Callander appointed Watsonians coach
April 3, 2001

Gary Callander has been appointed the new first team coach of Premiership strugglers Watsonians.

The former Scotland skipper has signed a three-year contract and will take up his post on April 14.

The Myreside club will be hoping Callander will reverse their fortunes after a torrid season which has seen them fail to secure a single victory after seeing a number of key players leave the club at the start of the campaign.

Director of rugby Scott Hastings has already signalled his intentions by recruiting former Scotland A man Darren Burns and Glasgow Caledonians' discard Martin Waite on two-year contracts.

Callander is the current coach of amateur district side Border Reivers and will be joined by Andrew Barnet, who has been recruited as strength and conditioning coach.

``Watsonians have really impressed me with their future vision and I am delighted to be back coaching such a famous club,'' said Callander.

``The fact that I am on board now means that I can have an input into pre-season plans.

``I am especially delighted that Watsonians have brought in two quality players in Darren and Martin and I am hopeful of attracting more players to Myreside because I believe the structure that they have in place is second to none.''

Although long consigned to life outside the top flight next term, Watsonians president Mike James believes today's announcement marks a new beginning for the famous Edinburgh club.

``We gave an undertaking to the players that we would have a new head coach in place by the end of the season,'' he said.

``Gary's leadership will hopefully see us return to the Premiership next season.''

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