By Stu Piddington

One of the characters of South Canterbury Rugby, Cedric Coll, has been made a life member.

The straight talking Coll didn't make his mark on the field or as an administrator but as the manager of several of South Canterbury provincial teams.

He first took the job in 1988 under Peter Walsh and Noel Lyne and over the years has been invited back by several other coaching combos including Kevin Gloag and Ray Ramsay, Colin Tarrant and Duncan Bell, Bill Johnson and Peter Connor, Steve Tarrant and Grant McFarlane as well as John Chapman.

TETSURO MITOMO/FAIRFAX NZ

Cedric Coll has been to every provincial rugby ground in New Zealand with the South Canterbury team except Athletic Park.

The well organised Coll has had seven stints and been involved in over 160 games.

The 68-year-old remains in the Heartland job with incumbents Barry Matthews and McFarlane, but admits 2017 maybe his last year.

Coll said he has had a fantastic time over the years.

"With the team I've been to every provincial ground in New Zealand except Athletic Park (Wellington), so I've seen a bit of the country."

Coll said there were a number of players that have stood out over his time including prop Russell Morgan, wing Craig Dorgan, midfielder Steve Tarrant, halfback Barry Matthews and first five Graeme Dempster.

As far a coaches went Gloag, Tarrant and Matthews stood out.

"Kevin (Gloag) was the first to lift South Canterbury into what I would call a professional level while Steve and Ratty (Matthews) followed on."

Of all his jobs Coll said it was a special moment to be asked to manage by players he had once managed.

"I guess there is that mutual respect.".

The biggest change he has seen over the 37 years was two-fold.

The pre-match and match day paper work and also the introduction of Pacific Island players into the system. 

"These days I wonder what we would do without them."

At the beginning the managers also had to also speak after every game.

"Fortunately I can string a few words together but its a rarity these days."

There are also some abiding memories.

Coll remembers clearly in 1988 when the South Canterbury received dress gear for the first time.

"A lime green polo, it was a cracker, but they were all happy as their expectations were nil."

As for trouble, Coll said nothing serious had happened under his watch but did admit to an instance in Taupo many years ago when a couple of players jumped into a bus for a short drive in a car park.

"There was a very slight collison but it was sorted."

The manager also recalled an unusual problem in a Nelson Bay's changing shed in early nineties.

"One prop, who was really wound up for the game, whacked the wall only to find it was plywood that splintered and got his hand stuck.

"We had to find something in a hurry to make the whole bigger so he could get his hand out and get on the field."

Coll, to his credit, can also laugh at himself, which adds to his skills.

"In 1988 the players were 25 and I was 40, now I'm 68 and they are still 25, I'm not sure what they think."

Last year Coll was explaining to the players not to draw attention to themselves, perhaps they should wear 'civvies' out after the game.

"They wanted to know what civvies were." 

Coll said he had a simply philosophy if any issues came up, he believed with dealing with them on the spot.

"Taking that number of men around the country there is the odd issue, but you need to be proactive and deal with it.

"The top priority for me is for the players to enjoy themselves, and be proud in representing their province."

Coll was 26th life member in union's 129 year history.