Glasgow Hutchesons Aloysians RFC

History

The club was established by the 2002 merger between Glasgow Southern RFC and Hutchesons' - Aloysians' RFC. The former club was originally known as Clarkston but was renamed in 1995 with the ambition of creating the premier side on the South Side of Glasgow. The latter club was also formed as the result of an earlier merger between the former pupils (FPs) clubs of Hutchesons' Grammar School and St Aloysius' College. The merged club is now firmly established as the premier club on the South Side of Glasgow.

Hutchesons’ Grammar School F. P. R. F. C.

The Club was formed in 1923 playing out of Auldhouse, the school’s sports ground in Thornliebank. Admitted as a full member of the Scottish Rugby Union in 1937, the Hutchesons’ Club entered the National League system in Season 1973 at 2nd Division level, having dispensed with tradition to some degree by opting for "Open" status two years previously, a significant decision forced, by necessity, on many Scottish F.P. Clubs at that time.

1990 was to see further constitutional change when the club agreed amalgamation with close friends and one time rivals to form Hutchesons' Aloysians R.F.C.

Old Aloysians R.F.C.

By contrast, the Old Aloysians’ club was formed in 1955 for the sole purpose of undertaking a challenge match against the extremely successful Saint Aloysius’ College 1st XV. The unexpected success of this venture resulted in a decision to seek regular fixtures which led to a continuing upsurge in interest and the inevitable and rapid expansion of the F.P. Club. The first fixture was against Hutchesons’ Grammar F.P.R.F.C., coincident with the invitation from Hutchesons’ Grammar School to Saint Aloysius’ College 1st XV to undertake regular fixtures. This long standing friendship led to the amalgamation in season 1990–91.

Hutchesons’ Aloysians R.F.C.

Richard Allan was selected as the club’s first full internationalist for the Irish fixture at Murrayfield in 1969, to be followed by other distinguished players who gained representative honours. Brothers Gordon and Alan Bulloch were to gain national caps, with the former captaining the national side on several occasions. Ray Nelson was to achieve caps for the United States national team the U.S. Eagles.

Clarkston R.F.C.

Unlike the two Former Pupil Clubs now involved at Braidholm, Clarkston R .F.C., since its formation in 1937, has always been an "Open" club, created by a variety of former pupil rugby players who did not wish to undertake cross city travel to indulge in their sport. Significantly the first club chairman was a Glasgow Academical, the first President a Glasgow High Former Pupil and the longest serving Club Captain and Coach, Andrew Williams a product of Allan Glen’s.

Playing initially at the local authority’s Overlee ground, years of tireless fund raising saw the Club’s new facility at Braidholm opened by S.R.U. President Charlie Drummond in January 1971. The Club entered the new National League structure in 1973 at 4th Division level, rising through the years to division two. With three pitches. floodlights, 250 seater stand and expanded Clubhouse, in recognition of its changing character and by a significant membership majority at the May 1995 A.G.M., the Club altered its name to Glasgow Southern R.F.C.

Glasgow Southern R.F.C.

Over several years a variety of players graduated through the Club participation from both youth and senior level to achieve representative status. Full International caps were awarded to Gordon McIlwham, and Euan Murray while others have achieved selection at Youth level.

Further Development

Agreement reached with a development organisation saw the original 1970 Clubhouse demolished to make way for a health club. A new, state of the art, Clubhouse was formally opened by S.R.U. President Ronnie Young at Braidholm in January 2002. The Glasgow Southern name was only to survive for seven years before it became evident to all concerned that the sport on the south side of Glasgow would be best served through amalgamation, an initiative formalised in May 2002 with the formation of Glasgow Hutchesons’ Aloysians Rugby Football Club.

Senior Rugby

GHA run 5 senior sides, catering for all abilities and attitudes - The club's 1st XV and 2nd XV teams play at a highly-competitive national level, with the 3rd XV (known as the GHA Lions) and 4th XV (known as the GHA Sharks) competing within the regional reserve leagues. Additionally there is a long established veterans team (known as the GHA Gazelles) who participate in a variety of social, friendly and touring matches.

Recent Results

Following the amalgamation, GHA took the place of the newly promoted Hutchesons Aloysians in Premiership Division Two, with the new club achieving promotion to Premiership Division One at the first attempt. The club has since spent three seasons in the top division - 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2007/08. Following three seasons in Premiership Two which saw a wealth of the club's most experienced players depart, ended in relegation to Premiership Three for season 2011/12.

In Premiership Three, with the arrival of a new coaching team and experienced ex-professionals Andrew Henderson and Hefin O'Hare GHA managed to finish second but due to league restructuring were denied promotion. Within the newly regionalised third tier of 2012/13 the club achieved promotion by winning RBS Championship A thanks to a historic 23-0 final day, winner-takes-all match away to local rivals Cartha Queens Park.

Following a difficult first season back in the second tier the club once again had a complete change of coaching team, which almost saw a surprise return to the Premiership during season 2014/15, only to be denied 39-22 in a relegation / promotion play-off with Stirling County. In yet another severe reversal of fortunes, the club suffered a season of disappointment in 2015/16, flirted with relegation until safety was assured on the penultimate weekend of the season.

Competitive Playing Record (2002 - Present)

Record correct as of 23/04/2016

Current 1st XV Squad

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Centurions Club

The following players have represented GHA's 1st XV on more than 100 occasions. Appearances for the original constituent clubs are also included on this list.

These totals are accurate to 18/02/2017.

_{^*Appearances include games played for Glasgow Southern/Clarkston
^†Appearances include games played for Hutchesons' Aloysians
^BoldActive Players}

Junior Rugby

GHA has a large junior rugby section consisting of over 300 boys and girls ranging from micros up to Under 18s. The junior section has contributed several players to the senior set up including James Eddie who subsequently signed for Glasgow's professional team, the Glasgow Warriors.

GHA's ongoing ties with Hutchesons' Grammar School and St. Aloysius' College can also be seen from the large number of pupils and former pupils of both schools playing at the club. Links have also been forged with local state schools, particularly Williamwood High School and Mearns Castle High School whose pupils and former pupils are also widely represented throughout the club.

The GHA Rugby Academy

The GHA Rugby Academy was established in 2012 and is aimed at helping talented young players at the club to realise their potential and achieve their rugby ambitions.

The GHA Rugby Academy offers the club's most talented young players an opportunity to experience a professional approach to training and playing rugby. It was set up to produce future 1st XV players for GHA RFC, provide more players for the Glasgow district set up and ultimately get more players into National Age Grade Squads. It was seen as a necessary development and use of the clubs limited resources in order to develop the long term sustainability of the club and support its long term ambitions.

Notable former players

This is a list of former GHA players who had or went on to gain full-time professional contracts within a full-time professional rugby squad and/or achieved senior International, International A or International 7s Honours.

This list does not include players who were allocated to play for GHA in the Scottish Rugby draft whereby players from Scotland's full-time professional squads - Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby - are annually drafted by Scottish Premiership clubs to play for them on weekends when not selected for the professional teams. During GHA's spell in the Premiership, current Scotland Internationals Johnnie Beattie and John Barclay were among those to be allocated to play for them.

Post the 2002 amalgamation

Active:

Retired:

Pre the 2002 amalgamation

Active:

Retired:

Scotland Club Internationalists

Scotland U20/U21 Age Grade Internationalists

The following players gained either Under 20 or Under 21 Age Grade International honours whilst playing senior rugby at GHA.

Under 21 (Age group was disbanded after 2006 season)

Under 20 (Age group replaced Under 21s from 2007 onwards)