Union | Scottish Rugby Union |
---|---|
Founded | 1972 |
Location | Falkirk, Scotland |
Ground(s) | CALA Park |
League(s) | Scottish National League Division One |
2015–16 | Scottish National League Division One, 2nd (Promoted) |
Official website | |
www |
Falkirk RFC is a rugby union based in Falkirk, Scotland.
Falkirk currently compete in BT National League Division 1, the second tier of Scottish club rugby. The club play their home matches at Cala Park, Falkirk.
The 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.
Thereafter the club's first notable appointment was that of former Scotland, Caledonia Reds, Dundee HSFP and Hillfoots prop John Manson as club coach. John's work laid the foundations of the present success of the club. Under John's leadership the club won the Scottish Shield in season 2006–07 and achieved five consecutive league championship titles; 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07 and 2007–08. These achievements were recognised by the SRU and culminated in the club being awarded the "SRU Club of the Year" in the 2007–08 season.
Since that date they have had a further promotion from Scottish Hydro Premier Division 3 to 2 in season 2009–10 and maintained their Premier 2 status during the 2010–11 season.