Strokosch calls time on career
Rugby star Ally Strokosch has retired from the sport after helping French side Perpignan to promotion.
The 35-year-old was sidelined by injury on Sunday but he bowed out on a high after the Catalans won 38-17 at home to Grenoble in the play-off final, securing their return to the top flight after a four-year absence.
It capped off a fine career for the former Claremont High School pupil, who learned his trade at East Kilbride Rugby Club in the late 1990s.
He has decided to call time on his playing days after a 14-year professional career, which also saw him win 47 caps for Scotland and play in two Rugby World Cups.
Speaking to the News from the south of France, he admitted the time was right to hang up his boots but he was thrilled to go out in style.
Strokosch said: “I have retired because I’m just getting too old and, to be honest, I’ve been performing poorly and getting injured an awful lot recently, so it was definitely time.
“But being able to finish with promotion is a great feeling, it was always my last objective after we got relegated four years ago. There are loads of highlights and memories from my time here but nothing will come close to the atmosphere surrounding the final on Sunday.
“It just showed how much it meant to the whole region.”
Strokosch started out at East Kilbride Rugby Club, joining them at the age of six. He
progressed through the ranks at Torrance House and went on to play for Boroughmuir and Edinburgh before earning a big move to English Premiership side Gloucester in 2007.
The flanker made more than 100 appearances for the Cherry and Whites over five years, winning the AngloWelsh Cup in 2011, and his success there led to him joining Perpignan in 2012.
His time on the continent has been mixed, though. In his second season the club were relegated from the top 14 for the first time in 103 years and injuries hampered him, although he still made over 120 appearances.
Strokosch, who retired from international duty in 2015, will now return home to be with wife Kirsty and their three children, Laila (7), Aaron (5) and Cal (2) after they moved back to Scotland in January.
And he already has his future mapped out after taking a role with his former club Edinburgh.
Strokosch added: “I’m looking to head home to Scotland as soon as possible as my family are already back.
“I’m moving into strength and conditioning coaching with Edinburgh next year, which is pretty exciting if they continue to improve like they have this year.”
It was a momentous weekend for the Strokosch family all round as Ally’s son Aaron scored his first try for East Kilbride Rugby Club’s mini section.
The youngster starred for EK’s primary one/primary two side and asked if his son had the potential to follow in his footsteps, Strokosch said: “Aaron loves his rugby and it makes me really happy to see him running about at EK like I used to.
“I’ll support him and his brother and sister with whatever they want to do.
“Like any young kid, if they enjoy it and work hard then they’ve all got a chance of making it.”