaving The Gytes after just a year in charge.
Parker is going back to take over the helm at Hartreemill where he led Biggar to Premiership 1 five seasons ago.
Peebles officials learned only this week of Parker's decision.
And the club is now looking for a new backs coach to support Gerry McGuinness, who is expected to stay on as forwards' coach.
Vice-President Gordon Brown said: "We just have to get on with it. We will need to look at filling Gary's role."
Parker, who has also coached at Melrose and Gala, said that it was the most difficult decision that he'd made, and blamed the lack of support from some players at training for his decision.
Parker, who took Peebles into the Premiership 1 play-offs last season, told the Peeblesshire News: "It has been a real struggle to get the boys to train and that was really disappointing.
"I took it personally that they did not want to play for me.
"I have had several clubs after me and made the decision to join Biggar, where I have lots of good friends.
"I will now sit down with Biggar officials and discuss the way forward and see which players that we can bring in."
Biggar spokesman Al Stewart said that his personal view was that the search for a new coach to replace Ants Posa had flung up several well-qualified candidates, but Gary's approach interested the committee most.
"He is remembered as being a hugely enthusiastic and motivated coach and one who knows the Scottish game well as well as getting the best out of the players," said Stewart.
"His return is very much welcomed and his presence will provide us with some new impetus. He was with us during our most successful spell ever and was instrumental in getting us to Premier 1. Gary will provide a new voice and we can now focus on the season and we will announce a new development officer in the next couple of weeks."
Peebles has also lost a number of players including former captain Willie Aitken, who has joined Stewart's Melville, and threequarter Craig Borthwick, who broke a leg last season and has joined Gala.
This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 17 Jun 11
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.
Peeblesshire News Poll
Are you in favour of wind farms?
This Poll is now closed.
Yes (72.7%)
No (27.3%)
