Rugby Club ISSUE 83 | Page 22

Greenock Wanderers FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG WEIR & M c CLAFFERTY DENTAL CARE Proud sponsors of Greenock Wanderers Rugby Club HEATING OILS GAS OIL For Domestic and Industrial For Plant and Machinery BOILER MAINTENANCE ...and repairs T: 01475 725399 E:[email protected] W: WWW.IMPERIALHEATINGOILS.COM Family dental practice, which has been established for over 25 years PREFERENTIAL RATES FOR SPORTS GUM SHIELDS Book your appointment today: 01475 630396 www.weirandmcclaffertydentalcare.com 122 Shore Street, Gourock, PA19 1QZ John Black has had a long and positive association with Greenock Wanderers RFC, is arguably one of their best ever players and is also the current club president. He recently told Rugby Club Magazine, “I have been associated with the club for many years and very much enjoyed my playing days and the many great friends I have made. I was away for a few years at Kilmacolm as president of Birkmyre RFC but after a conversation with Steven Haldane I decided to return. My business Imperila Heating Oils is also a club sponsor. The club have a great and hard-working committee that compliments the on-field play and so we were happy to help out.” “The club is one of the oldest in Scottish Rugby having celvrated our 145th anniversary last year. We always hope visitors will enjoy a warm welcome, a fiercely contested game and the facilities we have here. We have a facility here that is the envy of many a Club in Scotland. Our task, and that of our coaching staff, under VP of Rugby Steven Haldane is to produce a brand of rugby that matches the standard of that facility. “In recent years we have fallen from National 2 to our current position in West 1. Our goal last season was to stop the downward spiral and all credit goes to the players under our coaching team, led by Iain Forster in achieving that. An addition to the Forster household has meant that Iain decided to step down. We wish him and his all the best. “We were delighted to welcome back as Head Coach, Graham Knox. Graham, as local supporters will know, was the driving force behind Greenock attaining promotion to National 2 and his appointment has encouraged several players from that era to return. “Greenock Wanderers is all about youth development for obvious reason and so our academy and development officer are put to the best use. I have to say that the Scottish Rugby Union have been excellent, in particular Jen Griffin Regional Director for Scottish Rugby who has a good ear for not just listening but doing her best to implement suggestions. Paul Spella is a club sponsor and has been for over twenty years. He said, “I am good friends with club stalwart Gordon McTavish. Unfortunately, as my business is open at the weekend I don’t get down as often as I like plus I’m a passionate golfer and usually end up on the course when time allows. It is great to hear how well the club are doing. Best wishes to everyone for the remainder of the season; I recall the days when the club reached great heights from the lower divisions and hope they achieve this again and maintain it.” 22 Issue 83