THE HERALD REPORTS

Calder eager to help Scottish cause
KEVIN FERRIE, Chief Rugby Writer April 07 2009
Finlay Calder, one of the most charismatic and explosive characters in the sport's history, has confirmed that he will stand to become president of the Scottish Rugby Union with a typically stentorian rallying call.

The former British & Irish Lions captain echoed the words of Ian "Mighty Mouse" McLauchlan, his fellow Lion and former Scotland captain, who told The Herald last Saturday he is simply keen to lend his support in any way possible to those trying to lift the Scottish game.

However, Calder, whose name is being put forward by clubs from the Premiership divisions, also identified this as a key time in Scotland's history.


"We need to have our heads up, not only as a rugby nation, but as a nation full stop," he declared.

"We have been through this terrible business in the banking sector that has damaged our reputation internationally and in sport there's been this thing with the Rangers lads. We've got to get ourselves with our heads back up again."

A formidable figure in his playing days, Calder was given much of the credit for the Lions revival from 1-0 down in their three-match Test series in Australia in 1989 to 2-1 victors.

At the time, there were calls for him to be dropped, even though he was the squad captain, ironically in favour of Andy Robinson, who would subsequently be England's World Cup-winning coach and is now in charge of Edinburgh, the city in which Calder made his name.

Rather than retreat into his shell, the flanker responded by lifting his men to a performance of such vigour in the second Test that Australians whinge about it to this day.

Something of that quality is required in Scottish rugby right now, in the wake of the sacking of Frank Hadden as head coach and Calder - who stood down as Scotland captain after that tour but went on to play a leading role in the 1990 grand slam win - clearly knows it. As in Australia in 1989, he believes there is not too much wrong with the personnel but that a change in attitude is required.

"I was down at Twickenham for the Calcutta Cup match and it was just a superb occasion," he said.

"I thought Scotland were fantastic and we just lacked a little bit of confidence which could have produced a win that would doubtless have saved Frank."

Calder admits, self-deprecatingly, that he can be accused of over-optimism at times, but seeks to ground it in reality.

"It's an important point to keep in mind that whoever takes it on, whether it is Andy Robinson, Sean Lineen, Mike Brewer or they go for someone from outside, people have to recognise that it is a very difficult job," he said of taking charge of the Scotland team.

"If I bring anything though - and some would say it's a bit misplaced - I'd like to think I'm a confident person and that I can put that across."

The best part of two decades may have elapsed since his international playing days ended at the 1991 World Cup where Scotland reached their only semi-final, but Calder, who played for Melrose as well as Stewart's-Melville FP, has remained heavily involved in rugby, coaching at several clubs including Gala and Edinburgh Accies.

Like the aforementioned McLauchlan, his passion for Scottish rugby is intense and he would not have stood for the presidency against an individual that he, like most in Scottish rugby, refers to simply and almost reverentially as "Mouse".

"I agree with Mouse that we need more rugby people involved and with the likes of Gregor Townsend in there and Gordon Bulloch on the board they have moved towards that," said Calder.

"I think everybody would want Mouse to become president and I am more than pleased that he has said he will stand next year.

"Everyone recognises him not only for what he did on the pitch but as someone who has been successful in business and who also does a great deal of good with the likes of the Help For Heroes' campaign. Some will say it is not good for democracy, but I would hope his nomination will go through unchallenged."

The same cannot be said of Calder, who knows it is far from a foregone conclusion that he will be elected.

Two other candidates, the current president Jim Stevenson and former general committee member Jim Gracie are known to be standing. Calder will not be actively campaigning, which some will wrongly seize upon as complacent, whereas he merely views doing so as inappropriate for the office.

"I was extraordinarily flattered to be asked and while, when you get that first phone call, there is a moment when you wonder to yourself, it is just an honour to have been considered, let alone nominated by clubs," said Calder.

"It is also one thing to be nominated and another to be elected. However, I have told them if I can help in any way at all I'd be delighted to offer my assistance. I think what they want is a weel kent face."

That suggests many are much closer to sharing the vision of those who restructured the SRU's governance four years ago than the current president, who has put forward a proposal that would offer future incumbents an executive role.

Calder says he'd be happy to take on the office on an ambassadorial basis but would also be ready to take on greater involvement if, at this year's annual meeting, the clubs decide that is what is required.

Either way, what Scottish rugby can count on, if he is elected, is the goodwill of one whose motives cannot be questioned. As Calder put it: "Rugby football is who I am."

This article was posted on 7-Apr-2009, 07:10 by Hugh Barrow.