Last Saturdays trip to Dundee ended the club’s National League programme but it also broughtto an end Davy Wilson’s tenure as Biggar’s coach.
Davy came to Biggar as assistant coach to Kiwi Gary Mercer in 2016. The club had just been relegated to National 2. In their first season together their partnership saw Biggar finish in 7th spot and then 5th the following season 2017/18. Gary was in charge of defence while Davy took over the attack role; their dicussions as to which was more important were legend!
What was never in doubt was the success of this partnership. Season 2018/19 turned out to be a stand out season, Biggar taking the National 2 Championship in style.
Gary left to pursue a teaching career down south in the summer of 2019 and so Davy took over the mantle of head coach. In season 2019/20 Davy masterminded the campaign alongside assistant coaches Doug Fleming and Craig Borthwick. This matched the achievements of the previous season, Biggar storming through the league to take the Championship with 2 games to spare and with it promotionto the Premiership - a very rare double!
Sadly however, and with a decision that gets more ridiculous as the years pass, the SRU deemed the season to be null and void and cancelled all promotions and relegations.
Following the resumption of play in seaosn 2021/22 Biggar finished in 3rd and followed this up with a 6thin 2022/23. The season just past saw what was one of the worst starts ever but things improved dramatically and the club ended up in a creditable 7th spot.
An 8 year tenure is longer than most coaches enjoy, this clear testimony to the work Davy has accomplished. As one of Scotland’s best qualified and experienced coaches, Davy’s full time job was as Principal Teacher of PE at Kelvinside Academy where, amongst other duties, he was in charge of their rugby programme. In addition to all that he was also assistant coach with Super Six side Boroughmuir Bears. In short, Davy breathes, eats and sleeps rugby and we have been very fortunate to have had him as coach at Biggar.
Captain Andy Jardine made an excellent post-match vote of thanks to Davy for his time at the club, remarking that with just a couple of exceptions Davy had given all others present their first opportunity to play 1st XV rugby with Biggar.
Davy’s legacy, Andy explained, would not only be the 2 Championship titles but as importantly, the number of young players who have represented the club.
The club offers it’s grateful thanks to Davy for his work and wishes him all the very best in the future.
