But Saturday's match was just the first step in remembering Clive.
Saturday's match versus Kelso was the first time Watsonian FC and Kelso played for the Clive Millar Cup, and unfortunately for us, Kelso took the trophy back to Poynder Park, but Clives memory will now live on in these annual fixtures.
Clive sadly lost his battle with cancer in November 2022, and as a player that played for both Watsonians and Kelso, it was felt that a trophy in memory and name of the former flanker would make a fitting tribute.
Clive made his debut for Watsonians on their tour of Devon in August 1982 after leaving George Watson's College that summer and joined his brothers Bruce (wing) and Keith (flanker), who also played at Myreside.
The farming brothers and their extended family often congregated in the Myreside Pavilion after games under the watchful eye of their father, George and mother, Sheena.
In the 1998/1989 season, Clive joined Kelso and scored the winning try against Ayr for Kelso at the Melrose 7s in April 1989. Further success followed when Kelso won the Scottish League Championship in the 1988/1989 season.
Clive also Captained Kelso when they won the Division 2 Championship in 1992. Clive went on to play over 160 times for the Borders outfit and represented Edinburgh, South of Scotland and invitational 7s teams, including the Co-Optimists.
In thanks to the fantastic support both Clive and also Gavin Hagart, who passed recently, received, Kelso RFC Vice President and former player Eric Paxton has planned a fundraising walk. The charity walk will be from Myreside to Poynder Park, Kelso, over the weekend of Saturday, 17th & Sunday, June 18th.
Walkers will be encouraged to do as much of the walk as possible, but given the distance (52 miles), the organisers are splitting the walk into smaller sections so that you can choose a length that suits you across the weekend.
Participants will be asked to raise a minimum of £30, with proceeds to be split between the Margaret Kerr Unit at the Borders General Hospital and St Columba's Hospice. Both cancer charities have supported many Watsonians and Kelso members in end-of-life care.
Walkers will be offered light refreshments on the way and transport will be provided to ferry walkers back to their original start points once they have completed their preferred section. On completion of the walk at Poynder Park on Sunday, June 18th, a picnic will be held, which all friends and family are encouraged to attend.
Eric and Scott will join us today (Saturday, March 4th) at Myreside to launch the walk during halftime and Clive's widow, Hazel, will also attend to present the Clive Millar Cup to the winning Captain. Clive's wife Hazel and their three children Holly, Brogan and Cameron intend to walk the full distance.
Discussing the walk and how the fund will help, Hazel said:
"Cancer is not fussy about who it attacks and that just being fit and healthy does not stop it impacting on your life. The Margaret Kerr unit looked after Clive and his family extremely well, we felt at times we were the only people they had to care for. The nurses and doctors treated us all with kindness and compassion. To us they are angels in uniform. At some point in our lives cancer will affect us or someone dear to us I would like to encourage as many of you as possible to support this cause. Every donation big or small can make a huge difference."
The route is still being finalised and anyone interested in joining in with the walk to email Eric at: epaxtonagri@talktalk.net.
