Benny is guest of honour at lunch
FOR the past 30 years, Benny Rafferty has probably kicked every rugby ball in Selkirk.
From his days at the High School through all the ranks to the 1st XV at Philiphaugh, Benny has been a stalwart of the game in the town.
And before he moved to Jedburgh Grammar School at the start of this term, he has seen hundreds of boys make their way through the ranks.
It's a notable achievement worthy of recognition and 1st XV players still cross the street or shout "Hi Mr Rafferty".
So ahead of the match against Watsonians on Saturday, the Friends of Selkirk invited Benny and his wife, Ev, to the pre-match lunch to recognise the commitment he has made to Selkirk rugby.
"It was a great occasion and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there," he said.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the boys and I am pleased to see the club in Premiership 1 and hope that they stay there.
"The lunch came as a bit of a surprise and we both had a great time. But maybe I was 'ambushed' a bit!"
Deputy head teacher and head coach Graham Marshall explained: "Benny was at one time a bus conductor, then taught at Deans Community School, Livingston where Jim Telfer was depute head teacher.
"However, while at college, Benny had met Ev and it was this love interest that inspired an application for the post of technical teacher in Selkirk High School.
"Benny soon became involved in rugby both at the High School and at Philiphaugh.
"He turned out anywhere in the forwards for a range of Selkirk teams after organising and at times refereeing school teams on a Saturday morning."
After a few years at the High School, Benny became a guidance teacher, but he continued his involvement in high school rugby and for around the last 15 years has formed an excellent coaching partnership with George Jack, the former rector.
Marshall added: "On behalf of Selkirk rugby and the many players who have come through the High School we would like to thank Benny for this outstanding commitment to rugby in the town."
His former High School boss, retired rector George Jack, who was at the lunch, added: "In these days of professionally-paid rugby players, Benny did it all for nothing.
"That is the measure of the man. The boys who he taught at the high school still chat to him in the street and he thoroughly enjoyed the lunch."
Also at the lunch were surviving members of the 1950s sevens-winning side.
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Weather for Selkirk
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
