Warrior and Scotland cap Swinson calls time on career
TIM SWINSON is the latest senior Glasgow Warriors player to announce that he is leaving the club this summer.
The 33-year-old, who has been capped 38 times by Scotland, is retiring from the game and will focus his work life instead on his dream of becoming a lawyer. He is the sixth departure from the club in the last fortnight, following DTH van der Merwe, Rory Hughes, Matt Smith, Ruaridh Jackson and club co-captain Callum Gibbins out the door.
A gritty competitor, who compensated for a lack of bulk in the second-row with a ferocious work-ethic, Swinson has also made a significant impact to the Scottish professional game through his work setting up and then being the first Chair of Rugby Players Scotland, the association which represents the interests of all contracted players in Scotland.
“It’s a hard goodbye to the game I’ve played for the last 14 years, but it’s time to move onto the next adventure,” explained Swinson, who is currently sitting his third-year law exams with Robert Gordon University. “The memorable games, victories and friendships won’t be lost, but the camaraderie will be missed.
“Glasgow and Newcastle have given me the opportunity to live my boyhood dream and it has not disappointed; playing in big games, finals and a World Cup felt better than I could have imagined.
“The team-mates who shared those highs also made the lows, the injuries and disappointments manageable, I thank you.
“To the fans who make the game what it is – whose support, undaunted by obscure away travel and awful weather, never falters – the game would be in a far worse place without you.
“I would like to thank my family, and in particular my wife, whose own sacrifices allowed me to pursue my dreams.”