07/09/2026
RED LETTER DAY FOR SELKIRK CRICKET CLUB,
AS ANNIVERSARY YEAR ENDS ON HIGH NOTE
The climax of Selkirk Cricket Club’s 175th anniversary celebrations was reached on Friday night, when 180 members and guests packed a marquee at Philiphaugh to hear a line-up of top speakers pay tribute to the club’s historic milestone.
The dinner was chaired by Selkirk president John Smail, who said the club’s members and supporters were extremely lucky to be part of an organisation still thriving after 175 years.
“This club only works because of the commitment and enthusiasm shown by the kind of people who are gathered here tonight,” he said. “Having our home at one of the country’s most beautiful cricket grounds means we’re doubly blessed.”
What made the anniversary dinner extra special, was the presence of a nine-strong Selkirk Silver Band Ensemble who, along with guest vocalist Erin Highton, gave the first public performance of Selkirk composer Alan Fernie’s new arrangement of the Roy Harper song “When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease”.
The evening got off to a flying start when well-known TV sports presenter Jill Douglas - who began her career in journalism as a junior reporter on the Selkirk-based “Southern Reporter” newspaper – proposed the toast to ‘This Sporting Life’.
Jill, who became the UK’s first female rugby presenter when fronting BBC’s ‘Rugby Special’ programme, told guests she had covered six Olympic Games, seven Commonwealth Games, five Rugby World Cups, in addition to a host of snooker and cycling events.
She said Borderers could be justifiably proud of the region’s tremendous sporting heritage, proceeding to list the names of local athletes and players who had all made their mark on the world stage.
Jill was instrumental in setting up the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, and now serves as the charity’s patron. She said she continues to be amazed by the overwhelming support the Borders community continues to give the organisation, whose aim is to see a world free of motor neurone disease (MND)
The reply to Jill’s toast came from George McNeill, the former runner who in 1972 won the world professional sprint title, defeating American Olympic 200m champion Tommie Smith in a four-race series.
His self-deprecating anecdotes about life in the fast lane, coupled with wildly entertaining stories about life in general and Tranent in particular, had his audience rolling in the isles.
The toast to ‘Selkirk Cricket Club’ was proposed by George Salmond, head of the junior school at George Watson's College, who captained the Scotland cricket team no fewer than 104 times.
This puts him in the same elite group of sportsmen as South African cricket captain Graeme Smith, who captained his country in 109 test matches, and New Zealand rugby legend Richie McCaw, who captained the All Blacks in 111 tests.
He congratulated Selkirk on achieving 175 unbroken years, adding that cricket clubs have a major role to play in unifying their local communities and introducing generations of players to the possibilities the game can open up.
George named several of Selkirk Cricket Club’s present-day volunteers who continue to work tirelessly to keep the club on an even keel, and wished the club every success in the years ahead.
The reply to his toast came from Selkirk CC member Alex Massie, who first represented the club on the field in the late 1980s, and continues to don his playing kit whenever needed.
A celebrated writer of political columns for “The Times” and “The Sunday Times” newspapers, it was perhaps no surprise that Alex Massie gave a typically polished, off-the-cuff address, thanking all the representatives of fellow Border cricket clubs for coming along to help Selkirk celebrate its 175th anniversary.
Selkirk’s bar convener, Ann Fernie, rounded off a memorable evening by proposing a comprehensive vote of thanks to everyone involved, with a special mention going to the Selkirk Silver Band Ensemble and Erin Highton, for their musical excellence.
CAPTION
Top table guests at Selkirk’s anniversary dinner. Back row: George Salmond, George McNeill and Alex Massie. Seated: Jill Douglas, John Smail (chairman) and Ann Fernie.
