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I was saddened to hear today of Bruce's passing, and my
thoughts are very much with Linda, Lyndsey and the rest of the family.
I came to Boroughmuir as a green eighteen year old in Bruce's
last year as a player. I'd come across him as the coach of the national
under 18 team and like everybody else who met him was instantly struck by
his presence. I'd seen him play many times for Boroughmuir, Edinburgh and
Scotland and was aware of his commitment, skill and ability, but to play for
him and occasionally with him was truly an honour.
These days, words like "integrity" and "grit" are bandied
about, but Bruce had both in spades and lots more. All of us who knew him
are aware of what a hard guy he was but he was straight, honest and totally
committed to the club and the game in this country.
I'll also remember his sense of humour and fun, which was
never far from the surface. To Bruce, any injured player was an "eggshell"
and his wee sayings and quips are legendary. Spend any time at Meggetland or
with Boroughmuir players of a certain vintage and you'll hear phrases like
"inside ootside", "nae chip kicks" and "bump and stay big." All of these
were Bruce's stock phrases and they'll live on.
My own favourite was overhearing him talking to Tortu, a
Swiss guy that played a couple of seasons for us a few years back. Bruce was
explaining to him in the car park where we changed, where the pitch was and
where the changing rooms were. Tortu spoke perfect English, but Bruce
floored him by finishing his instructions by pointing in the direction of
the scrummaging machine and saying, "See you ower by."
Bruce commanded respect, not by asking for it, but by his
very presence. He was a tremendous example to every one of us and will be
hugely missed at Meggetland.
Grant Wilson |
