Callum Kerr reflects on fifteen years of Ayr’s finest fly-half.
It’s a day the Millbrae faithful hoped would never come. Fifteen years after making his Ayr Rugby debut Frazier Climo will take to the field on Friday night for the final time as a player.
The 36-year-old has enjoyed two stints at the club, claiming three Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and a bucket load of personal accolades.
(Image – George McMillan)
When arriving in Burns country in 2008 at the youthful age of 21, Frazier Climo made a quick impression for his swashbuckling attacking prowess and sniper scope of a left boot. Now in 2023 – having enjoyed a career that’s taken him from New Plymouth to Llanelli, Mount Taranaki to Millbrae – he chooses to call time on his own accord, still possessing those attributes that led the club to a maiden premiership in 2009.
Successes followed. A first ever Scottish Cup for Ayr the following year was the end of act one, with the kilted kiwi whisked back to his motherland for the chance to represent the Taranaki Bulls. A string of strong performances with New Plymouth Old Boys earned him a call up to the Bulls, where he played a part in the club’s first Ranfurly Shield win in over 15 years. Climo scored the opening try at Yarrow Park in their first defence, taking full advantage of an inside ball from a certain Beauden Barrett.
A return to Europe saw him sign with the Scarlets but after a short run which ended in a leg break and ankle dislocation, he returned to Ayrshire with the biggest prize of his first spell – his wife Michelle. Since returning in 2015 he’s forged a life in Kilmarnock, with Shelly and children Mila and Luke, whilst pulling on the pink and black hoops every weekend.
He added a second league title in 2017 before arguably his best spell at the club in 2019, leading Ayr to a historic double – their second in history. He’s a man who creates magical moments every time he touches the ball but there’s one that towers above the rest. The ‘19 double looked dead and buried when the clock struck red in the Scottish Cup Final at BT Murrayfield. Ayr trailed 24-25 to rivals Heriots, with Climo missing a touchline conversion to snatch victory moments before… but fate would conjure up one more chance – from the exact same spot – for immortality.
He made no mistake this time.
When chatting to press following the match and asked about the ice coursing through his veins following his earlier miss, he shrugged it off in a typical nonchalant manner: “How often do you see me miss from the same spot twice?”
In the dawn of the Super6 era he opted to stay put, assisting close friend and work colleague Stuart Fenwick in a player/ coach role with the 1st XV. He moved on to the Bulls last year in the same capacity.
His contribution to the town doesn’t stop when the jersey comes off. Since his return he’s worked for Ayr Community Rugby Trust, predominately overseeing the Ayr Youth Academy system developing the club’s brightest talent. Long after he’s hung up his boots his effect will be recognised in tomorrow’s x-factor fly halves, with the likes of Richie Simpson and more benefitting from his tutelage.
After Friday evening he walks away from playing duties but will remain in the Bulls coaching set up and in his wider role with Ayr Community Rugby Trust.
How poetic that he’ll get his last dance in front of a home crowd this Friday in the FOSROC Super Series Sprint Final. Better yet, it is up against his old foes Heriots. It had to be Heriots.
Once more he’ll have an opportunity to add to his trophy cabinet. Once more we’ll get to watch him do what he does best. Once more.
Friday’s match kicks off at 19.35 at Millbrae and it would only be fitting that the town rallies behind him in his final farewell.