THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS
DAVID FERGUSON
IT MAY have looked like one old friend helping out another, but the chief executive of the Scottish Rugby Union insisted yesterday that it was his former employer Sir David Murray who made the first move in the new sponsorship deal that will see the name 'Murray' appear on the national team's jerseys.

Gordon McKie was head-hunted in 1993 from the TSB's corporate division to become managing director of Murray's Mimtech Electronics, which he helped to make profitable before Murray sold it off in 1997.

McKie said yesterday: "Obviously, from my time there I knew David was passionate about his sport, and liked his rugby, but it was actually him who contacted me over this.

"I'm absolutely delighted he did. It's fantastic news for Scottish rugby just before the team heads off to France for the World Cup and it is particularly pleasing that we have replaced one of Scotland's best known brands with one of Scotland's best known entrepreneurs who is passionate about all Scottish sport."

McKie added that the money would not go directly to the Scotland squad, but into the pot to be spent across the sport in Scotland, stating: "Being able to conclude this deal allows us to continue to invest in the sport and hopefully get more people playing the game, get kids active, off the streets, reduce crime, promote healthy lifestyle, and ultimately these guys will come through the system, from academies to the pro game and then one day play for Scotland."

The sealing of a sponsorship deal represents a major achievement for McKie, who has been trying to attract a replacement for The Famous Grouse for several months.

Joining Murray at yesterday's announcement was Jason White, the Scotland captain. "I just met David [Murray] two minutes ago and to hear somebody who is such a well-known personality in Scotland make such a big pledge to get behind sport is great," said White, who has previously urged the nation's movers and shakers to invest in Scottish sport for the benefit of the whole country.

"We have a lot of really successful businessmen in Scotland and if we could get one or two more people to come on board, then, hopefully, we can drive the standard of coaching, role models for kids and performers at the elite level can really come forward and stand us in good stead for the future.

"With facilities, for example, we're miles behind, so hopefully this is one step to taking things forward for us."

This article was posted on 4-Sep-2007, 07:09 by Hugh Barrow.