| Members Section This section has been set up for existing and previous members. Since setting up the website we've received two emails from previous members, one now settled in Australia and the other in Sweden (see below). If anyone would like to post anything here please email to submissions@hjrfc.com and mark it for the Members section |
email received from Marten Howes 15/08/2006
Marten - we tried replying to your email but got an error message back, please
get in touch again
Found the website recently and have been searching for pictures of faces I
recognise - there were one or two in the social section but none from the
match action!
I have great memories of my time with HJRFC, playing 1st and 2nd XV in
seasons 1989-1997. We had limited success but held our own against some
tough opposition. Playing at Hughenden was always a thrill (though the
Jordanhill pitch was a bit grim sometimes.)
Very sad to hear of Willy Reid's death. He was a great supporter of the club
and worked tirelessly with the players. He was especially interested in my
medical studies, and was fascinated by all things medical. He was a great
support to the younger players, and strove a little I think to keep us from the
evil influences of drink and bus trips. We talked a lot around the time he got his
new hip, and was in a lot of pain I think, but he still turned up to rub away the
aches and pains of tired old hammies and backs, using his secret formula
liniment. He gave the recipe once, and sadly I lost it - I could retire a rich man!
As a student for 4 years I appreciated the support of the senior players and
members, who were never slow to feed me vitamin B (for Beer) and offer
encouragement. My committment to playing waned in later years as my career
committments kept me working on Saturdays, and slowly but surely life outside
rugby took over as I had to move to Edinburgh. A couple of social games there,
then children and wife (yes in that order) arrived to keep my off the paddock
for a few years. Well I find myself settled for the meantime in Western
Australia, and believe it or not am back strutting my stuff and Girning for
Scotland. The local club was getting desperate and I was persuaded to lace up
the boots and run out for the Bunbury Barbarians - I even got to pick my
position. No more "just fitting into second row for this game" - its back row for
me till I die (or the hammie give out completely.) A few blistering bursts (!) have
also brought the attentions of the local newspaper. Fame at last in the twilight
of my career!
So some high points of playing for the Hills - well I can't remember any of the
away games as the bus trips destroyed all the neurones storing
them.........though Bunter McCallum leading the singing in the party lounge, and
ensuring the Mad Dog 20/20 was passed around is a clear memory. Also his
rendition of the Portree Kid at the players Dinner one year.
Beating Watsonians on their own turf, Scott Hastings playing (sadly big Gav
was not available, but did bounce off him once during the return match at
Hughenden)
Gus Napier (there's only one Gussy Napier) - I seem to recall he had a rather
pointed way of criticising refereeing decisions.........
Our unbeaten tour to Cork one Easter (both games cancelled but lots of
Guinness drank, and an ingenious route was discovered for smuggling women
past hotel security).......oh and the "SNUFF INCIDENT"
Fred the barman of course features highly in my memories, I may still owe the
bar a bit for carry-outs......
They were great times, and I thank all who welcomed me to the club that first
season (only get a regular "hairdryer" from coach Sincy) and made my time
there so enjoyable. I have my Hills top, the old quaters one - a bit old
fashioned now I see, and it is getting a bit tight.
Best wishes to all who remember me, and good luck for season 2006-7
Marten Howes
(now Dr., and Deputy Director Emergency Department, Bunbury Regional
Hospital, Bunbury, Western Australia)
PS Glad to welcome any Hills players if they pass through these parts. Bring
your boots, you may even get a game!
Marten - we tried replying to your email but got an error message back, please
get in touch again
Found the website recently and have been searching for pictures of faces I
recognise - there were one or two in the social section but none from the
match action!
I have great memories of my time with HJRFC, playing 1st and 2nd XV in
seasons 1989-1997. We had limited success but held our own against some
tough opposition. Playing at Hughenden was always a thrill (though the
Jordanhill pitch was a bit grim sometimes.)
Very sad to hear of Willy Reid's death. He was a great supporter of the club
and worked tirelessly with the players. He was especially interested in my
medical studies, and was fascinated by all things medical. He was a great
support to the younger players, and strove a little I think to keep us from the
evil influences of drink and bus trips. We talked a lot around the time he got his
new hip, and was in a lot of pain I think, but he still turned up to rub away the
aches and pains of tired old hammies and backs, using his secret formula
liniment. He gave the recipe once, and sadly I lost it - I could retire a rich man!
As a student for 4 years I appreciated the support of the senior players and
members, who were never slow to feed me vitamin B (for Beer) and offer
encouragement. My committment to playing waned in later years as my career
committments kept me working on Saturdays, and slowly but surely life outside
rugby took over as I had to move to Edinburgh. A couple of social games there,
then children and wife (yes in that order) arrived to keep my off the paddock
for a few years. Well I find myself settled for the meantime in Western
Australia, and believe it or not am back strutting my stuff and Girning for
Scotland. The local club was getting desperate and I was persuaded to lace up
the boots and run out for the Bunbury Barbarians - I even got to pick my
position. No more "just fitting into second row for this game" - its back row for
me till I die (or the hammie give out completely.) A few blistering bursts (!) have
also brought the attentions of the local newspaper. Fame at last in the twilight
of my career!
So some high points of playing for the Hills - well I can't remember any of the
away games as the bus trips destroyed all the neurones storing
them.........though Bunter McCallum leading the singing in the party lounge, and
ensuring the Mad Dog 20/20 was passed around is a clear memory. Also his
rendition of the Portree Kid at the players Dinner one year.
Beating Watsonians on their own turf, Scott Hastings playing (sadly big Gav
was not available, but did bounce off him once during the return match at
Hughenden)
Gus Napier (there's only one Gussy Napier) - I seem to recall he had a rather
pointed way of criticising refereeing decisions.........
Our unbeaten tour to Cork one Easter (both games cancelled but lots of
Guinness drank, and an ingenious route was discovered for smuggling women
past hotel security).......oh and the "SNUFF INCIDENT"
Fred the barman of course features highly in my memories, I may still owe the
bar a bit for carry-outs......
They were great times, and I thank all who welcomed me to the club that first
season (only get a regular "hairdryer" from coach Sincy) and made my time
there so enjoyable. I have my Hills top, the old quaters one - a bit old
fashioned now I see, and it is getting a bit tight.
Best wishes to all who remember me, and good luck for season 2006-7
Marten Howes
(now Dr., and Deputy Director Emergency Department, Bunbury Regional
Hospital, Bunbury, Western Australia)
PS Glad to welcome any Hills players if they pass through these parts. Bring
your boots, you may even get a game!
email received from Craig Neilson 11/09/2006
Hi its Craig Neilson, I played with all the guys for a long time at club and always
look out for the results.
It looks like it is going to be tough season ahead for the club, but i wish
everyone all the best of luck, Its hard when you get into a losing streak, but i
remember a few years ago when we were in the the same situation, we were
losing games, but we pulled together for each other and we looked after each
other.
1 big factor that year for our turn around was that Keith Robertson came into
the coaching side, he just gave the guys so much heart, I remember watching
him play when i was young and he was the hardest guy i knew he had the
biggest heart for the club. I know that he has went on to pastures knew but
there are other people around in the club that has got a big heart for the club
and i hope those guys will come and help the new and younger guys get
through this hard time.
I had so many good times at the club, I know myself i let a lot of people down
in some games ( East Kilbride) As Bernie will recall, but there were also a lot of
highlights in there as well for me. In Peter Beggs 1st season it was 1 of the
best for me, we had a great team, great buzz around the club, with young and
old players coming together well.
That year all started with a great pre season and then we just clicked, we lost
our 1st game in Berwick then we started winning and to be fair we were very
close to promotion, if we had beaten Ayr then Iam sure we would have done it,
But i will never forget that Ayr game down in Ayr, not the nicest of places to
go for a game of rugby.
Myself being very young and as most people knew not the biggest, but that
game i grew up a bit, playing with guys like kieron the tim and Oneil the other
tim, I got smashed a few times, but 1 time i got cleared out of a ruck we will
say, and i thought a train had just run over me but i remember looking up and
keith and kieron standing saying get the xxxx up and dont let them see your in
pain.
Now Iam Coaching as i had a bad injury in 2004, it has gone very well over the
last 2 years in Sweden, I have been taking my coaching badges from the IRB
and at the same time been head coach for 2 different clubs, last year my club
lost in the final my new club this year have won 14 out of 14 and going for the
final.
1 thing i can say is that i try and say the same as Keith you might have all the
skill in the world but if you dont have the heart then you will fail.
I really hope that all the club pulls around and get the Hills of the bottom of the
league, i wish everyone good luck for the rest of the season, and maybe 1 day i
will get to play against some of the guys I played with.
Zinny I hope i will be back around the same time so we can catch up and get fat
boy Jim down as well.
Best regards
Craig
Hi its Craig Neilson, I played with all the guys for a long time at club and always
look out for the results.
It looks like it is going to be tough season ahead for the club, but i wish
everyone all the best of luck, Its hard when you get into a losing streak, but i
remember a few years ago when we were in the the same situation, we were
losing games, but we pulled together for each other and we looked after each
other.
1 big factor that year for our turn around was that Keith Robertson came into
the coaching side, he just gave the guys so much heart, I remember watching
him play when i was young and he was the hardest guy i knew he had the
biggest heart for the club. I know that he has went on to pastures knew but
there are other people around in the club that has got a big heart for the club
and i hope those guys will come and help the new and younger guys get
through this hard time.
I had so many good times at the club, I know myself i let a lot of people down
in some games ( East Kilbride) As Bernie will recall, but there were also a lot of
highlights in there as well for me. In Peter Beggs 1st season it was 1 of the
best for me, we had a great team, great buzz around the club, with young and
old players coming together well.
That year all started with a great pre season and then we just clicked, we lost
our 1st game in Berwick then we started winning and to be fair we were very
close to promotion, if we had beaten Ayr then Iam sure we would have done it,
But i will never forget that Ayr game down in Ayr, not the nicest of places to
go for a game of rugby.
Myself being very young and as most people knew not the biggest, but that
game i grew up a bit, playing with guys like kieron the tim and Oneil the other
tim, I got smashed a few times, but 1 time i got cleared out of a ruck we will
say, and i thought a train had just run over me but i remember looking up and
keith and kieron standing saying get the xxxx up and dont let them see your in
pain.
Now Iam Coaching as i had a bad injury in 2004, it has gone very well over the
last 2 years in Sweden, I have been taking my coaching badges from the IRB
and at the same time been head coach for 2 different clubs, last year my club
lost in the final my new club this year have won 14 out of 14 and going for the
final.
1 thing i can say is that i try and say the same as Keith you might have all the
skill in the world but if you dont have the heart then you will fail.
I really hope that all the club pulls around and get the Hills of the bottom of the
league, i wish everyone good luck for the rest of the season, and maybe 1 day i
will get to play against some of the guys I played with.
Zinny I hope i will be back around the same time so we can catch up and get fat
boy Jim down as well.
Best regards
Craig
Message received from Robin Campbell
Robin Campbell sends best wishes to former colleagues at Jordanhill RFC.Robin
has many happy memories of playing at Kilmardinny from 1971 to 1985
He was President of the club in 1985 but had to give up the post when work
took him down south.The reins were taken over by VP at the time Dick Young
Although living in Hertfordshire he still follows what is going on at Hughenden
via his son,ex Hillhead and Jordanhill forward Douglas who has now decided to
take up the whistle
Robin Campbell sends best wishes to former colleagues at Jordanhill RFC.Robin
has many happy memories of playing at Kilmardinny from 1971 to 1985
He was President of the club in 1985 but had to give up the post when work
took him down south.The reins were taken over by VP at the time Dick Young
Although living in Hertfordshire he still follows what is going on at Hughenden
via his son,ex Hillhead and Jordanhill forward Douglas who has now decided to
take up the whistle
