Member's of the Hall of Fame
Louise Aitken-Walker MBE
Rallying
Member 2005
Achievements
First British drivers to win a FIA world rally title. Winner of Coupe de Dames in Monte Carlo rally. First woman winner of
a national rally. One of first inductees into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.
Biography
Louise was born near Duns where her parents farmed. Her career began in 1979 when she was entered for Ford's 'find a lady
rally driver' by her two brothers without her knowledge. Out of 2000 entries Louise was successful.
She went onto compete in both club and national rallies and in 1983 was the first woman to win a national rally title outright.
In 1985 she won the ladies trophy at Lombard RAC rally and in 1989 became the ladies European rally champion. In 1990 she
won the F.I.A Ladies world championship despite having a horrific crash into a lake in Portugal.
Louise has also twice won the Coupe Des Dames on the Monte Carlo rally.
In 1991 she was awarded the Jim Clark trophy for best performance in motor sports by a Scot, and the Seagrave trophy for the
highest achievement by a British subject in any form of transport.
In 1992 Louise was awarded the MBE
Sir Chay Blyth CBE BEM
Sailing
Member 2005
Achievements
First person to sail westwards around the world. Skipper and winner of a number of transatlantic and world yacht races. Rowed across north Atlantic in a 20ft open dory.
Biography
Chay was born in Hawick in 1940. After leaving school at 15 he went to work as an apprentice framemaker in a local knitwear factory.
At 18 he signed up for the parachute regiment where he became the youngest ever platoon sergeant at 21.
In 1966 he teamed up with John Ridgway to row across the Atlantic in 92 days. As a result of this he was voted man of the year and received the British Empire Medal.
In 1971 aboard British Steel, he became the first person to sail non-stop westwards around the world against the prevailing winds and currents. The first time that this feat had been attempted.
Since these feats, Chay has accumulated a list of racing successes, including skippering Great Britain II in the Whitebread race which won nine trophies and was the fastest boat in the fleet. Winner of the two handed round Britain and Ireland race and the transatlantic race. Co-skipper of the successful Blue Riband transatlantic attempt on Virgin Challenger III .
Throughout this time Chay has had a number of incidents including being run down by a ship whilst sailing single handed and spending 19hours in the water off Cape Horn after capsizing.
In 1989 Chay launched the British Steel Challenge to allow ordinary men and women to sail around the world. This was followed by the BT Global Challenge.
In 1997 Chay was knighted for his services to sailing
Jim Clark,OBE
Motor Racing
Member 2005
Jim Clark was barn on 4 March 1936 in Kilmany, Fife. When he was six the Clark family moved to Berwickshire when Jim's father took over Edington Mains Farm near the village of Chirnside. In 1955, armed with Sunbeam Talbot Mk 3 Saloon, Clark joined the Berwick and District Motor Club. During 1956 and 1957 Clark raced his friend's DKW 3-6 Sonderklasse Salon and Porsche 1600S as well as his own Sunbeam on the local airfields at Winfield and Charterhall.
In 1958, thanks to Scott-Watson's enthusiasm, the Border Reivers motor Racing Team was re-formed using McBain's garage in Chirnside as a base. Their first purchase was a second-hand D-Type Jaguar. In 1985 Clark raced the D-Type Jaguar with considerable success and had his first foreign outing at the Spa Grand Prix. In 1959 he successfully drove the Reviers Lotus Elite and a Lister-Jaguar. Clark made his debut at Le Mans where he and co-driver Sir John Whitmore finished second in there class.
In 1960, Jim Clark joined Colin Chapmen's Team Lotus and showed great promise driving the lotus 18 in his first F1 season . In 1961, although racing the uncompetitive Lotus 21, Clark again showed great potential. In 1962 he took over as number one driver for Lotus taking Second place in the F1 World Championship.
In the next five years Clark won the Word Championship twice and was third twice. In 1965 he became the first Briton to win the Indianapolis 500-mile race.
On April, 1968, one of the world's greatest drivers was killed in an unimportant F2 race at Hockenheim.
The Jim Clark Room. After Jim Clark's death his parents gifted the majority of the awards and trophies he had won in his racing career to Duns Town Council. After public appeal a room was fitted out in Duns to display the collection. The Jim Clark Trophy Room was officially opened in 1969 and by 1992 it had welcomed over 200,000 visitors. To Commemorate the 25th anniversary of Clark's death in 1993 Berwickshire District council decided to refurbish the 'Room' and provide a 'Museum' devoted to the career of Jim Clark which would appeal to the visitors of all ages and interests.
The refurbished 'Room' was re-opened by Jackie Stewart on April 2 1993 as part of a Jim Clark Festival weekend. For the first time the 'Room' provides a comprehensive account of Clarks career in a fascinating display of trophies, awards, photographs , model cars and other memorabilia.
John Collins
Footballer
Member 2005
Achievements
58 caps for Scotland. Member of 1990 and 1998 World Cups, Scottish Cup winner with Celtic 1995, French league winner with Monaco AS 1997
Biography
John was born in Galashiels in 1968. As a youngster he played for St Margaret’s, Hutchy Vale and Celtic boys club. He made his premier league debut for Hibernian in 1985 against Aberdeen. After 5 years he moved to Celtic for £1 million.
In 1996 John then moved to French Club AS Monaco. Working under the French coach Jean Tigana he went onto win a French League title, made the quarter final of the UEFA Cup and the semi-final of the European cup.
After moving from Monaco, John went onto play for Everton and then finished his career with Fulham.
Over the course of his career John gained 58 caps for Scotland and scored 12 goals.
He was a member of the 1990 world cup squad and in France 1998 was a key member of the Scotland team scoring 4 goals and appearing in all 10 of Scotland’s matches, scoring a memorable penalty against Brazil in the opening rounds.
John scored another memorable goal against England in the play off’s for Euro 2000 at Wembley stadium.
John continues his association with Borders through recently playing in a John Collins SPL All Stars team against Gala Rovers
WI Douglas Elliot
Rugby
Member 2005
Achievements
Capped 29 times, 7 as captain of Scotland. Recognised as the outstanding rugby player of the post war era.
Biography
Douglas Elliot was born in Stow, but played his club rugby for Edinburgh Academicals.
He won his first Scotland cap in 1947 playing against France and went to play a further 29 times. He retired in 1954 with his final match against Wales. Douglas captained Scotland on 7 occasions .
One of his finest performances was in the 19-0 victory over wales in 1951. The Welsh side featured 11 British and Irish lions from the previous years tour to New Zealand. Douglas had been selected for this tour, but could not afford to leave his farm for the 6 months that the tour required.
Douglas was always regarded as a very skilful forward, but it was his size and strength that made him one of the greats of Scottish rugby. His physical presence came from being a Border farmer working the land.
In 1999, Scottish rugby magazine voted Douglas the second best Scottish rugby player behind Andy Irvine. In 2001 he was selected in the inaugural Scottish Sporting Hall of Fame
Bill Mclaren said of Douglas Elliot that he was the kind of player that made you proud to be Scottish and brought great respect for Scottish rugby.
Douglas Elliot died in 2005 at the age of 81.
Steve Hislop
Motorcycling
Member 2005
Achievements
11 times Isle of Man TT winner, twice winner of British Superbike championship, British 250cc Championship.
Biography
Steve was born in Hawick in 1962 and attended Hobkirk Primary and Jedburgh Grammar Schools.
His early influence of motorbikes came from his father – Sandy who had raced in the Manx Grand Prix. In 1977 Steve and his brother Garry had their first schoolboy motocross race in England.
Leaving school, Steve became an apprentice mechanic for Jim Oliver in Denholm as well as racing Honda 125’s in his spare time. In 1983 after watching Joey Dunlop compete at the isle of Man TT races Steve decided to compete in the event .
In 1985 he competed in his first TT after landing a sponsorship deal. Over the next few years Steve competed at a variety of circuits winning for the first time in 1986 at Scarborough.
In 1987 he won his first of 11 Isle of Man titles, winning the formula 2 event. Following this win he started to get offers of production bikes from Yamaha and Honda. In 1990 Steve won his first British Championship, 250cc and he then went onto win two British Superbike championships in 1995 and 2002.
During the 2000 season Steve had a horrendous high speed crash at Brands Hatch which left him unconscious and with a broken neck. He signed himself out of hospital and went home to the Isle of Man. For four weeks after the crash Steve had walked around with an injury that could have led to death or paralysis!
Steve’s talents were not only that he was one of the fastest motorcyclists in the world but that he was a perfectionist who knew in intricate detail racing circuits and the bikes on which he would perform.
On the 30th July 2003 Steve died in a helicopter crash south of Hawick just 15 miles from his childhood home in Denholm.
Janet Jack
Hockey
Member 2005
Achievements
Scotland’s most capped Hockey player (165 caps). Represented Scotland at both European and Commonwealth Championships and a member of 1996 and 2000 Olympic squads.
Biography
Janet is widely regarded as one of the all time greats of Scottish women’s hockey.
She has represented Scotland at all levels, school, U21 and senior. Her first senior cap was won in 1985 against Germany and she went onto win a record 165 caps for Scotland.
Between 1987 and 1999 she played in four European cups and five world cup reaching the final stages of the 1988 world cup tournament in Holland. Janet has also represented Scotland in the 1998 Commonwealth games where the team finished 5th.
Since 1992 Janet has been associated with Great Britain Olympic squads, being a member of the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic training squads.
Janet has played club hockey for both Edinburgh Ladies and Melrose ladies, for whom she is currently still playing.
In 1992 she was part of the Scottish indoor team that won the bronze medal in the European cup.
Janet has captained Scotland seniors 14 times and scored 18 goals. She has also captained Great Britain 3 times scoring 2 goals.
Joyce Lindores
Bowling
Member 2005
Achievements
Winner of two world championships and commonwealth titles. Represented Scotland in 3 Commonwealth Games.
Biography
Joyce Lindores is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s greatest bowlers both indoors and outdoors.
She has been an internationalists since 1987, winning Scottish singles and pairs titles. Joyce has also won 5 medals in the prestigious Atlantic Rim. Gold in pairs (1999) and fours (2005).
Joyce was also a key part of the team that won the European Championship in 1999. She has represented Scotland in four World bowls finals winning bronze, silver and gold in fours, singles and pairs.
Since 1994 Joyce has represented Scotland at three commonwealth games winning Gold in 1998 in the pairs competition. She has again been selected to represent Scotland in the 2006 games in Melbourne.
Indoors Joyce has won a number of titles including being British singles champion twice, British fours champion and pairs champion.
In 1995 Joyce was the World Indoor bowls champion.
Joyce continues to play bowls in the Scottish Borders playing for Etterick Forest in Selkirk and Tweedbank Indoor club.
Bill Mclaren CBE
Broadcaster
Member 2005
Achievements
First non-international to be inducted into the International Rugby hall of Fame. Royal Television Society Sports Award 2000 for outstanding contributions to broadcasting. Acknowledged by many throughout the world as the ‘voice of rugby’.
Biography
Bill was born in Hawick in 1923. Before the war he played for Hawick and the South of Scotland. In 1947 he played for Scotland in a trial game. He was on the verge of a full cap, when he contracted tuberculosis, a legacy from his wartime service in Italy, which nearly killed him.
He was one of five guinea pigs given a new drug to try and combat the disease. Of the five, Bill was only one of two who survived.
It was during his time convalescing that Bill made his first broadcasts, commentating on table-tennis matches for hospital radio!
Once he had recovered from TB Bill went to study physical education in Aberdeen. Which he continued teaching up until 1987 at Hawick High School. As well as a teaching career, Bill also worked a s a junior reporter for the Hawick Express, reporting on local games. This career led him into the world of broadcasting when after auditioning for BBC Scotland in 1951, he was given his first live commentary game between Edinburgh and Glasgow in 1952.
Bill’s national debut came in 1953 when he commented for BBC radio on the Scotland v Wales game, which Wales won 12-0. Six years later Bill commentated on his first televised game.
After 50 years of service to broadcasting, Bill retired in 2003. His last international game was Wales v Scotland at which he received a standing ovation. His final commentary was the Melrose Sevens also in 2003.
Bill will be remembered by many for his impartiality and we will always remember the ‘laddie who is built like a brick outhouse!’ and the fact that ‘they will be dancing in the streets of Hawick!
Ian Stark OBE
Equestrian
Member 2005
Achievements
First rider in the history of Badminton Horse Trials to finish first and second on two horses in the same event. Represented Great Britain in five Olympic games from 1984 to 2000 winning 4 silver medals for both individual and team events. He has also won Gold medals in European and World Eventing Championships
Biography
Ian was born in Galashiels in 1954 and started riding at the age of 10. As a clerk working for the DHSS in Galashiels, he continued his riding career and eventually this paid off with him representing Great Britain in his first of five Olympic games at Los Angles in 1984. These games provided Ian with his first of four Olympic Silver medals in the team three-day event.
At his last Olympic games in Sydney 2000 Ian won another Silver in the team show jumping event.
In World Championship and European competitions Ian has won Gold medals in both individual and team events, competing on a variety of horses including ‘Jaybee’, ‘Glenburnie’ and ‘Murphy Himself’.
In 1986, 1988 and 1999 Ian won three Badminton Horse Trials. The most famous of which was his 1988 success, when he finished both 1st and 2nd riding ‘Sir Wattie’ and ‘Glenburnie’!
Ian continues to compete at the Thirlestane Horse Trials and is a renowned coach working with Olympic teams. He has received an Honorary Fellowship by the British Horse Society for his contribution to coaching and he is the Border’s most successful Olympic athlete.
Ian lives at Ashkirk where he coaches the next generation of potential Border Olympic eventers.
Jim Telfer MBE
Rugby
Member 2005
Achievements
1st XV Melrose 1957-1974 Capped 25 times for Scotland (captain 9 occasions), 8 British Lions caps. Coach to the 1984 and 1990 ‘Grand Slam’ teams and coach to 1983 and 1997 British Lions.
Biography
Jim was born in Pathead in 1940, but was brought up on various farms throughout the Borders.
A footballer and cricketer as a youngster, Jim’s first representative game was playing for the South of Scotland Schools against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park
Leaving Galashiels Academy where he was a pupil, he went onto Heriot Watt College to study Chemistry, travelling home to Melrose for training and matches. Jim made 317 senior appearances for Melrose captaining them for six seasons.
In 1964 he made a winning debut for Scotland against France at Murrayfield. Later that year he played against England and was involved in three Scottish tries whilst scoring the final try which sparked a pitch invasion!
Jim has never been beaten by Southern hemisphere opposition whilst playing for Scotland and he famously scored at try in Paris which set up a Scottish win, which would not happen again for 30 years.
Once Jim retired from rugby in 1974, he continued his teaching career working in various schools throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians before becoming Headteacher at Hawick High School in 1984.
He started his coaching career as a player coach with Melrose in 1966 and this continued after his playing retirement to 1980. He returned to coach Melrose from 1988 to 1994. On four ocassions Jim was involved as either head coach or forwards coach with Scotland winning two Grand Slams, two Triple Crowns and two Calcutta cups.
In 1983 and 1997 he coached the British Lions, working alongside Ian McGeechan in 1997 to win a memorable 2-1 series against South Africa.
During the advent of professionalism Jim became the Scottish Rugby Unions first Director of Rugby in 1993. Jim continues his involvement with Rugby writing for ‘The Scotsman’ and coaching the Borders U16 pathway teams.
Unified Solutions.