Helensburgh RFC
| Full name | Helensburgh Rugby Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Union | Scottish Rugby Union | |
| Founded | 1963 | |
| Location | Helensburgh, Scotland | |
| Ground | Ardencaple | |
| President | Euan Ramsay | |
| Coach(es) | G.Mathieson & B.MacDonald | |
| Captain | Warren Smith | |
| League | West Division Two | |
| 2019–20 | West Division Two, 9th of 10 | |
| ||
Helensburgh RFC is a rugby union side based in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. They play their home games at Ardencaple.[1]
History
The club was founded in 1963 and celebrated its golden jubilee in 2013.[2] The event attracted 400 guests from around the world for a celebratory dinner.[3]
Trivia
The Helensburgh rugby team made the news in 2004 when their 1st XV all became fathers in the space of 5 years; all of them together having 15 sons; enough for a new 1st XV.[4]
The Princess Royal visited Helensburgh RFC in 2012 and opened a new stand at the ground.[5]
Helensburgh Sevens
The club run the Helensburgh Sevens tournament.[6][7] This 7s Tournament has been running since 1972. [8]
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Birkmyre (2) |
| 2024 | Birkmyre |
| 2023 | Glasgow Caledonian University |
| 2022 | Glasgow Academicals |
| 2014 | Helensburgh (2) |
| 2013 | Glasgow University |
| 2012 | Greenock Wanderers (2) |
| 2009 | Greenock Wanderers |
| 2005 | Oban Lorne |
| 1988 | Irvine |
| 1987 | Clydebank |
| 1986 | Glasgow High Kelvinside (2) |
| 1985 | East Kilbride (4) |
| 1984 | Cartha Queens Park (2) |
| 1983 | Cartha Queens Park |
| 1982 | Drumpellier |
| 1981 | Lenzie (3) |
| 1980 | East Kilbride (3) |
| 1979 | Lenzie (2) |
| 1978 | East Kilbride (2) |
| 1977 | Lenzie |
| 1976 | East Kilbride |
| 1975 | St. Mungo Academicals |
| 1974 | Cartha |
| 1973 | Glasgow HSFP |
| 1972 | Helensburgh |
Other Sevens
The Royal Navy host their Northern Sevens at Ardencaple. Helensburgh are allowed to participate as ground owners; however they can not represent the Royal Navy in subsequent matches.[9] The Helensburgh side reached the final in 2017.[10]
Honours
1971–72 Helensburgh 7s Festival Winners - Russell Davidson Trophy
1972–73 Glasgow District Rugby Union (GDRU) Winners - First formal GDRU Leagues formed - Divisions 1 to 5.
1976–77 Promoted to National League Division 7 - Leagues had been reformed after formation of the SRU (National League Divisions 1 to 7) in season 1973–74 with Helensburgh assigned Division 1.
1977–78 Dunbartonshire Cup Winners
1979–80 Helensburgh 7s Tournament Winners
1987–88 Helensburgh Over 30s Tournament Winners
1987–88 GDRU Division 2 Winners - Promoted to Division 1
1987–88 Dumbartonshire Cup Winners
1994–95 GDRU Division 2 Winners - Promoted to Division 1.
1995–96 GDRU Division 1 Winners - Promoted to National League 7 via 4 way District winners play-offs (Helensburgh, Carnoustie, Orkney, Heriot Watt Uni)
1996–97 National League Division 7 Runners Up - Promoted to NL 6
1997–98 National League Division 7 Runners up - Promoted to NL 5
1998–99 National Div 5 Winners - Promoted to NL 4
1999–00 Oban 7s Winners
1999–00 Strathendrick 7s Winners
2000–01 Loch Lomond 7s Winners
2001–02 SRU National League Team of the Year presented at Murrayfield.
2001–02 National Div 4 Winners - Promoted to NL 3
2001–02 SRU National League Player of the Year - Kieran Verryt (Winger)
2004–05 Clydebank 10s Winners
2010–11 Clydebank 10s Winners
2011–12 SRU National Bowl Winners - Played at Murryfield
2011–12 West Regional Bowl Winners
2011–12 West Region League Division 2 Winners - SRU League reorganisation with Burgh assigned to West League 2
2023–24 West Region League Division 3 Runners Up - Promoted to Division 2
References
- ^ "Contact - Helensburgh Rugby Club". www.helensburghcrfc.co.uk/.
- ^ "Helensburgh Heritage Trust". helensburgh-heritage.co.uk.
- ^ "Club scene: Helensburgh celebrate their 50th with hope of many happy returns". HeraldScotland. 17 September 2013.
- ^ "Throwback Thursday: Helensburgh Rugby Club's dads won 2004 'generation game'". Helensburgh Advertiser. 6 June 2019.
- ^ "Helensburgh Rugby Club". www.lordlieutenantdunbartonshire.co.uk.
- ^ "Helensburgh Sevens". 10 June 2019.
- ^ "Rugby: Helensburgh sevens tournament to take place this weekend". 26 May 2022.
- ^ "Helensburgh Sevens". Scottish Sevens tournaments. 10 June 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Royal Navy Northern Region Sevens". 30 June 2019.
- ^ "News in brief: Lifeboat in action, National Theatre of Scotland, rugby sevens". 11 May 2017.