IF there is one endangered species in Scottish rugby at the moment it is the archetypal club person.

We all know them – the men and women who give of their time and usually of their cash as well to support their local team, or the FP club of the school they attended.

They are always there to help out, often possessing no qualifications other than a love for the game and a willingness to support others to play it, perhaps after a career of playing themselves.

They are the unsung heroes of the Scottish game, and they could be forgiven for walking away from the sport when it all seems to be getting so money-driven these days – they would not take a penny for their efforts, and would be insulted if you offered it.

They have staying power, carrying on with their tasks and playing their parts, whatever they might be – some just find a role for themselves and stick to it, year in and year out.

Occasionally the rest of the club will band together and give the individual some piece of recognition, perhaps a life membership or an honorary position, and the man or woman who gets it unfailingly accepts it with deep appreciation and no little humility.

Sadly, all too often we do not recognise the contribution they have made until they are gone, leaving a hole in a club that may never be filled.

The Rucker has known many of these men and women over the years, and was reminded yet again of the role they play in Scottish rugby when news came through of the sudden death at the age of 65 last week of Gavin Calder, brother of Finlay, Jim and John, and an absolute stalwart of Stewart’s Melville RFC.

In announcing the death, club chairman Colin Rigby stated that Gavin was “without doubt one of the finest club men globally in our great game and respected throughout the world.”

He later added: “No matter what was needing done he was always one of the first to roll up his sleeves and muck in – no job was too lowly for our Gav.

“If you ever ventured into the clubhouse Gav was ‘Mr Stew Mel’, all our visiting clubs could testify to his ability to put them at ease, commiserate if they were beaten and be humble in victory – a trait very few possess.”

That sums up Gavin, who had been associated with the Edinburgh club for decades as a player and committee member and President.

He was probably best known recently as the Inverleith announcer – he did the job very much in his own style – who also contributed unique match reports to the club website and was always a friendly face welcoming opponents to the club.

He was still in charge of membership and subscriptions, always a thankless task at any club, but one which he did with his trademark good humour.

He may not have been as famous as his big brothers Fin and Jim but Gavin was renowned in his own way as a club man through and through. He will be very much missed.