Full name | Biggar Rugby Football Club |
---|---|
Union | Scottish Rugby Union |
Founded | 1975 |
Location | Biggar, Scotland |
Ground(s) | Hartree Mill |
President | Alistair Stewart |
Coach(es) | Derek Armstrong |
Captain(s) | Douglas Notman |
League(s) | Scottish National League Division Two |
2015–16 | 7th |
Official website | |
www |
Biggar RFC was formed in 1975 by five men who had been heavily involved in rugby clubs in their younger days and thought that the area might sustain a new social rugby club. These were Dr. Mike Bewsher (Melrose), Richard Carr (Harlequins), Les Clerihew (Stewarts College), Archie Stott (Hawick Trades) and Tom Wight (Melrose).
Twenty-eight years later, at the end of season 2003–04, the club found itself promoted to the top division in Scotland for season 2004–05. The media thought Biggar would drop straight back down into the 2nd division of the Scottish Premiership for the 2005–06 season. However the club not only survived but finished 5th, the club's highest ever finish. Its second season was not so successful, as they slipped to relegation. In 2012–13 season the club finished 8th in the National League, the second tier of club rugby, after a late season run of good results.
The club happened to be in the Edinburgh District set up but is not in Edinburgh. On the fringes of the Scottish Borders, it is in South Lanarkshire.
Normally, of the 1st XV squad of 19 players who take to the field each Saturday, 14 or 15 have been with the club since starting to play the game in the ‘Minis'. The club also fields a 2nd XV squad who are in a reserve league, similarly mainly made up of players who have grown up at the club.
Biggar RFC built its own clubhouse premises in 1989 and now owns some 30 acres (120,000 m2) of ground. A new first team pitch was sown a couple of seasons ago, which now that drainage is installed is ready for use by the first XV.
Biggar's most notable player is Scott Lawson. The hooker played for Biggar before going on to gain 46 Scotland caps at full international level.