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LiviRFC50th - 5 weeks to go!

LiviRFC50th - 5 weeks to go!

Maria MacAulay7 Jul 2018 - 09:59
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#LiviRFC50th

5 weeks until we start celebrating our50th
- Livingston RFC
The Beginning
In 1968, Bathgate Rugby Club played its home matches in Airdrie and there was no rugby club in Livingston – but that was about to change. A meeting was set up by Jack Nixon (Youth Officer of West Lothian County Council in the 1960s) aimed at those interested in setting up a rugby club in Livingston. Some of the Bathgate players – amongst them Alwyn O’Neill and Jimmy Irvine – attended this meeting which was also attended by Jim Sandilands and George Smith who both worked for Livingston Development Corporation.
It was agreed at the meeting that Bathgate Rugby Club would be wound up and its members would become members of the newly formed Livingston and District Rugby Football Club. The “and District” was insisted upon by Alwyn O’Neill to safeguard future membership to those living outside Livingston.
The club applied for membership of Edinburgh and District Union in 1968. All matches would be played away from home as no home pitch was yet available.
Colours – Dark Blue jersey, white shorts and socks.
Jim Sandilands became the first president and Ian Wilson its first captain.
What happened next – watch this space!
Further reading