Watsonian Football Club

Martin Macari: A WFC appreciation

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When people in rugby circles tell others that someone is a real ‘club man’ sometimes they are not quite sure what they mean.

Well, those who were lucky enough to meet Martin Macari know exactly what a ‘club man’ is. For Martin it was never about personal accolades or honours, it was about making sure that he did the best he could for WFC on and off the pitch. And boy did he do that.

Whether it was through his all-action performances for all teams in the men’s section from the first XV to the fourth XV, his busy tenure as club captain or helping out with committee duties over a number of years Martin was the man who encapsulated what WFC is all about.

A club is much bigger than any one person or any one period in time and Martin made sure that he welcomed everyone to Myreside with the same hearty handshake and a few wise words. As one former player who has since gone on to have a very successful professional rugby career recounted this week: “Martin was the first person I met at the club and from that moment on I felt welcome at Myreside and also wanted to do my best for the club because I could see how much the place meant to him and many others.”

Martin was never a first XV regular, but he was a man that everyone who wore maroon and white during his time at the club wanted alongside them when a game kicked off on a Saturday.He was a very hard working player and he always gave his all to the final whistle in any match he was involved in. During his playing days he also began to get involved in off field matters at the club. He was the trailblazer for the club website and newsletter - the current WFC scribes can only dream of producing content with such intelligence and wit.

He was also a big supporter of the Ladies section as it grew over the last decade while the social events and tours he organised were always favourites among those lucky enough to be there.

Thanks for the memories Martin - you will be greatly missed at Myreside.

Martin Macari’s WFC playing career in numbers (1987-2007):

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First XV 9

Second XV 116

Third XV 58

Fourth XV 55

Total 23