By Gary Heatly
Watsonian Football Club was saddened to hear of the passing of former player Gordon MacRaild aged 56.
A second-rower often known as ‘Big Bird’, he joined Watsonians from Haddington in 1995 when he was 25 and played at Myreside for three seasons.
In a previous interview carried out for club archive purposes he said of those times: “My main memories were playing second-row with Stuart Grimes who went on to win many Scotland caps and I also remember being second-row behind Tom Smith.
“It was great to play with some fantastic players back then, many who went on to play for Scotland. It was also great to play with some of my ex-Haddington colleagues John Kerr, Grant McKelvey, John Waddell and Gordon Dickson at the club.
“My main memory was socialising with my fellow players after the games.”
His time at the club coincided with a successful period and in 1996 he was part of the nine-man squad that famously won the Melrose Sevens.
Due to the form of Tom Smith, Cammy Mather, Gordon Hannah, Neil Burnett, Duncan Hodge, captain Scott Hastings and Paul Raeburn on the day, MacRaild and Grant McKelvey never got on the pitch that day at The Greenyards, but they were part of it and enjoyed the celebrations!
“My memories of that day are mainly shock at how well the guys played as Watsonians were not renowned as a great sevens team back then,” he said previously.
“Everything seemed to click into place on the day. Unfortunately, I did not get to play, but it was a great experience to be involved. Andrew Ker, who was the coach on the day, was key, having been a fantastic sevens player himself with Kelso.
“Gordon Hannah’s performance was awesome, he had the heart of a lion.”
Our thoughts are with Gordon’s friends and family at this time.
For those wishing to pay their respects to Gordon MacRaild the funeral will take place on August 28 at 2pm at Mortonhall Crematorium.
The wake will then be on the same day at 3pm at the Fingal Hotel, Alexandra Dock, Leith.
Family and friends are warmly welcome to join the family to remember and celebrate his life and the family want to say thank you to everyone for your kindness, support and messages during this difficult time.
