Kilmarnock RFC
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Kilmarnock Rugby Football Club was founded in 1868. They play in the BT National Leagues of Scottish Rugby. Their ground is at Bellsland, Queens Drive, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.
One of the oldest Rugby Union clubs in Scotland, Kilmarnock Football Club owes its existence to KRFC as an internal dispute about which football rules to adopt resulted in a breakaway in early 1869 by those more willing to play Association Football.
Interestingly, the town of Kilmarnock also boasts one of Scotland’s oldest cricket clubs, oldest golf clubs (based at Barassie in Troon) and the oldest bowling club in Scotland. Indeed, the rules of lawn bowls in play today are those first implemented in Kilmarnock. Truly a town with a proud sporting heritage.
KRFC’s long history has been one of varied success and interesting stories.
When the Scottish National Leagues were introduced in 1973, Killie were, much to their annoyance, placed in the 3rd Division by the Scottish Rugby Union. This was promptly won that season without loss. The following season saw Killie being runners up in Division 2, gaining promotion to the top league. They remained there until 1981 after which a period of promotion and relegation between the 1st and 2nd Divisions was the norm.
In 1978, Killie achieved their highest league position by finishing 3rd in Division 1. In 1986, Killie were the only team to beat the mighty Hawick as they swept all aside to win yet another Championship.
Since the change in league structure to embrace professionalism, Killie have struggled to hold onto their better players and now languish in Division 2 of the BT National Leagues, effectively the old Division 5. A sad place for a proud and successful club to be.
An interesting tale surrounds the first recorded use of air travel by a club when some players chartered a plane to fly to Jedburgh to fulfil a fixture some 50 years ago. It is also likely that Killie took part in the first floodlit rugby match at Rugby Park, now the home of Kilmarnock FC.
There is also a school of thought that South African team Transvaal, now the Lions, adopted the famous Kilmarnock strip of white top with red hoop as a Kilmarnock member, a Dr Frew, was a driving force behind their formation in 1889.
Kilmarnock had a reputation in the 1960's & 70's of producing top class seven a side teams who won many tournamnets in the west of Scotland. This form was sadly never taken into the Border's Sevens Circuit in the 70's & 80's when Killie were a regular feature in all the most prestigious events.
Players to have played for Scotland whilst at Kilmarnock are Andrew Ross and Bill Cuthbertson. Andrew toured with the British Lions in 1924 while Bill was part of the 1984 Grand Slam winning team. Bill also played for Barbarians FC while at Killie. Other players of note to have played for Killie include; Niven Rose, Hugh McHardy, Ian Blake, Derek Stark, John Robertson, Derek Martin, Brian Gilbert, John McHarg, Gavin Angus, Hugh Hamilton, Stewart Porter, Scott Grant, Hugh Parker, Dougie Smith, David Gray and Iain Coull.
