GLASGOW have announced that Rob Harley will leave the club at the end of the season, bringing to an end a 12-year stint that has seen him become the Warriors’ record-holder for appearances.
The 31-year-old, who can play at lock or at blindside, has made 260 appearances to date since his debut back in 2010. He was a try-scorer in the team’s 2015 PRO 12 final victory against Munster. Speaking on the club’s website, Harley suggested that he would carry on playing beyond this season but did not say where he planned or hoped to do so.
“There are so many memories: winning the title was hugely special, but it’s hard to pick just one having played with so many great teams,” he said. “If anything, I’ll miss coming in and training with the guys and working really hard. I’ve enjoyed what we do here and playing for Glasgow.
“I look back to when I started and when I was in the academy and the crowds and expectations weren’t that high. Now, though, with the facility at Scotstoun we have noisy crowds each week and an energy behind us every time we play. That’s built an ability and confidence in the squad and an ethos that we’re setting out to win the league and win tournaments.
“I’m looking forward to coming back to Scotstoun one day as a fan, and standing with the fans who have been so good with me over the years, cheering the team on from the stands.
“For now, though, I’m looking forward to finishing my Glasgow career on a high, but also excited about the next step of my playing journey and experiencing something different, wherever that may be.”
Head coach Danny Wilson has already strengthened his pack for next season with the signings of JP du Preez and Sione Vailamu, and yesterday revealed that he plans to make some more key recruits over the coming months.
“Rob Harley is an outstanding professional whose service to this club is second to none,” Wilson said. “Earning 260 caps for Glasgow Warriors is something no other player has done and is a monumental achievement, and it is especially important that we take time to celebrate Rob’s career and achievements this week and over the rest of the season.”
Meanwhile, Warriors No 8 Matt Fagerson could miss the rest of the season after revealing he has had an operation on his refractured arm. “Operation went really well and [I am] excited to make some shifts and come back better,” he tweeted.
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Captain of the Awkward Squad. Just the type of player the opposition hated to play against. Mr 110% Nuff Said
We want players to be committed but commitment is a 2-way street. After 12 years what signal does this send to the rest of the players and why should we expect loyalty if we don’t give it. I know we need to boost the team and we have a limited budget but shouldn’t we also reward loyalty and commitment? He may no longer often a starter, but he still plays a key role when he is part of the 23. This leaves me saddened.
How do we know that it wasn’t Bob’s choice? He’s not played that much this season, and still has 4 or 5 years left in him.
Total legend.
Some are always upset, looking for reasons to disagree when a favourite moves on, a chance to cast blame and all the rest of that.
Times change, players lose a bit or the squad balance needs to be tweaked, or a budget tweaked. Life goes on.
I’ll miss Big Bad Bob more than most who move on. Been a cornerstone for Warriors for what seems like forever, and seemed indestructable.
No apologies for the pun – but an Absolute Warrior!… Club Legend and wish him all the best for the future, but note that he appears to be leaving and not retiring?
Although maybe not been at his best recently as others have noted, he still brought that hard edge which we now seem to be missing. He also got and represented what the club stood for. Same with Swinson who was persuaded to come out of “retirement” for Sarries no less…
Can’t help feeling that player and squad decisions are being made on “stats” as opposed to what individuals bring to the squad and team in terms of cohesion and leadership, which is what we do seem to be lacking when under pressure…
Sad to see him go. Been a great player for Glasgow. Despised by the Irish Provinces for his ability to frustrate and slow up their ball, disrupts lineouts and provides both the necessary dark arts and niggle at the bottom of a ruck. Hard as nails and hard to replace.
An absolutely outstanding servant to the club and could never be faulted for his commitment. I have to disagree with ST though as I feel in the last couple of seasons he’s not quite been at his best and not showed the same sharpness – having said that I am surprised how little we have seen of him. Wish him well and maybe he’ll turn up somewhere else and surprise me with a late resurgence.
Shocked he’s only 31- feels as if he’s been around forever.
A brilliant servant to Glasgow and to Scottish rugby as a whole and I wish him all the best for the future.
Wilson/ Glasgow missing a trick by not keeping him on !! Personality clash in the Dressing Room……he was an automatic Captain in my eyes, but only got a short run during WC 2010/2011 !! Head & shoulders above the rest for work rate & niggle factor for the opposition !!