About Falkirk Rugby Club

Club History (in brief)

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 which was then part of a Midlands Schools Rugby Association.

For over half a century Falkirk did not feature on the Scottish rugby map until 1972 when the Club, like the Phoenix arose from the ashes when the ICI Grangemouth RFC transferred it’s assets to Falkirk and so began a new era for Scottish Rugby.

ICI Grangemouth RFC, quite separate from Grangemouth RFC, had been in existence for over a decade, founded in season 1962/63 by ICI employees Bill McMillan & Lyn Jones. The Club growth was restricted however by the ICI and the decision was made to move to Falkirk and start afresh. Bill McMillan was elected as the first Club President in 1972 with the Clubhouse being 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 new administration took over in 1997 with Alex McQuade elected as President. Thereafter the Club’s first notable appointment was that of former Hillfoots, Dundee HSFP and Scotland Prop John Manson as Club Coach. John’s work laid the foundations of the present success of the Club. This success story is underpinned by winning the Scottish Shield in season 2006/07 and achieving five consecutive league championship titles - 2003/04, 04/05, 05/06, 06/07, 07/08. No mean feat by any standard.

These achievements were recognised by the SRU and culminated in the Club being awarded the ‘SRU Club of the Year 07/08.’

Now the Club is in the Premiership of Rugby where it rightfully belongs.