Faqir – Dalziel RFC coping with unscheduled winter shutdown

Jan 12 2011 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

DALZIEL Rugby Club president Khalid Faqir believes the club have coped well through the recent spell of bad weather.

And the president is unfazed by the fixture backlog which is the result of the Premier Three outfit being unable to fulfil a competitive fixture since November 19.

Overnight snow saw the club’s first match of the year at Peebles postponed early on Saturday morning but Faqir is hoping this weekend’s league match away to Howe of Fife can beat the wintry weather.

The 43-year-old, who is in his first season as club president, said: “At the moment all the fixtures bar one have got a date in the diary for a Saturday.

“Hopefully, this weekend’s game will be played but if there are any more calls offs there would certainly be an opportunity to play midweek games against locals sides such as Hamilton, Whitecraigs or Cartha Queen’s Park.

“We have to cope with this fixture backlog almost every year so it is something that we just have to put up with.

“The SRU have a desire to wrap the season up by the end of March but that is pretty unrealistic with the weather we have in December and January.

“We are not burdened by sevens tournaments or other sports being played at the ground so it is not an issue for us how long the season lasts.”

He continued: “As long as we get the games played it should not impact too much financially.

“Dalziel have quite a low cost base and don’t have a huge outlay.

“Cash wise we are in reasonably good shape anyway and actually ahead of where we thought we would be off the field.

“The call offs have had an affect but not a massive one.”

Before the unscheduled eight-week lay off, Dalziel had lost four games on the bounce (three league and one cup game) which has derailed their hopes of achieving back-to-back promotions.

However, Faqir has been pleased with how the club have coped in their debut season in Premier Three and expects a more settled first XV to take to the pitch in the second half of the season.

Injuries to key players have taken their toll but the return of a number of first team squad members should boost coach David Wilson’s options.

Blake Whitehead, John Goldie, Victor Czarnocki, John Harris, Jamie McCall, Eddy Ferguson, Gavin Smith and Jamie McAulay should all be available for selection and influential back Gillon Duguid could be ready for a return to action at the end of next month.

Faqir said: “We were fortunate to get off to a good start but the team are still coming together.

“We have had massive injury problems and have not even been close to fielding last season’s title-winning team this season.

“Those who came in fronted up well at the start of the season but some of the guys who were injured are coming back and on the pitch I expect us to get stronger in the next few weeks.

“There is still an outside chance of promotion although this year we have just been getting to grips with the higher level.

“The likes of Hamilton and Whitecraigs who are setting the pace still have to come to Dalziel and we would be hoping to win those games.

“Our cup game in November against Boroughmuir was really close and we certainly gave them a fright.

“Competing against a Premier One side gave the boys plenty of confidence and showed them exactly where they are in the grand scheme of things.”

This weekend’s match against Howe of Fife takes place at Duffus Park, Cupar (2pm kick-off).

Dalziel, in fifth place, are currently one point ahead of their opponents having played a game more.