Border Reivers (rugby union): Difference between revisions
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Scottish Borders Rugby was created in the [[The South (Rugby)|South district]] to compete in the [[Heineken Cup]]. |
Scottish Borders Rugby was created in the [[The South (Rugby)|South district]] to compete in the [[Heineken Cup]]. |
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Then financial difficulties - the SRU's high debt, partly as a result of the redevelopment of [[Murrayfield Stadium|Murrayfield]] - called for retrenchment. After two seasons, financial difficulties forced the Union to merge the four teams into two. The now renamed "Border Reivers" merged with Edinburgh to form a team to be known as Edinburgh Reivers, causing outrage with |
Then financial difficulties - the SRU's high debt, partly as a result of the redevelopment of [[Murrayfield Stadium|Murrayfield]] - called for retrenchment. After two seasons, financial difficulties forced the Union to merge the four teams into two. The now renamed "Border Reivers" merged with Edinburgh to form a team to be known as Edinburgh Reivers, causing outrage with many [[Scottish Borders|Border]] rugby fans. |
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They were resurrected in 2002 as 'The Borders' and joined the second season of the [[Celtic League (Rugby Union)|Celtic League]]. |
They were resurrected in 2002 as 'The Borders' and joined the second season of the [[Celtic League (Rugby Union)|Celtic League]]. |
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===Disbandment=== |
===Disbandment=== |
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[[Image:Reivers_season.JPG|right|thumb|Border Reivers Season Ticket, 2006/07]] |
[[Image:Reivers_season.JPG|right|thumb|Border Reivers Season Ticket, 2006/07]] |
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[[Image:Reivers tickets.jpg|right|thumb|Reivers ticket stubs]] |
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On 27 March 2007 [[Scottish Rugby Union]] announced the Reivers are to disband at the end of the current season as a cost cutting exercise [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/scottish/6498449.stm]. Some claim that the Reivers suffer due to the SRU's determination, despite poor crowds and results, to make rugby a success in [[Glasgow]] (a city traditionally where [[Football (soccer)|Football]] has always been the most popular sport). Several Borders players are to be transferred to [[Glasgow Warriors]] at the end of the season. |
On 27 March 2007 [[Scottish Rugby Union]] announced the Reivers are to disband at the end of the current season as a cost cutting exercise [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/scottish/6498449.stm]. Some claim that the Reivers suffer due to the SRU's determination, despite poor crowds and results, to make rugby a success in [[Glasgow]] (a city traditionally where [[Football (soccer)|Football]] has always been the most popular sport). Several Borders players are to be transferred to [[Glasgow Warriors]] at the end of the season. |
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Revision as of 15:51, 14 May 2007
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| Full name | Border Reivers | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 | ||
| Location | Galashiels, Scotland | ||
| Ground(s) | Netherdale (Capacity: 6,000) | ||
| Coach(es) | Steve Bates | ||
| League(s) | Magners League | ||
| 2006-07 | 11th | ||
| |||
- See also Border Reivers for the historical background.
Border Reivers, Originally known as 'Scottish Borders Rugby' are one of three professional teams in Scotland, Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors being the other two.
Border Reivers will play in the Celtic League, Celtic Cup and the Heineken Cup in the 2006/07 season. They play their home matches at Netherdale (capacity circa 6,000) in Galashiels.
History
Rugby union in the Borders Regions
Borders Rugby has many long and proud traditions. The Border League was the first rugby union league to be set up anywhere in the world, and a select South team used to regularly compete against Touring sides from the Southern Hemisphere
Many Borders clubs are helped train and nurture many of Scotland’s current internationals.
Border Reivers and Borders Rugby
When the Heineken Cup was suggested SRU officials were concerned that the existing and long established Scottish semi-professional club sides could not compete against the best teams from France and England and that by establishing district sides they would be more capable of advancing Professionalism within Scottish Rugby
Scottish Borders Rugby was created in the South district to compete in the Heineken Cup.
Then financial difficulties - the SRU's high debt, partly as a result of the redevelopment of Murrayfield - called for retrenchment. After two seasons, financial difficulties forced the Union to merge the four teams into two. The now renamed "Border Reivers" merged with Edinburgh to form a team to be known as Edinburgh Reivers, causing outrage with many Border rugby fans.
They were resurrected in 2002 as 'The Borders' and joined the second season of the Celtic League.
Since their return as a team in 2002, the Borders failed to make an impression in any competition, finishing bottom of the Celtic League in the 03/04 and 04/05 seasons but after reverting back to the name "Border Reivers" they made a strong start this campaign beating both Scottish rugby rivals Edinburgh and reigning champions the Ospreys
Disbandment
On 27 March 2007 Scottish Rugby Union announced the Reivers are to disband at the end of the current season as a cost cutting exercise [1]. Some claim that the Reivers suffer due to the SRU's determination, despite poor crowds and results, to make rugby a success in Glasgow (a city traditionally where Football has always been the most popular sport). Several Borders players are to be transferred to Glasgow Warriors at the end of the season.
Following the decision by the SRU to disband the Borders Reivers, the Border Reivers Action Group was formed to fight against the disbandment.[1]
However in April 2007, the Borders Rugby Action Group conceded defeat as the SRU insisted there would be no finance available from the governing body. The action group will now aim to resurrect the team in 2008.[2]
Notable players
- Chris Cusiter (Scrum Half)
- Simon Danielli (Wing)
- Gary Armstrong (Scrum Half, retired 2004)
- Gregor Townsend (Fly Half)
- Kelly Brown (Flanker)
- Nick De Luca (Centre)
- Ben McDougal (Centre)
- Scott MacLeod (Lock)
- Nikki Walker (Wing)
- Tanner Vili (Samoa) (Fly Half/Full Back)
- Semo Sititi (Samoa) (No.8)
- Opeta Palepoi (Samoa) (Lock)
- Bruce Douglas (Prop)
- Gavin Kerr (Prop)
- Ross Ford (Hooker)
Notable coaches
See also
External links
- Official site
- Unofficial Supporters Club site
- Borders secure Heineken spot with record victory - The Scotsman, May 27, 2006
- Border Reivers video vault on Channel XV
- Scottish rugby union fans forum
- savebordersrugby.com
- ^ Smith, Duncan (2007-04-03). "SRU board stands by its man". thescotsman.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2007-04-03.
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