Club has the character and spirit to meet big challenges

Scott Forbes said the focus would continue to be on staying safe, looking after families, supporting the community and “all working together to come through this challenging period of our lives stronger and resume some sense of normality in our day-to-day living”.

Mr Forbes also had definite ideas for his two-year tenure at Poynder Park.

“By embracing the club’s rich history, I hope to provide the leadership that allows Kelso RFC to sustain its rightful position as a much-respected senior club within Scottish rugby,” he said in a statement on the club’s Twitter feed.

Plans were under way for the season ahead but things were still far from clear.

“There is a lot of uncertainty, I appreciate, at the moment, as to what the season format will present and when rugby will actually start,” he said.

“There will be no national leagues involving promotion and relegation this season.

“However, regional rugby looks the favoured option, which would see us playing in either a Border League or a blended option, with Border and Edinburgh teams.”

Despite the uncertainty, said Mr Forbes, the club still had to plan and prepare for the new season.

The pandemic had thrown an extra tough obstacle in its path which, nevertheless, had to be met.

“Firstly, we have to ensure our facilities are safe and operating in line with Government guidance to facilitate the return to rugby,” he added.

The club had appointed Brian Macfarlane as Covid officer to this end.

Mr Forbes also appealed to all club members who were in a position to pay their membership fees for the coming season to do so as soon as possible, to help the club’s cashflow.

There had been no regular income at Poynder Park since February, which had led to financial pressures.

There had some personnel reshuffling as well, with the club recently announcing the appointment of Murray Hastie as development officer.

Neil Hinnigan would be returning as director of rugby, while the first XV captain would be Andy Tait.

Assisting him would be co-vice captains Angus Common and Frankie Robson.

Head coach Darren Cunningham would be aided by Bruce MacNeil and Kevin Utterson.

Alongside the senior coaching team would be Darren Paxton and Craig Renton, assisting with the second XV.

Pre-season training started in July at Springwood Park, while Kelso Harlequins and the ladies’ squad had also been involved.

Mr Forbes concluded: “I appeal to you all that, as a club, we have to work together better than we have ever done before, to ensure the club comes out the other side stronger and equipped to meet the challenges that lie ahead in our game.”