Boost for Granite City sports clubs thanks to hotelier partnership

Three Aberdeen Grammar sports clubs are set to enter a partnership with a Granite City hotelier who wishes to improve sporting performances in Aberdeen.

Graham Truscott, the owner of the Great Western Hotel, is a Grammarian who played hockey for Scotland and keen to promote local sport.

He said: “When I heard that my old club were to be moving from Queen’s Road after the sale of the premises, I wanted to help with the accommodation problems of the cricket, hockey and rugby sections.

“I am particularly keen to see top level sport being played in the northeast. We need a top level rugby club in the area.”

After extensive discussions with Grammar chairman Gordon Thomson and long-serving David Leighton, Truscott has agreed a deal which will come into operation on April 26, including providing storage space for the kit of the three clubs and social provision, including 11 large TV screens.

Thomson said: “Graham has bent over backwards to accommodate us. It will surely take a trick with our members and become a popular place at which to entertain our opposition.

“He has also made extensive adjustments to the facility, not least being the provision of a beer garden.

“I just hope our members will take advantage of this marvellous initiative.”

Grammar captain Doug Russell said: “Losing the club centre was a blow, but we now need to move on.

“This is an opportunity for us including attracting new members.

“We need to have a higher profile in the community.

“It’s a great facility, meriting our full support. It is also very near to Rubislaw, so hopefully supporters from all the sections will use it.”

Geoff Morrison, a longstanding member of the cricket section and the current treasurer welcomed the move.

He said: “The cricket season is due to start in May and with guys keen to get some action in all sports after Covid-19 the place could be very busy.

“People have worked hard to make this happen not least the industrious Dave Leighton. We now need to support it.”

James Anderson of the hockey section added his support but said: “We have yet to give it our full backing at our EGM later this month but I have no doubt the idea will get our backing.

“After months of inactivity it will be good to see some action.”

Truscott added: “If this exercise gets off the ground, as I believe it will, it could escalate and become a focal point for sport in Aberdeen. I like to think this is the beginning of something big. I am delighted to be involved.

“It could prove to be much more than an exercise in social activity.”