Gary Callander dead at 62: Former Scotland rugby captain passes away as former club Kelso say he will be ‘sorely missed’
FORMER Scotland rugby union captain Gary Callander has died aged 62.
Callander represented his country six times between 1984-88, captaining the side in five of those appearances.
In his club career Callander played as a hooker for Kelso and helped them to the Scottish First Division Championship in 1988.
In the same year he captained Scotland to a 24-11 win over France at Murrayfield.
He was just as successful playing sevens, twice reaching the Hong Kong sevens final for Co-optimists and the Scottish Border Club, beating the All Blacks along the way on one occasion.
Once his playing career came to an end Callander returned to Kelso as a coach.
Between 1991-2007 he coached a number of teams including Gala and Watsonians.
Former club Kelso released a statement which reads: “He achieved the ultimate accolade of captaining his country for five of his six international caps.
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“He was a captain, leader and an outstanding rugby player. He will be sorely missed by his “rugby family”
“Our thoughts are with Gary’s family and friends at this sad and difficult time.
“May he rest in peace.”
Kelso president Scott Forbes added: “Gary’s contribution to the history of the club cannot be overstated.”