Stirling County RFC
| Full name | Stirling County Rugby Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | Scottish Rugby Union | ||
| Nickname(s) | The County | ||
| Founded | 1880 (as Stirling High School FP) | ||
| Region | Stirling | ||
| Ground(s) | Bridgehaugh - "The Haugh!" (Capacity: 4,000) | ||
| President | John Wright | ||
| Coach(es) | Dave Adamson | ||
| Captain(s) | Callum Hunter-Hill | ||
| League(s) | Scottish Premiership | ||
| 2015–16 | 8th | ||
| |||
| Official website | |||
| www | |||
Stirling County RFC is a rugby union club in the Scottish Rugby Union based in Stirling that plays in the Scottish Premiership.
History
During the season of 2004–05, Stirling County celebrated its centenary. Rugby has its origins in the town in the 1870s, resulting in the formation of Stirling High School F.P.’s in the latter part of the nineteenth century. The F.P. club joined the Scottish Rugby Union in 1904, hence the celebration of the centenary this season. In 1925, Bridge of Allan Rugby Club was founded with both clubs uniting in 1946 to form Stirling County.
While the team of 1959–60 went undefeated, it was not until the formation of the national leagues in the 1970s that Stirling had a springboard to success. Another vital factor was the creation of a strong and vibrant youth section at this time. In 1995, County achieved the unique distinction of being the first club to rise through the ranks from the depths of the seventh division and win the Scottish Championship.
Uniquely, the club played against the Barbarians at Stirling Albion F.C. home, Forthbank Stadium in 1995. The club has been prolific in producing a large number of age-group internationalists while senior internationalists who have worn County’s colours include George Graham, Allister Hogg, Ian Jardine, Alastair Kellock, Kenny Logan, Kevin McKenzie, Alison McGrandles, James McLaren, Richie Gray, Grant Gilchrist (Current Scotland Captain), Adam Ashe and Finn Russell.
In 2012–13, County recorded their highest league finish for 16 years, third place in RBS Premier One, and qualified for the cross-border British & Irish Cup competition for the second consecutive year.
Stirling County also has the most successful youth set-up, winning the Scottish National Youth League Cup more times than any other team, with County's Under-18s winning the trophy for the third consecutive year in 2012–13, their fifth win in the past six years, and County's Under-16s joint National Youth League Cup holders 2014–15. Both County's Under-18s and Under-16s compete in the inaugural National President's Conference Youth Leagues. The Under-18s won the league and were undefeated doing so.
One of Stirling County's main assets are the Leishman brothers (grandsons to the infamous McNaughton clan from The Glen). The 2 brothers have been influential in the clubs success in the past years due to their very generous donations. The kind hearted brothers will always be remembered for their vast wealth and being the only family in Scotland to own 7 (possibly 8) munros on their land.
Stirling County's 2nd XV whose captain is the leader of men Blair Gilchrist compete in RBS National Reserve League One and the 3rd XV play in Caledonia Division 3 Midland.
Stirling County's Women's play in the top-flight BT Women's Premier League.
External links
- Official Site: http://www.stirlingcounty-rfc.co.uk/