Border Telegraph | Sport | John Rutherford

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Tuesday, 18th October, 2005 10:34

John Rutherford - this is your life

By Border Telegraph Sport

IT took 15 months of secret planning, the flying in of some of rugby’s great names, and a few warm words from Princess Anne.

But John Rutherford has finally been honoured by the club he’s supported all his life.

The 50-year-old former Scotland fly-half, for once, failed to see this one coming.

And on Saturday night the famous Grand Slam team of 1984, fellow members of the British Lions 1983 tour of New Zealand, and friends and family from all over the world came together at the Victoria Hall.

Television presenter Dougie Donnelly led the 42-times capped stand-off through his very own ‘This is Your Life’.

And one-by-one old friends and playing colleagues emerged from behind the curtain.

John told the Border Telegraph: “How they kept the whole thing a secret is amazing. I went along for the rugby club dinner, and was thoroughly enjoying myself.

“The dinner was almost over, and I was just thinking what a great night it’s been, then a spotlight shone on me and Dougie Donnelly was standing behind me with the big red book.

“I appreciate all the effort that has been made. It’s a night a will always remember.”

Between 1979 and 1984 John Rutherford established himself as one of the best stand-offs in the world.

And is still widely regarded as the best Scotland has produced.

But it wasn’t only his playing skills that were celebrated on Saturday night.

Selkirk Rugby Club also wanted to say its own thank you for the decades of service and support he has offered.

Club chairman Dennis Henderson told the Border Telegraph: “The whole evening was a big thanks for all John has done at Selkirk. He remained loyal to his home club when he could have gone anywhere in the world to play.

“Even after his playing days were over John has continued to work hard for the club.”

Dennis Henderson arrived at the This is Your Life idea after rugby stalwart David Bell had attended a similar function in Wales.

The chairman spoke to former British Lion David Irwin in Ireland, former Scotland scrum-half Roy Laidlaw, and John’s wife, Alison, and the plan started to take shape.

Former internationalist Gordon Hunter became involved to organize the 1984 Grand Slam team’s secret reunion.

And they decided to host a sports dinner as a front for the celebration.

Only a handful of the 200 supporters who turned up on Saturday knew what was in store.

Mr Henderson added: “Our main speaker Gareth Edwards was in on what was going on, as was our other speakers, BBC presenter Dougie Donnelly, and hockey internationalist Janet Jack.

“The surprise element was the most exciting thing for me. We had around 20 rugby greats hidden in a Selkirk hotel while everyone thought they were at a sports dinner.

“Thankfully everything came together – it was a great night.”

The affection and high regard in which John is held by so many people was underlined by the distances the surprise guests had travelled to take part in the ‘This is your Life’ show.

First to come out from behind the stage curtains was schoolboy friend Brian Bateman, who now lives in Sussex, followed by the best man at John and Alison’s wedding, Duncan Swinbanks, from the Isle of Mull.

A video made by John’s former colleagues at George Watson’s College in Edinburgh was then shown, after which Roy Laidlaw took centre stage, followed John’s former Selkirk international team-mates Gordon Hunter, Iain Paxton and Iwan Tukalo.

Moments later John’s jaw dropped further in amazement when three of his team-mates from the British Lions’ 1983 tour of New Zealand came out to greet him - Ollie Campbell, David Irwin and Trevor Ringland.

The audience’s loudest roar came when 11 more members of the 1984 Scotland Grand Slam team suddenly materialised on the stage – skipper Jim Aitken, Roger Baird, John Beattie, Colin Deans, Peter Dods, Euan Kennedy, David Leslie, Iain Milne, Jim Pollock, Keith Robertson and Norrie Rowan.

Other guests included former Scotland team doctor Donald Macleod and physio Dave McLean, French journalist Richard Escot and his wife Gabby, ex-Scotland centre Alan Tait, plus John’s business partners, Gordon Sutherland and Dave Taylor.

The biggest surprise of an evening of escalating shocks came when John’s younger brother Billy, who now lives in the south of Spain, appeared from behind the curtains with his partner Dunia for an emotional reunion.

It was left to Gareth Edwards to finally bring proceedings to a close when he presented John with a portrait in oils, commissioned by Selkirk Rugby Club, to commemorate the remarkable evening.

In addition to the stage show, a special ‘John Rutherford Tribute’ brochure had been printed, containing testimonials from leading figures from throughout the rugby world. These included SRU patron HRH The Princess Royal, BBC commentator Bill McLaren, ex-internationalists Mark Ella (Australia), Rob Andrew (England), Pierre Villepreux (France), Stu Wilson (New Zealand) and Gareth Davies (Wales), as well appreciations written by Norman Mair and Jim Telfer.

During the dinner former Scotland and British Lions star Ian McLauchlan had agreed to auction two items on the Selkirk club’s behalf – a signed Scotland jersey donated by coach Frank Hadden, and a day’s celebrity golf at Luffness. Successful bids totalling £860 were taken, and this money will be donated by Selkirk RFC to Jonny Mitchell, the North Berwick player who suffered a serious neck injury playing against Hawick Linden in September.

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