Hawick RFC Collection

In October 1872, members of the Hawick and Wilton Cricket Club decided to encourage their members to play football in the winter months to keep fit. There was discussion on whether they should play association and rugby union football. A special match was arranged to decide the matter, with the first half played under association rules and the second under rugby union rules. Rugby union emerged victorious, being thought of as “manlier and more congenial to the Border nature than the tamer association game.”

Hawick’s first fixture was against Langholm on 7th February 1874. They played under Carlisle rules, which were a combination of association and rugby codes. One rule stated that a goal was scored only when the ball was kicked under the crossbar. A Langholm player kicked the ball over the Hawick bar, which didn't count. The result was a 0-0 draw.

In 1885 the rugby players broke away from the cricket club and reorganised themselves as Hawick Football Club. Some members of the cricket club weren’t happy about the separation and refused to allow the rugby players to continue using their field. They moved to Volunteer Park just beyond the cricket pitch, before moving to their permanent home at Mansfield Park three years later. To mark the new era, the club adopted new colours: dark green jerseys and socks, and white shorts.

...

The Hawick RFC collection brings together an exceptional selection of match-worn jerseys, international caps, match balls, and ephemera, including items from the distinguished prop Hugh Ferns McLeod (1932–2014). 

Below is a preview from the collection.

Stay informed about our upcoming auctions — subscribe to email alerts at the bottom of the page.