Funeral arrangements are confirmed as follows:
A Thanksgiving Service for Eric will be held on Tuesday 3rd September at Hartree Mill, Biggar at 1.30pm.
NO flowers please.
There will be a retiring collection in aid of a chosen charity.
It is with great sadness that the club announces the death of Eric Shearer who passed away yesterday (Saturday 24th August).
A real Biggar RFC club man, and one who epitomised the 'One Club, One Family' mantra, Eric came to Biggar initially as a player some 30 years ago. His playing days were restricted by work commitments but he took on a wide variety of roles within the club. He will, arguably, be best remembered for taking the girls section to the top of the Girls game in Scotland and coaching the U15's to National Cup winners for an unprecedented 3 seasons (2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17).
His efforts at all levels were very much appreciated by all those whom he helped and coached, including parents and club members but importantly by a wider audience as well when in 2018 he was a delighted winner of Clydesdale District Sports Council Coach of the Year.
Presented at the annual Sports Personality of the Year evening at The Cartland Bridge, this recognition was thoroughly deserved and, as befits someone who was particularly self-effacing, was accepted humbly, Eric preferring to highlight the efforts of the girls in his squads. He was also short-listed for the South Lanarkshire award.
All the more remarkably, the successes of season 2017/18 were achieved whilst Eric underwent treatment for cancer, this leading to his retirement from coaching that year.
Eric's approach to his treatment was full on and he fought bravely with no complaint. Having 'recovered', and still mad keen to be involved in some way with the workings of the club, Eric took up the role of touch-judge last season for the 1st XV in their Championship winning run whilst also handling the organisation and management of the training pitch rota as the club took over the new pitches at Hartree Mill.
This is but a snapshot of the things Eric was involved with. There are a host of items around Hartree Mill which he created, built or mended - nothing was too much trouble for him. His response, whenever he was thanked for his efforts was that helping the club was 'just what you do if you are a club member'.
Eric was admitted to the Kello Hospital a number of weeks ago with a regular band of welcome visitors at his bed. He will be sadly missed by all at Biggar RFC, not least by the girls whose involvement within rugby is his legacy.
All our thoughts are with his family, especially his daughters Fiona and Kathryn.
