Falkirk Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Falkirk, Scotland. They currently compete in Scottish National League Division One, the second tier of Scottish club rugby. The club play their home matches at Horne Park.
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| Union | Scottish Rugby Union | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1972 | |
| Location | Falkirk, Scotland | |
| Ground(s) | Horne Park | |
| League(s) | Scottish National League Division Two | |
| 2021–22 | Scottish National League Division Two, 7th of 12 | |
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| Official website | ||
| www | ||
History
editThe club's roots in Falkirk can be traced back through the Falkirk Herald Archives to 1906 when Falkirk Rugby Football Club was first formed. The club is recorded as having played at both the Tryst and Windsor Parks before they became a casualty of the First World War; although the game was still played at Falkirk High School, then part of the Midlands Schools Rugby Association.
For over half a century Falkirk did not feature on the Scottish rugby map until 1972 when the ICI Grangemouth RFC transferred its assets to Falkirk. ICI Grangemouth RFC had been in existence for over a decade, founded in season 1962–63 by ICI employees Bill McMillan and Lyn Jones. The club growth was restricted, however, by ICI and the decision was made to move to Falkirk and start afresh. Bill McMillan was elected as the first club president in 1972 and the clubhouse was opened by Harry Ewing MP in 1980.
For the first 25 years of the new club progress was slow and movement out of the lower league divisions difficult. Three successive relegations had taken the club to a nadir. Club members voiced their concern and a new administration took over in 1997 with Alex McQuade as president elect.
Since 2000
editThereafter the club's first notable appointment was that of former Scotland, Caledonia Reds, Dundee HSFP and Hillfoots prop John Manson as club coach. Under Manson's leadership the club won the Scottish Shield in 2007 and achieved five consecutive league championship titles between 2003–04 and 2007–08. These achievements were recognised by the SRU and culminated in the club being awarded the "SRU Club of the Year" for the 2007–08 season.
Honours
edit- Scottish National League Division Two
- Champions: (1) 2007-08
- Scottish Rugby Shield
- Champions: (1) 2006-07
- Rosyth and District Sevens[1]
- Champions: (1) 1990
- McLaren HSFP Sevens[2]
- Champions: (1) 1992
- Waid Academy F.P. Sevens[3]
- Champions: (1) 1983
- Hillfoots Sevens[4]
- Champions: (1) 1981, 1982
- Holy Cross Sevens[5]
- Champions: (1) 1983
- Kirkcaldy Sevens[6]
- Champions: (1) 2015
Notable former players
editGlasgow Warriors players
editThe following former Falkirk players have represented Glasgow Warriors.
Scotland
editThe following former Fakirk players have represented Scotland at full international level.
Notable non-Scottish players
editThe following is a list of notable non-Scottish international representative former Falkirk players:
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Paraguay |
References
edit- ^ "Rosyth and District Sevens". 29 June 2019.
- ^ "McLaren HSFP Sevens". 29 June 2019.
- ^ "Waid Academy F.P. Sevens". 7 June 2019.
- ^ "Hillfoots Sevens". 7 June 2019.
- ^ "Holy Cross Sevens". 7 June 2019.
- ^ "Kirkcaldy Sevens". 7 June 2019.