FOLLOWING the disappointment of season 2015/2016, which saw Selkirk relegated from the BT Premiership, the club’s new president, Rob Forrest, says he’s confident the current squad of players will return to winning ways “and put a smile back on everybody’s faces”.

Mr Forrest was speaking at last Thursday’s AGM, held in the Philiphaugh Suite, after taking over the reins from outgoing Selkirk president Elliot Henderson. “As has been previously mentioned, last season was a hard one for the club as a whole, and our goal for the coming season is to get more fun back into the club,” said Mr Forrest.

“John Rutherford works tirelessly on many fronts for our club, but his most important task over the past few months has been getting our new coaching team together in his role as director of rugby. He has also had his work cut out to retain players for the new season, and I’m sure you’ll agree John has done a first-class job in this respect.”

Before relinquishing the presidency, Mr Henderson told the meeting: “We started the season full of heart and enthusiasm, but unfortunately the sheer physicality of Premiership rugby didn’t take long to raise its head.

"We had a stack of injuries, and unfortunately many were not quick fixes.”

He paid tribute to former director of rugby Cameron Cochrane who “did a great job in difficult circumstances”, and praised the efforts of the Selkirk players: “At no time did they throw in the towel, no matter what the score, giving their all right to the last minute.

“One good thing that has come out of this year is our fantastic new changing rooms, which will make our club one of the very best equipped in the UK.”

In conclusion he thanked Rob Forrest for his support as vice-president, club secretary Ian Walker and the management team for all their efforts - especially John Rutherford for his tireless work.

He also thanked all the other club office-bearers and volunteers, sponsors and gatemen, making special mention of the tea ladies’ success in raising £1700 for club funds.

The club’s annual accounts were presented by finance convener George Thomson. He told members the past 12 months had proved particularly difficult, only resulting in a small surplus thanks to a significant drop in income from the previous year.

He paid tribute to treasurer Bruce Armstrong for the huge amount of time and effort he put into the financial side of the club, keeping the management committee bang up to date with monthly reports and maintain tight control of budgets.

Club steward Les Mallin and his staff were thanked for all their hard work throughout the year, with club shop manager Alison Cullen praised for her commitment and conscientiousness.

The meeting agreed to keep club subscriptions at the same level, these having been increased the previous year. The rates are: Players, £77; non-playing members, £85; family £110; senior citizens, £49; juniors & Rhinos, £10.

Two new members were elected to the committee – Euan Hastie and David Nichol – while tribute was paid to the great service given to the club over the years by ex-president Norman Douglas, who is stepping down from the committee because of pressure of work.

New office-bearers were elected as follows: President, Rob Forrest; senior vice-president, Benny Rafferty; junior vice-president, Colin Anderson; chairman, John Rutherford.

Secretary, Ian Walker; treasurer, Bruce Armstrong; fixtures/match secretary, Mary Inglis; membership secretary, Gilbert Findlater; development club, Alison Cullen; international tickets, Donald Macleod.

1st XV captain, Ross Nixon; vice-captain, Ewan MacDougall; 1st XV head coach, Graham Marshall; assistant coaches, Kieran Cooney, Michael Jaffray & Fraser Jack; team manager, Tom Ramage. ‘A’ XV head coach, Brian Cassidy; forwards coach, Neil Darling; backs coach, Jason Hendrie; team manager, John Smail.

Development officer, Kieran Cooney.

Conveners – Sponsorship, Ian Walker; property, Euan Hastie; ground, Andy White; finance, George Thomson; director of rugby, John Rutherford; sevens, John Rutherford; hospitality, Mick Craig & Elliot Henderson.

Club steward, Les Mallin; club doctor, Jeff Cullen; physiotherapists, Ryan Crockatt and John Watt; club shop manager, Alison Cullen; Friends of Selkirk, George Thomson, development club, Alison Cullen; groundsman, Brian Cassidy; child protection officer, Colin Anderson.

Committee – R. Forrest, B. Rafferty, E. Henderson, M. Craig, J. Rutherford, E. Forster, I. Walker, B. Armstrong , D. Henderson, W. Bryson, G. Thomson , M. Inglis, W. Jackson, D. Rodgerson, A. Pearce, A. Boag, B. Duffy, N. Bihel, J. Hume, E. Hastie, D. Nichol, G. Findlater, D. Macleod, A. White, C. Anderson.