In the late 1960’s, most rugby clubs in the west of Scotland were for old boys of fee paying schools but some clubs were being formed where members of such clubs preferred to play locally.  In 1969 clubs had already been formed in Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Oban and old clubs like Uddingston, Whitecraigs, Craigielea and Stirling had been resurrected.

It so happened at that time that three rugby enthusiasts in the village of Hardgate just north of Clydebank regularly met at the local garage wile refuelling their cars on a Sunday morning and it soon became known to Kinloch Campbell who owned the garage that Ian Bruce played with a West of Scotland XV, Robin Veitch with a Glasgow Accies XV and Alan Robinson was a regular at Hughenden. Although he had never played himself, Kinloch Campbell had a cousin who had just been capped for Scotland.  Others who visited the garage soon became involved in the weekly banter and one week it was agreed to introduce them to the game at Dumbarton.  Soon the migrants from Clydebank were playing in the Dumbarton teams but one evening a number of old players returned to Dumbarton for a midweek fixture.  They were immediately selected and the Bankies were discarded. 

That night it was decided to form our own club in Clydebank.

One of our number was Gordon Turner, the son of Clydebanks provost and he was instructed to find suitable playing facilities.  A local lawyer was persuaded to become secretary and the bank manager to become treasurer.  Robin Veitch became match secretary, Ian Bruce - club captain and Alan Robinson undertook to take up refereeing.   A local doctor, Jimmy Robertson, who was still remembered as a very capable 400m athlete and who had played for Jordanhill, agreed to become president.  The manager of a new hotel being built in the town was a rugby enthusiast from the east coast so on 29^th May 1969 at the Hotel Radnor it was agreed formally to create Clydebank Rugby Club and adopt a draft constitution.

Having not been able to find available pitches, the club held their initial training at a local farm where it is remembered the session began with the words “this is a rugby ball”.  To say that Clydebank was unfamiliar with the rugby world would be an understatement although some of the older members of the community did recall a rugby team at Clydebank High School before the war.  This ignorance resulted in the unofficial club motto “round balls are for hitting with golf clubs”.  By September 1969 the club was permitted to play at Whitecrook which was previously used on for the Dumbartonshire School Sports.  Rugby posts were erected and a pitch laid out by the club itself.  There were no changing facilities at Whitecrook but arrangements were made to change at John Brown recreation ground with teams walking the 200 yds to the pitch.

On Monday 1^st September 1969 Clydebank Rugby Club played its first match against a Presidents XV captained by Richard Alan of Hutchesons and Scotland – a full cousin of Kinloch Campbell who appropriately scored the first try to give the new club a 3 point lead.  Sadly the lead did not last long and the visitors won easily but more importantly rugby had come to Clydebank.  The match was followed by an informal dinner in the Hotel Radnor which introduced the members to another tradition of the rugby world.

On the following Saturday the 1^st XV played Dumfries 2^nd XV at Dumfries and the 2^nd XV played Ardrossan.  Before the end of that first season the club regularly fielded three XVs and the game had been introduced to Clydebank High School pupils who attended special coaching sessions on Saturday mornings.

One Friday night, the wooden posts were chopped down but there was no match the following day and it was arranged that four pipes surplus to the requirements of the Queen Mary when she had been built in Clydebank 35 years earlier, would be erected during the following days and linked by two crossbars. These posts still stand today.

As leagues were introduced the Bankies joined the Glasgow District League 1^st Division  but after four years suffered their only demotion.  In 1983 they regained their place in the 1^st Division  and the following year were promoted to National League Division 7.  Since then they have twice been champions of the league and only demoted as a result of reorganisation. 

Being so close to senior clubs in West Glasgow and Suburbs, Clydebank has regularly lost their best players to clubs who appeared to offer better opportunities.  Two founder members went to Kelvinside Academy, some to Hillhead and over the years many have joined West of Scotland.  David Ross was one who did and played very successfully for them – indeed he was invited to join the Scottish squad and played in one or two official trials.  When a Glasgow High player joined Clydebank High school staff, a number of players went to Old Anniesland despite the fact that it was Alan Robinson and Robin Veitch who refereed the high school games with no help from GHSFP!  One of the best players produced by Clydebank was Kenny Knox – a very talented stand off.  If he had been more committed and had found employment locally, many believe he could have made the Scottish squad …. at least!!

In the early years the club had the Hopkirk brothers who had learned their rugby in Rhodesia and more recently Peter Dow – a fine scrum half and general utility player; and Ronnie McKee a really good hooker and laterally wing forward.  Many others through the years showed considerable skill on the field and at one time there were seven Clydebank boys in the West of Scotland 1^st XV and in coaching and other administrative posts so vital to the continuation – let alone the development of rugby in Clydebank.

Although changing  facilities had been built at Whitecrook in 1974 the use of the pitch was on a yearly basis only and there was only one pitch.  A second pitch in Dalmuir was used regularly by the 2^nd XV with the changing facilities at Whitecrook.  With the demise of Strathclyde Region in 1995 a lease of Whitecrook was given to a trust set up by the club.  This has enabled us to play on Sundays when necessary and restart youth rugby on Sundays.

Clydebank Rugby Club plays an important part in the sporting life of the town.  If rugby can be developed in the local schools, the future will be secure.

We are currently trying to put together a list of all previous club captains and vice captains since 1969, see Club High Heid Yins page.  This information hasn't been easy to get hold of so if any ex-bankies can fill in the gaps, it would be appreciated.

Memorable Days

Here is a report from the Clydebank Post reporting on a memorable day in CRFC history when five teams took to the field and all won.

However, we can not remember the date, so if anyone can help out please contact us.

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