And the 37-year-old is loving every minute of leading the attack for his home village of Gordon.

The former utility back, who ended his rugby career in March, 2012, at Kelso, is into his second season with the round ball.

Kevin told us: “It’s a great crack at Gordon – they’re a great bunch of boys. The village is really buzzing just now with the football and it’s good to be involved.

“Football is a lot kinder on the body than rugby and that’s how I can still play. There was no way I could have kept playing rugby at my age – the body doesn’t allow it.” Utterson was a former captain of the Border Reivers and also starred for Edinburgh during his pro years – earning two starts and a cap from the bench for his country. It’s a long way from the Stade de France and Twickenham to the wind-swept Stewart Park.

But the goals have been flying in for Utterson since he changed codes – and he’s already had his hands on some silverware.

Gordon won promotion last season to Border Amateur Division B as well as the Sanderson Cup – which was paraded through the village on a tractor and trailer – and so far this term they’ve lifted the Wright Cup.

On Saturday they were knocked out of the Scottish Amateur Cup. But Utterson believes more trophies will arrive in the Berwickshire village. He added: “We have gone much further in the Scottish Cup than we thought although it’s still disappointing to go out.

“They were a good team and we wish them all the best in the next round.

“We still have the South Cup to play for and we have a lot of games in hand in the league. If we can win our games in hand we’ll be in with a good chance – the boys are all wanting to win this league.” Almost all of Craig Livingstone’s squad live in and around the village which only has a population of just over 400.

The manager admits he was shocked by the talents of his start striker. Craig said: “We knew Kevin was good at rugby but it was a pleasant surprise when he started scoring goals.

“He is a really good footballer and could have played at a much higher level. I think rugby’s loss is Gordon’s gain.”