Ryan Miller has reflected on a memorable five years with Perthshire Rugby Club.
Three of those have been spent as captain of the first team but his face will not be such a familiar sight at the North Inch moving forward.
Miller has moved back down to the Borders and is sure to be a big miss to the Eagles on and off the pitch when league action returns.
“I’ve been captain for the best part of three years and I really got to know the guys,” Miller told the PA.
“The club and myself just seemed to click as soon as I moved. I hope it’s been a relationship both parties have enjoyed.
“The whole club is tight-knit. It doesn’t matter if you play for the firsts, seconds, Colts or women’s team. It’s one big family.
“That has been one of the great things I enjoyed at Perthshire. The rugby has been a major part of my life.”
Miller had hoped to play a starring role in recent months but the coronavirus pandemic resulted in the league season being cancelled.
“When I spoke to Clarky (Alan Clark) about moving home, we were just going into the 2020/21 season,” Miller said.
“We were gathering our thoughts about the squad when I told him the news. I’d planned on playing this season still.
“I’d offered to help out as much as I can, whether the odd away game if the guys were struggling or if I was up in Perth.
“I was still going to try and be around. But that was going to be made difficult with not being able to get to training.
“I was actually really looking forward to this season. We started 2020 strong with two victories and that was the last rugby played.
“We had a number of Colts making the step up and many young guys who had their first season in senior rugby.
“I always feel it’s the second season you see those guys really grow and coming out of their shell. As a squad we were building something pretty special.”
Moving forward, Miller may still occasionally be able to pull on the Perth colours if dual registration allows.
“I’ll still keep in touch with all the guys,” he said. “I’ve not been kicked out the group chat yet!
“I’m still involved and have seen all of the Zoom fitness sessions which is keeping the buzz going around the club.
“I’ve had a chat with Jed Forest with a plan of going back to play for them. I’m still in two minds of whether I think my body is capable. I’m 33 but still feel like I have a season left in me at least.
“I’m hopeful that I may get the odd run out for Perth by hopefully maintaining dual registration. My last memory in a Perth jersey was a great win against Strathmore.
“But I would rather get another couple of games and wins with the boys to see everyone again.”
Shire head coach Alan Clark said: "Ryan has been fully committed.
“He travelled up from Stirling every Tuesday and Thursday, then made himself available for all the away games on a Saturday.
“National three is a long way to travel sometimes. It was fantastic from him because he quite easily could have wandered down to Stirling County and got a game there.
“But he has been completely loyal across the past five years. We obviously wish him all the best with his new life, family and moving back down to his roots which I’m sure he’ll enjoy.
“He has been great for us and we couldn’t have asked for anything more. He will be a miss.”
While Miller won’t be around the North Inch on a weekly basis, Clark believes his experience will have rubbed off.
“The good thing about him is, because he is such a personable guy, the younger players have been able to learn a lot from him on the way through,” Clark said. "Hopefully what he has done has rubbed off.’’
