Chairman's Welcome

On behalf of Glasgow Accies Rugby I welcome the President, Committee Members, Players and Coaching staff from Heriots to New Anniesland this afternoon. I hope that you have an enjoyable afternoon.

This is the first time that the Clubs have played for 13 years, however Heriots are no strangers to New Anniesland as they played here against Glasgow Hawks in 2005 to mark the centenary of New Anniesland.

There is a long and colourful history of matches between the Clubs dating back to the late 1900’s. In 1924 the newspaper headline was ‘Special trains will run on Saturday’. This related to the need to transport Accies supporters to the old international ground at Inverleith for the Heriots v Accies match. The match had been switched from Goldenacre, as it wasn’t big enough to accommodate the 18,000 spectators. This clash was recognized as the match of the season and the English Press were advising readers to take the night train to Scotland to see it

Another press report, of the same period, said that there was a disappointing crowd of 10,000 at New Anniesland on Saturday when Heriots were the visitors. Accies had eight turnstiles in operation at one time. This was indeed the golden age of club rugby.

More recently in the early 1970’s there were epic clashes between the sides when the likes of Andy Irvine, the Milne Brothers, Tony Hogarth and others pitted their skills against the Simmers Brothers, David Montgomery, Archie Hardie, Les Monaghan et al.

In the last decade the Hawks v Heriots games have always been full of interest and attacking running rugby. Not all is bad in today’s Club game despite what you read in the press.

Today it is the turn of the Scottish Cup and the round when the minnows get a chance to play against the teams from the Premier Divisions. In the past there have been many mismatches and a call to stop these games. But ask the junior clubs if they accept that and there is always a resounding NO. The Accies players were delighted when they learned that Heriots were to be the visitors. Captain Alan Wilson said he was thrilled to be playing against a First Division Club for the first time in his playing career. We are sure that all the Accies players will give 100% for this match.

Next Home Game

Saturday 29th March v Kilmarnock. Kick Off 3-00pm

Thank You

The Academical Club is greatly indebted to W.S. Steele Smart Sound Pro Audio who has recently equipped the Clubhouse with a new sound system, flat screen television and TV projection system. This equipment will be of invaluable use for all Clubhouse functions and outdoor events.

Clubhouse
All supporters are invited to join us in the Clubhouse after the match


Gordon Wilson

Chairman

Glasgow Accies Rugby


Teams


Glasgow Academicals
1st XV
Heriot’s RFC
1st XV



15 Stuart Low
14 Mike Hermes

Alan Wilson (Capt)
12 Ian Corrie

11 Scott Hazley

Gareth Williams
9 Ian Williamson

1 Matt Franklin
Matteo Giovanazzi
Jamie Coskry
4 Pete Meiklem
5 Fraser Cameron

6 Graeme Simpson

7 Grant Strang

8 Andy Pogrel


Replacements:


Colin Goudie
Jonathan Alston

James Thompson

Cameron Goodall

Michael Short

Murray Strang

Graham Wilson


Bruce McNeil

Finlay Gillies

Wullie Blacklock

Craig Simmonds

Greig Anderson

Tam McVie

Craig Fusaro

Jamie Parker



Stewart Mustard

Innes Brown

Garrett Noonan

Oliver Brown


Mr. David Walker

Irvine RFC


16 Calum Emslie
17 Niall Caddell

18 Ross Chassels

Jamie Doig


Match Referee:

Our main sponsor this year is Gibson Investments and we are very grateful to Brian Gibson and his team for their continuing support for Accies Rugby

This article was posted on 15-Feb-2008, 21:27 by Hugh Barrow.