Selkirk give special thanks to former player and coach

The debt the local rugby world owes Graham was recognised at a special sports dinner held last Friday at Philiphaugh, where the retired Selkirk High School depute headteacher received a surprise presentation from Selkirk Rugby Club to mark his 32-year involvement with rugby in the town.

Dinner chairman John Rutherford told the 190-strong audience that Graham’s coaching and wise guidance had been instrumental in helping no fewer than 26 Selkirk players gain international honours at every level – from full Scotland cap Lee Jones and Scotland 7s cap Ciaran Beattie to Scotland under-18 ‘A’ player Ally Lyall and Scotland under-17s player Colin Wood.

On the plinth of the trophy, made by local firm Caddon Design and presented to Graham by ex-Scotland and British Lions coach Jim Telfer, appear the words: ‘To Marsh, for outstanding service and commitment to rugby in Selkirk’.

Genuinely taken aback by the award, Graham spoke of the huge impact living and working in Selkirk had had on both him and his family.

“Although not my home town, after 32 years here I have a sense of belonging and being part of the community, and it’s down to rugby and the kind of place this is.

“At Selkirk, we have a reputation for producing some decent players. For the last three years I coached at Philiphaugh, out of every Saturday 1st XV squad, no fewer than 14 out of the 20 players were Selkirk born and bred. The number never fell below 70 per cent.

“I think that’s a massive statement about what goes on in this club, from minis to the schools, to the Youth Club and on to the senior Selkirk team.

“Over the years, I’ve had lots of support, including John Rutherford (who does a massive amount of work for this club), through to the teachers at the High School, who have always committed to school rugby; not something that happens at every school, even here in the Borders. I’ve also had massive support here at Philiphaugh.

“I’ve given a couple of chats to sixth year pupils as they leave Selkirk High and the one thing I say to them is this town is like an anchor. They can go away and ply their trade in cities and far afield, and that’s good.

“However, this place holds on to them. There’s always a connection and that anchor always pulls them back. I believe that sense of belonging in Selkirk is really, really special.

“I’m sure if you’re from Kelso, Melrose or another Border town, you have that as well. But I just think it’s so special here and it’s something we need to hang on to.

“So thank you very much for this. It’s an absolute surprise but very much appreciated. Thanks a lot.”

Graham Marshall played rugby for Scottish Schools while a pupil at Currie High School but, for a while, it looked as if his sporting future might lie in the football sphere.

While playing for Hutchinson Vale Boys Club (alongside future Selkirk & Scotland team-mate Iwan Tukalo) he was spotted by a Dundee Untied scout and spent a season at Tannadice, playing for the reserves.

Deciding rugby was a better option, Graham turned out for Jordanhill College while training to be a PE teacher and, in 1988, joined Selkirk after taking up a post in the High School’s PE department. He rose to become the school’s assistant and then depute headteacher, retiring in 2019.

He made 67 appearances for Selkirk, scoring a total of 14 tries. He made his debut for the South against Australia at Mansfield Park in November 1988, before going on to win four caps for Scotland.

He began his coaching career with the Selkirk High first year team and coached Selkirk Youth Club for a total of 15 years, taking them to three consecutive Murrayfield U18 youth finals (winning the title by defeating Royal High).

He also held coaching posts with Scottish Schools, Scotland U18s and Scotland U19s. As well as having two spells as Selkirk’s head coach, he also spent a season at Goldenacre as coach of Heriot’s FP.

Other speakers last Friday were Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill and former world professional sprint champion George McNeill.

The Selkirk club is to make a donation to the Royal Signals Association from money raised at the event, in memory of former Selkirk RFC president Gus Boag.

l Selkirk players coached by Graham Marshall who have gone on to win international and national honours (for Scotland sides, unless stated):

Lee Jones, Alan Clark (Hong Kong), Scott Jeffrey, Darren Hoggan, Scott Tomlinson, Andrew Renwick, Colin Wood, Fraser Harkness, Michael Rutherford, Ewan MacDougall, Aaron McColm, Nyle Godsmark and Ryan Godsmark (Belgium).

Ciaran Beattie, Callum Marshall, Angus Duckett, Gavin Craig, Mhairi Grieve, David Nichol, Ally Lyall, Fraser Irvine, Grant Ruthven, Josh Welsh, Scott Hendrie, Craig Hunter (Scotland RL ‘A’ team) and Steven Laurie.