The Watsonian Football Club is pleased to announce that longstanding member and former player John McLellan has been appointed president, succeeding Richard Kelly after his highly successful four years in the post.
McLellan, 64, a former editor of the Edinburgh Evening News and Scotsman newspapers who still works as a news publishing industry representative, columnist and public relations consultant, joined the club in 1994 and made a handful of First XV appearances at prop, but played mainly in the social sides until finally retiring aged 50.
More recently he has been a match-day volunteer, and last year served as chair and vice president.
“It is a great honour to be asked to succeed Richard, who will be an extremely tough act to follow,” he said. “In ten years involvement in club management, Richard has worked tirelessly to maintain the club’s success, steering it through most of the Super6 years in which Watsonians maintained their tradition of championship-winning rugby, not forgetting the fantastic 150th anniversary celebrations”
“We face plenty of challenges, but I look forward to ensuring Watsonians remains a major force in Scottish club rugby, with a key role to play in the development of the internationals of the future.”
Originally from Glasgow where he attended Hutchesons’ Grammar School, McLellan played most of his senior rugby in England, with First XV appearances for Chester, Furness, Kendal and Northern FC.
“Rugby has been a very important part of my life and I’m intensely proud of my association with Watsonians, and it is a great privilege to be asked to lead such a historic sporting institution,” he added.
Also joining the senior management team is new vice president Colin Kidd, another former player and member of many years’ standing, and whose father Derek “Dizzy” Kidd was club captain in the 1960s. Colin, 65 is a director of James F Kidd Ltd, the family-founded catering and hygiene supplies business.
The appointments take place with immediate effect and are for a two-year period.
Kelly, who will continue to serve as immediate past president, said “I’m delighted the club’s leadership is passing to two stalwarts of the club who bring wide experience to the roles and understand the club’s importance both to Scottish rugby and the Watsonian community as a whole.”
John can be contacted at president@watsoniansrugby.com .