CHEERIO TO CHEER
Pat: I’ll back Warriors as a fan from stands after hanging up boots
PAT MacARTHUR insists he will support Glasgow Warriors from the stands when he retires at the end of the season.
The long-serving Warriors star has made 165 appearances for the club in a career spanning more than a decade.
MacArthur admits it’s the right time to hang up his boots to pursue a new career in construction or project management at the end of the Pro14 campaign.
But the 31-year-old intends to cheer on his beloved Warriors on from the sidelines as a fan next season.
He said: “It has been a hard decision but I’ve had a great stint doing what I love. I believe it’s the correct time to move on to the next part of my life.
“I live near Scotstoun, so I aim to support the team but it’ll be different sitting in the stands.
“I hope to move into construction or project management after studying civil engineering at university. It will provide me with a different challenge.
“I will miss the Glasgow fans, the camaraderie in the dressing room – and the feeling before a game when you know you’re about to go out onto the pitch and put your body on the line.”
Six-cap Scotland ace MacArthur has been with Warriors – who are his only pro club – since 2007.
And in that time he’s been part of some of Glasgow’s most famous moments, including their 2014/15 Pro12 title glory.
Warriors assistant coach Kenny Murray admits the club will miss MacArthur’s influential presence.
He added: “Pat has been one of the most respected Warriors over the past 11 years.
“He has been a key part of our leaders group over recent years and has always been a player that others look up to and hold in huge esteem.”