Irvine RFC
| Full name | Irvine Rugby Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | Scottish Rugby Union | ||
| Founded | 1962 | ||
| Location | Irvine, Scotland | ||
| Ground(s) | Marress | ||
| League(s) | West Regional League Division 1 | ||
| 2015–16 | Scottish National League Division Three, 11th (Relegated) | ||
| |||
Irvine Rugby Football Club is a Rugby Football club in the Scottish Rugby Union, that now plays its rugby in the West Regional League Division 1. They are based in Irvine, Scotland and play their Rugby at Marress.
History
Beginning
Irvine Royal Academy was predominantly a football playing school until the late forties when a rugby playing gym teacher arrived at the school. Harry Murray, or " Stasher" as he was affectionately known, set about introducing rugby football to the uninitiated of Irvine. For twelve or so years, those who wished to continue playing rugby after school, had to travel to Ardrossan to play at the club there. In the early sixties some senior pupils at the school suggested that it was time that Irvine should have a team of its own and a meeting was held. By late 1962 Irvine Royal Academicals had been constituted with Bill Inglis, a history teacher at the school, as its first president. A young Alastair McHarg was fixture secretary, with Gus McIntyre as secretary and Alister Rennie as treasurer.
From that December to March 1963 the committee chose the club colours of a maroon jersey, as Gala were the only team who were known to play in that colour at that time and also blue stockings to connect with the school colours. Interest in the town was so strong that fixtures were organised for two teams.
First season
1963–64 was the first competitive season for the Irvine squad and one unlikely ever to be repeated again. The first time the try line was crossed was halfway through the season. The team had gone four months without conceding a try, an unbelievable feat these days. Irvine were only defeated once in their inaugural season and their club captain John McHarg, who is now one of the club coaches, set the standard for his future successors.
Name change
In 1969 the club were conscious of the population explosion in the area. With a number of new schools opening with the development of Irvine New Town the team colours remained the same, although the club would now be known as Irvine Rugby Football Club.