Mike Baillie talks to Simon Furnivall

Boroughmuir fixtures secretary Mike Baillie is part of one of the fondest memories anyone has at the club. Mike was a key member of the one and only ’Muir team to win the Melrose 7s tournament. The silver-haired scrum-half still remembers it well, “It will always be one of my best memories of the club. It was such a great day for everyone and I don’t think anyone who was there, player or fan, will forget it, at least not until the next time we win it.

Mike has been at the club since 1967 and the player he most enjoyed playing with was former British Lion Bruce Hay, “He was simply fantastic. Someone who you could really enjoy playing with and despise playing against. My toughest opponent though was fellow scrum-half Dougie Morgan, the head-to-heads between us were always very tight”.

In his 34 years at the club, Mike has occupied many positions, “I started in the second team and it wasn’t until I was in my mid-twenties that I seriously broke into the first team. I stayed there for quite a few years but after I dropped down the teams, I probably played on a little too long. Not that I didn’t enjoy it though, I just outstayed my welcome a bit. Once I had finally retired, I helped out with the seconds and had two stints coaching the Under 18s. I became fixtures secretary a long time ago and this season I’m back helping with the 2nds, hopefully making Arthur Ross’ life a little easier.”

Like many at the club, Mike has confidence in the 1^st XV’s chances of success this season, “I think we’ve got to win the league this season and I think we will. With the potential development hopefully coming along soon, it really is important that we win this season but with the exciting style of play we have, I believe it’s possible. I don’t know about the cup, it may be sacrificed for the league but it would be something special if we could do the double.”

With so many players vying for professional contracts in the modern era, Mike, unlike many, does not think professionalism would have suited him. “For me rugby is the fun side of life. You work during the day and then at weekends, rugby is the release for any pent up aggression. I wouldn’t have liked to have got the two mixed up, I don’t think it would have suited me”. However he does share the opinion that professionalism has been a mixed blessing to rugby. “It had to happen or the game would have gone under but, particularly here in Scotland, it has definitely had its bad points. Admittedly the players are fitter and stronger now but I believe that there has been a big loss of team spirit, although that is not as noticeable at this club.”

Mike believes that the future of this club can be very rosy, “If we come through the period of the development in a good position then I think we can stay at the top of Scottish rugby for a very long time. During the development period we may have to find another home for a year or so and if we can stay in the top division in that time then I think we will be very strong. It also depends on how we adapt to life after Iain and Sean. They are both very good coaches and it is silly to pretend that they will be around forever and how well we do in the future, I believe, depends on how well we replace those two. If we get the right people in , I think we’ll be strong for a very long time.”

As one of the 1976 Melrose 7s winning side, Mike will always be remembered by those ’Muir fans who were in and around the club at the time. However more and more over the past years, Mike is becoming known as a friendly and likeable character, always up for a laugh. That was epitomised lat May when, unknown to him, he was at the centre of an elaborate plot to hijack him and take him on the tour of Belfast. His appearance on that tour, along with 2nds centre Kevin Robertson, fully kitted out in ladies underwear only added to the legend. Characters like Mike are needed in club rugby, particularly at this club and Mike and his personality will always be welcome at Boroughmuir.

Simon Furnivall