Following up the story on the history of the great Anniesland rivalry between Accies and GHK now encapsulated in the David Gilmore Trophy match another interesting facet has come to light

The Hawks "Who do think you are" investigative team swung into action

The quiet man of the Hawks Coaching team Chris Reid has a hitherto unrealised Anniesland pedigree that goes a long way back to days of great triumph and some of great disappointment

As the Scots prepare for another step in the 101 year old journey to Billy William's Cabbage Patch in the Borough of Richmond in pursuit of glory.Chris's grandfather Andrew Dykes took that very same journey in 1932

Andrew S Dykes was a member of one of the greatest Club back divisions in the history of Scottish club rugby the Glasgow Accies team of 1920/30s

A back division that provided Scotland with Nelson,Waddell Simmers and Jimmy and Andrew Dykes

In 2011 we travel in hope to Twickenham as did Andrew Dykes in 1932
He played full back in the Scottish side alongside Max Simmers and Bobby Rowand of Glasgow HSFP that lost 3-16 to England


Since Twickenham opened just over a century ago Scotland has only won in four occasions and on three of them Anniesland was well represented

1926 won 19-7 when half the team came from Anniesland
4 Glasgow Accies-
Max Simmers-Herbert Waddell-Jimmy Dykes-Jimmy Nelson
3 Glasgow HSFP-
John Bannerman- Jimmy Ireland(Old Anniesland stand named in his honour)- Gordon Boyd


1938 won 21-16
Laurie Duff Glasgow Accies and British Lions
Wilson Shaw Glasgow HSFP -Captain who scored the match winning try

And of course 1983 when Scotland win 22-12 with
John Beattie Glasgow Accies on the pitch

It is much easier to write history than make history but heres hoping Johnnie Beattie can help add a fifth win thus adding another chapter to that history

This article was posted on 28-Feb-2011, 19:24 by Hugh Barrow.