It’s Miller’s time
Ryan’s joy at being named Perthshire captain
Ryan Miller admits it is a huge honour to be named captain of Perthshire Rugby Club’s first team.
The 30-year-old is replacing longserving skipper Adam Pattinson, who is taking a back seat next season due to injury.
While Miller is delighted to lead the Eagles, he was quick to highlight how important Pattinson has been – and will continue to be – for the club.
“Adam is a club legend,” Miller said. “This will be the start of my fourth year up in Perth and he has always been there since I joined the club.
“He has been a massive help to myself. I took over the captaincy two years ago when he was injured, but he was always still on the phone.
“He was gutted that he wasn’t involved. Adam lives and breathes Perthshire Rugby.
“It will be different not having him around full-time next season but I’m sure he will still be around the club often. He has already offered me help and guidance wherever I need it. He will always be on the end of the phone.
“He has been a great servant to the club but with the injuries he has had, he can’t give 100 per cent to the jersey and that is what he’s all about.
“If he feels himself he can’t do that, then it’s probably the right decision.
“Adam was a great captain and a great guy to have around, whether it be on the field or off.
“He is the heart and soul of everything around the senior section at Perth.
“It’s a big honour for me to be captain, especially with it being the 150th year and it’s something that I am not taking lightly.
“I’m looking forward to getting started and getting back into preseason.”
Miller has experience of captaincy and is determined to lead Shire to a season of success in the BT National League Division 3 when action returns.
“It’s something which has run in the family,” he said. “My dad was captain of Jed-Forest back in the early eighties.
“It is something I have always wanted to do, be captain of a first 15. I am delighted to finally get that.
“When I played at Jed-Forest I was captain of the second team. I’ve been vice-captain for Perthshire for the past two seasons.
“The last two seasons haven’t gone to plan but we’re happy to still be in the national leagues. It’s where, as a club, we want to be.
“As players we have felt that we let the team and ourselves down.
“We’re looking to try and make up for it this year, and make it third time lucky to stay in the league.”
Shire players have been keeping busy during the off-season in order to start next term quickly.
Miller added: “We need full commitment from the guys and also everyone to buy into the club and what it’s about. Hopefully we can use the 150th year to spur us on. It’s about getting down to training and hitting the ground running.
“Pre-season wise we already have guys in the gym and Mark Coupar has been taking light sessions.
“I feel in the past we have had a slow start and then been playing catch-up for the rest of the season, which has not been ideal.” Ryan Miller has been named as Perthshire’s new captain