Old Rovers favourite Fairbairn envious of players at Magic Weekend

AS the Magic Weekend takes place in Edinburgh, George Fairbairn, the highly-regarded former Hull Kingston Rovers player and coach, is saddened that he will not be crossing the white line.

The Scot, who tasted success with Rovers, Wigan and Great Britain, has never played at the home of Scottish rugby.

"I represented Scotland Borders at under-21 level and trained at Murrayfield with the Scottish select but never played at the famous stadium" said the once world class full-back, now 55.

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Fairbairn who began his career with Scottish Rugby Union side Kelso, changed allegiances at 19 when he moved to Wigan in 1975.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my League career and have no regrets but it would have been nice to have played at Murrayfield," said the Scotland team manager.

Fairbairn joined Rovers from Wigan in 1981 for a then-club record signing of 72,500.

In his illustrious career he represented Great Britain 17 times and also donned the white of England.

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Now a landlord at The Mill pub in east Hull, Fairbairn is a fan of the Magic Weekend model.

"It gives every player the opportunity to play at a ground like Murrayfield and not just the players at the big clubs who reach Wembley or Old Trafford," said Fairbairn, who is in the capital to watch the Robins tackle St Helens at Murrayfield on Sunday

"I went to both at Cardiff and then to Edinburgh last year as a spectator with a few pals.

"It's great to see fans from every club mingling in the streets round the city centre proudly wearing their team's colours and that's what rugby league is all about.

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"The whole weekend has a carnival theme about it and I love all the banter among the fans.

"I go to most of Hull KR's home games but the Magic weekend is not about just one club – it's about all 14 and that makes it extra-special."