SIXTEEN years after making his first team debut in the maroon jersey, Martin ‘Megs’ Christie has retired from playing rugby due to a combination of injuries.

The announcement was made on Gala RFC’s website and since then the popular prop forward has received many messages of goodwill from supporters.

He told us: “I came to the decision to stop playing a couple of weeks ago. I bulged a disk in my neck last year which resulted in pins and needles in my right hand, that compounded with my degenerative knee has sealed the deal.

"Rugby has been a big part of my life and I’ll miss playing and the patter with the boys, although maybe not the long drives from Edinburgh to train on freezing cold Tuesday and Thursday nights.

“I have completed my Level 2 coaching badges and had hoped to coach the scrums and assist with him the forwards at Gala, but there is huge demand for my line of work at the moment which means I will take some time out of the game. I will definitely go into coaching when the time is right.

“I was born and bred in Gala and made my debut for the first team when I was 18 when the club was in Premier One. I came on as a sub for George Graham in my first game. That was January 2005 and I was lucky enough to play around 100 games before having a gap year in Australia where I picked up a bad knee injury. I was out of the game for three years but thankfully I found a surgeon who tried a pioneering knee treatment which involved a meniscus transplant from a cadaver. I then returned to play for Gala in 2013 but work commitments resulted in me moving to Edinburgh and joining Watsonians where I spent four great seasons."

However, Christie returned to Gala four years ago and he says he "would have liked one last season at the club".

He added: "There is nothing better than winning in front of a packed Netherdale. It’s such a great place to play. Gala still get amongst the best crowds in the game and that pitch is the best in the country.

“There is a good feeling at the club right now. Frazer (Thomson) and the coaches are doing a great job and I’ll be keeping an eye on their results.

“I have some great memories playing with top players, too many to name. Career highlights for me were playing almost 200 games for Gala and winning the player of the year trophy a couple of seasons back. I am also proud to have captained Watsonians for two seasons, one which involved winning the National One title.”

A statement on Gala RFC's website reads: “All at Netherdale from Gala Rugby would like to wish Martin Christie (Megs) all the best for the future having taken the decision to hang up his boots. Megs has been a great servant of the club.”