The Bunker Tapes #1: An Exit Interview with Jamie McCann

Greetings Northerners, 

All good things must come to an end. For Edinburgh Northern, our time enjoying the captaincy of Jamie McCann has drawn to a close. A happy two years, that have seen some real highs, increased player numbers, some sexy rugby played at home and abroad and of course, Guinness behind the bar… I’m not sure we could have asked for more. 

To talk us through his time at the tiller, our roaming correspondent sat down with Jamie to discuss his time leading this proud Edinburgh institution. 

Jamie, after two eventful years, your captaincy concluded dramatically twos Saturday ago. Could you share your reflections on that final game?

It was a match that definitely lived up to the saying, “…a game of two halves”.  A few positional changes, along with illnesses, injuries and general unavailability meant it was a slightly varied squad that travelled down to Duns and I think this led to our stuttering start.  [We spent] very little time out with our own 22 in the first half, along with a great deal of unforced errors meant we didn’t fire a shot.  A lot of pressure from the opposition meant we were down at the break by a couple of tries. 

For around 50mins of the match, I think the best description of our performance is that we were “…still on the bus” and it took a large shift in tempo from our halfbacks and physicality from our forwards to claw our way back into the match.  

Once we found our rhythm, began to get the ball moving forward and maintained some consistency with our play, we started to rack up the points.  I think for those watching, it would have been difficult to tell that neither team had anything riding on the result as both teams played with great intensity and dedication. 

Great to get the win away from home – especially with it being my last match as captain – made the bus trip that bit sweeter.

Duns is a ground I think we’ve only played at once – twice now - in my time with the club. A rare venue to finish your tenure. During your captaincy, which grounds or clubs hold particularly fond memories for you?

As a captain, anytime you are able to lead the lads and squad as whole to silverware, it feels incredibly special – for a long time with Earlston, it has seemed like the away team has been the victor on more occasions than not.  The Haugh is a lovely backdrop, hosting a cracking atmosphere and very warmly welcoming and hospitable club.  To win the East Regional Bowl in Earlston back in 2024, is a very fond memory of mine, especially after the match when you saw just how many friends, family and fans of the club had travelled down to support us.

Another fond memory, which is club-wide, is the multiple double-headers the club has hosted over the years.  Some of my happiest memories are at The Bunker, when we are hosting two teams with an equal passion for both the match and post-match sides of rugby.  Seeing the club full to bursting with people sharing their Saturday with smiles on their faces is something that I don’t feel can be topped.  I think I’ve mentioned this in nearly every post-match thanks I’ve done, but it truly is something in life and sport, which is very unique and special to share with all the clubs across both leagues.

You can’t really get past a double-header at home. a team perspective, what stand out as the most memorable moments during your two years as captain? As you’ve touched on, there was the 2024 Bowl Final win, which I imagine is one. 

Yes, the Bowl Win in 2024 is definitely a massive highlight, especially after all the hard work that went in behind the scenes to put us in that position.  Other highlights from my two year tenure are Trinity Academicals in 2024 and Hawick Harlequins in 2025 – these matches are examples of times when we had our backs against the wall going into a contest.  

Both games in the previous legs, didn’t go the way we wanted, however, upon the return we as a squad dug deep and ground out very impressive and satisfying result, when maybe others thought we wouldn’t.  Sometimes it is quite fun going into matches as the underdog.

I’m hoping as well that at the start of April, the club will have another great memory we can share as a collective, with our 2nd XV competing for the league title in the final match of the season.  As a club, we have seen our numbers and attendances in both training and matches grow, whilst this may not be the case for other clubs in the country.  We have had 76 different individuals involved in competitive rugby this year for the club, across the 2 squads.  

I think this is a direct response to not only how great a club ENRFC is, but also how successful our brand of rugby is that we are trying to develop for those involved.  Many thanks to Ed Russell (2nd XV captain) and Ben Black (Club Coach), as without their incredible work ethic and support, we wouldn’t be able to boast such numbers.

Those are some great team highlights – something I think that can take up a lot of the mind as a captain. You’ve obviously been at the club for a while now – eight years I believe. What are your top three memories, individually, from your time with ourselves – including during the captaincy? 

I’ve mentioned the Bowl too much, so I’ll try a couple of others. 

Breaking through players. As a club which welcomes players of any ability, even zero, seeing lads train with us week in and week out and see the results of that training mean they can climb the next level is always incredibly pleasing.  Whether that is from 2s to 1s, bench to starting or even from never playing to their first competitive game, its always great to see.

The sevens season. I bet nobody thought I’d say this, however, not only is it one of the best times of the year as it means less strapping and ankle socks can be worn, but as host of one of the best 7s competition in the country it’s always a thoroughly enjoyable month of the year.  

Most specifically, scoring in the Blyth+Blyth Cup semi-final against Currie (not sure how we ended up that high in the draw), from our own 22, to then scuffing a the conversion over the bar whilst wondering how to get my breathe back, then jogging straight to the sideline to sub myself off for a well-earned 4th beer of the day – still to this day everyone tells me how great a try it was, but all I can remember is how out of breath I was and why did I say I could play?!

Last, but certainly not least, rugby tour. Every year, ENRFC travel to Europe in the height of May to see how our ‘rugby’ fairs against some of our continental neighbours.  I will admit, prior to my time as Club Captain, there were times that I just thought tour, “…wasn’t for me” but having finally committed to my first tour back in 2023, I can safely say how wrong I was and will admit I regret not becoming a tourist sooner.  Never has a weekend away had so many belly-laughs and good old fashioned fun at the expense of your teammates.  

I finally understand why for so many years people used to say, “…join Edinburgh Northern, tour is unbelievable!”  Two down, number three just around the corner [Northern travel to Brussels in May] – bring it on!

You’ve obviously touched on everyone’s highlight there, which is tour.  However, as Edinburgh premier social rugby club, we are known for our vibrant social scene, both at home and on tour. What are some of your favourite social memories from your time as captain?

It is a boring answer, but ALL of it.  The social scene at this rugby club can be very hard to describe, for the simple fact that is so uniquely brilliant, that most descriptions just sound like it’s all made up.  Equally for some members, it will be made up as the actual memory is as forgotten as what they had to drink last night.

Socials ran in recent memory are Burn’s Night, Ladies Day, Club Dinner, Players Dinner, Karaoke, Coaches Cocktails, Halloween, Christmas, Summer Touch & BBQ, Recruitment Pub Crawl, Bus Trips, Train Trips and Tour.  That’s all before the boring Saturday’s without any planned fun, rugby on the telly or, “….the game is cancelled, lets all meet at The Bunker and plan a day out”.  

What speaks volumes about all of this, is when non-members, friends, family members all want to join in, because as an incredibly welcoming club, this just shows how popular we and our social scene is to those looking in from outside/word of mouth.

As a man who met his wife, and now mother of my two children through the club, I can attest to the strength of that social scene. Speaking of succession planning, as you pass the torch to your successor, what advice would you offer as they take on the role?" 

Make it your own. It took a couple of months for me to realise that even though you are Club Captain and captain the 1st XV on match day, the role is so much more than that and can be so satisfying to be involved in so many aspects of the club.  Leadership takes many forms and how to lead is something which many have debated for a long time, however, in my opinion the best way you can set yourself up to be successful is to be yourself.  

Be genuine, back yourself and remember that there are lots of individuals around you who are there to help and are rooting for you to succeed.  It also helps if you are good at downing a pint…!

Speaking of help, are there any individuals you'd like to acknowledge or thank for their support?

Support at ENRFC and its wider network comes in abundance – over the few weeks of my time as captain, those who have been involved on this journey with me have been thanked and words shared – they know who they are.  

We also have Club and Player’s Dinner to come in the next few months, which will give me the opportunity to pass on my final thanks to all of those who have made the last two years at this club so special for me – maybe even the best two years of my eight years in total at this incredible club.  Thank goodness I was talked back into playing rugby again…

I look forward to hearing those words. As a final question, and I think we might know the answer already, what does Edinburgh Northern mean to you personally?

Edinburgh Northern RFC is simply, The Best Club Ever.

From the people I have met at this club, through this club and anywhere else along the road, to the memories created both on and off the pitch, ENRFC is a club which I find myself incredibly lucky to have stumbled upon. Like a lot of the members, my Saturdays would be a lot more boring if it wasn’t for this place and I certainly wouldn’t have anywhere near as many dear friends as I do now. 

As I write this, on a Monday, I am already looking forward to what Saturday has in store and have planned my whole weekend around the 3pm KO and the social to follow.  Not many things in life can suck you in quite as strongly as this rugby club can – come down and find out, bet you can’t prove me wrong!

Any last words?

Sláinte & Up The Duffy’s!

Thanks to Jamie for taking the time to answer our questions. 

Michael Mawdsley