As the 2024/25 season draws it's conclusion, second row Jack Haynes looks to finish the Premiership season on a high, in what will be his final season with the Burgh.
Life hasn't been easy this year for the first team, with Haynes reflecting on what has been a tough year for the club, after being relegated from the Arnold Clark Men's Premiership after six years.
"The season has been admittedly difficult with the ex-Super Series teams being integrated into the premiership. We have struggled to compete as frequently as we did last season and have been hampered by some key injuries."
Despite the results, the morale within the players has not diminished, with Haynes referencing the effort on and off the pitch within the club.
"However given the resources we have available I think the club has done itself proud, has never given up and there is absolutely strong foundations to build on for seasons to come, to get back into, and subsequently compete in the Premiership again."
It would be easy for players to have given up or not bothered to turn up at certain points in the season but the same core players in both the 1XV and 2XV are there every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday without fail. This is a testament to the culture at the club.
"There have also been some outstanding team performances which didn’t always mean victory but again proved we deserved to be in this league; Marr (A), Watsons (A) and Kelso (H) being some of the highlights."
Jack, who made his 1XV debut in 2019 against Selkirk in National 1, knows how it feels to come into a team like Musselburgh with established players in respective positions, and the club this year has seen bright stars of the future make their way into the 1XV, of which he has been able to play with this year.
"Its shame we don’t get them every week (due to their academy / international / duties) as the young guns have been class. Bruce (Weatherhead) and Struan (Talac) in particular, despite their size & age have performed like seasoned Premiership players when they have been given the chance. I wouldn’t like to play against them and I hope the club can hold onto them."
Looking ahead to the last home match against Marr, Haynes looks to finish the season on a high to reflect the strong performances that the 1XV have put in across the season. With a win, the club will complete the double over the Ayrshire side for the first time in history.
"The last few games are huge for a number of reasons. From a club perspective we have the chance to lift ourselves off the bottom off the table, which would be a great achievement given the competitiveness of the current Scottish Premiership.
"On individual levels players have a chance to put down markers for selection next season and finish on a high. On a personal note for me they are huge as they are likely to be my last for Musselburgh after 5/6 years at the club."
Finally, Haynes reflected and thanked the people who make the club what it is; the members and supporters.
"All the players are under no illusion as to how well the club is run and how the players are supported by the board, members and fans. I think the whole team feels that, with it adding extra motivation to perform, to payback that belief and support we receive."
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