Glasgow Hutchesons Aloysians RFC

Glasgow Hutchesons Aloysians Rugby Football Club, often abbreviated to GHA and colloquially referred to as G-HA!! /ˈhɑː/, is a rugby union club based in the Giffnock area of East Renfrewshire, Scotland. The club plays its home matches at Braidholm and currently competes in the Scottish National League Division One, which is the second tier of Scottish club rugby.

GHA
Full nameGlasgow Hutchesons' Aloysians Rugby Football Club
UnionScottish Rugby Union
Founded2002 (2002)
LocationGiffnock, East Renfrewshire, Scotland
Ground(s)Braidholm[1]
PresidentEuan Greer
Coach(es)Calum Forrester (Head), Jamie McCarthy, Iain Kennedy, Andrew Gillman
Captain(s)Dario Ewing
League(s)Nat 1
2021–22Scottish Premiership, 6th of 10
Team kit
Official website
gharugby.co.uk

GHA competed in the premiership from 2019/20 until the 2022/23 season which saw them being relegated to National League Division 1.

History

The club was established by the 2002 merger between Glasgow Southern RFC and Hutchesons' - Aloysians' RFC.[2] 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' GSFP

The club was formed in 1923 playing out of Auldhouse, the school's sports ground in Eastwood (near 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 RFC

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 FP RFC., 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

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 RFC

A view of the stand and club house at Braidholm, GHA's home field

Unlike the two Former Pupil Clubs now involved at Braidholm, Clarkston RFC, since its formation in 1937, had 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 RFC.

Glasgow Southern RFC

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. Plans for an all-weather artificial pitch at Braidholm were announced in 2018.[1]

Senior rugby

GHA run 4 senior sides, catering for all abilities and attitudes[3] - 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) competing within the regional reserve leagues. Additionally there is a long established veterans team (known as The Internationally Famous GHA Gazelles, captained by John Willock) who participate in a variety of social, friendly and touring matches.

Playing Overview

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 four seasons in the top division - 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08 and 2019/20. 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.

After two consecutive third-place finishes in National League One; GHA were elevated to the Premiership for season 2019/20 due to the restructuring of Scottish club rugby. With the creation of the SRU's new semi-professional Super 6 competition, six of the existing Premiership teams would be demoted to National League One with the top six teams in that league taking their place. The club had mixed success in a very competitive league; with very little separating play-off and relegation places, notable achievements did include first ever away victories at Edinburgh Accies and league leaders Marr. GHA secured their Premiership status with a losing bonus point in their final game against Selkirk. However, three weeks later the 2019/20 season was declared null and void by the SRU due to the coronavirus pandemic, with no promotion or relegation between leagues.

Season League Position Cup Notes
2002-03Premiership Two2ndRound of 16Promoted to Premiership One
2003-04Premiership One9thRound of 16-
2004-05Premiership One11thRound of 32Relegated to Premiership Two
2005-06Premiership Two9thQuarter-Finals-
2006-07Premiership Two3rdRound of 32Promoted to Premiership One
2007-08Premiership One11thRound of 32Relegated to Premiership Two
2008-09Premiership Two6thRound of 16-
2009-10Premiership Two5thRound of 32-
2010-11Premiership C8thGroup StageRelegated to Premiership Three
2011–12Premiership Three2ndRound of 16 (West)-
2012–13Championship A1stGroup Stage (West)Promoted to National League
2013-14National League8thRunners-up (West)-
2014-15National One2ndRound of 16Premiership / National One Play-off
2015-16National One7thRound of 16-
2016-17National One7thRound of 32-
2017-18National One3rdQuarter-Finals (National League)-
2018-19National One3rdRound of 16Promoted to Premiership
2019-20Premiership7th*Round of 16Season Null & Void due to Coronavirus Pandemic
2020-21Premiership--Season Cancelled due to Coronavirus Pandemic
2021-22Premiership6th-No Cup Competition
2022-23 Premiership 10th Round of 18 Relegated to National One

Current 1st XV Squad

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Sam Faulds Prop Scotland Scotland
Michael Fox Prop Scotland Scotland (Captain)
Joshua Low Prop Scotland Scotland
Cole Stirling Prop Scotland Scotland
Daniel Sutton Prop Scotland Scotland
Luis Barron Hooker Scotland Scotland
Ruari Campbell Hooker Scotland Scotland
Sean Callaghan Lock Scotland Scotland
Adam Kerr Lock Scotland Scotland
Daniel Kilpatrick Lock Ireland Ireland
Will Alton Flanker Hungary Hungary
Dario Ewing Flanker Scotland Scotland
Martin Hughes Flanker Scotland Scotland
Oscar Lonergan-Black Flanker Scotland Scotland
Frankie Quail Flanker Scotland Scotland
Luke McCutcheon Number 8 Scotland Scotland
Player Position Union
George Baird Scrum-half Scotland Scotland
Rory MacFarlane Scrum-half Scotland Scotland
Fergus McCoss Scrum-half Scotland Scotland
Andrew Goudie Fly-half Scotland Scotland
Glen Little Centre Scotland Scotland
Charlie Lonergan Centre Scotland Scotland
Max MacFarlane Centre Scotland Scotland
Andy Morrison Centre Scotland Scotland
Sean Carden Wing Scotland Scotland
Scott Derrick Wing Scotland Scotland
Ruairi O'Keefe Wing Scotland Scotland
Lewis McCormick Wing Scotland Scotland
Kyle Dixon Fullback Scotland Scotland
Grant Mollison Fullback Scotland Scotland

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 16/09/2023.

#100 Name Nationality Position Caps Debut 100th Cap Note
TBC Andrew Healy  Scotland Fly-Half TBC - - *(TBC)
TBC Alistair Menzies  Scotland Full-Back TBC 31/08/2002 - *(TBC)
TBC Euan Baillie  Scotland Fly-Half 210 30/08/2003 30/08/2003 (200)
TBC Rory Watson  Scotland Wing 162 31/08/2002 04/12/2004 (47)
TBC John Fitzpatrick  Scotland Back-Row TBC 31/08/2002 - (TBC)
TBC Ian Smith  Scotland Lock 160 30/08/2003 - *(110)
TBC James Noonan  New Zealand Fly-Half 172 31/08/2002 17/02/2007 *(40)
TBC Richard Nolan  Scotland Prop TBC 31/08/2002 - *(TBC)
TBC Trevor Carmichael  Scotland Lock TBC 31/08/2002 - (TBC)
TBC Martin Dunn  Scotland Fly-Half TBC - 19/01/2008 (TBC)
TBC Paul Harkins  Scotland Back-Row 133 - - -
TBC Niall Cassie  Scotland Centre 131 - - -
TBC Andrew Boag  Scotland Back-Row / Scrum-Half TBC - - -
TBC Ross McClymont  Scotland Full-Back TBC - - -
TBC Andrew Rushforth  Scotland Centre TBC - - -
TBC Zander McIlwham  Scotland Prop TBC - - * (TBC)
TBC Iain Nelson  Scotland Hooker TBC 31/08/2002 - * (TBC)
TBC Chris Binnie  Scotland Centre / Full-Back 139 - - -
19 Rangi Jericevich  Scotland Wing 168 06/09/2003 28/09/2013 -
20 Ryan Jenkins  Scotland Lock / Back-Row 116 08/12/2007 04/01/2014 -
21 Andrew Gillman  Scotland Scrum-Half / Full-Back 164 30/08/2008 31/01/2015 -
22 Andrew Henderson  Scotland Centre 102 27/08/2011 26/03/2016 -
23 Alan Auld  Scotland Back-Row / Wing 100 29/10/2011 23/04/2016 *(1)
24 Jamie Auld  Scotland Lock / Back-Row 116 03/10/2009 08/10/2016 -
25 Adam Barnett  Scotland Lock 141 21/08/2010 27/01/2018 -
26 Scott Carson  Scotland Prop 128 - 24/03/2018 -
27 Murray Houston  Scotland Scrum-Half 107 20/03/2010 20/10/2018 -
28 Donald Malcolm  Scotland Hooker / Back-Row 100 04/09/2004 10/11/2018 -
29 Michael Fox  Scotland Prop 135 27/08/2011 09/10/2021 -
30 Andrew Goudie  Scotland Fly-Half 103 30/08/2014 09/09/2023 -

*Appearances include games played for Glasgow Southern/Clarkston
Appearances include games played for Hutchesons' Aloysians
BoldActive Players

Appearances

Correct as of 24/10/2021, Current players in bold.

All-Time Most Appearances (Including Constituent Clubs)

# Nat. Pos. Name Period Appearances
1ScotlandFHEuan Baillie2003–2008210
2New ZealandFHJames Noonan2002–2010172
3ScotlandWGRangi Jericevich2003–2016168
4ScotlandSHAndrew Gillman2008–2019165
5ScotlandWGRory Watson2002–2009164

All-Time Most Appearances (GHA Only)

# Nat. Pos. Name Period Appearances
1ScotlandWGRangi Jericevich2003–2016168
2ScotlandSHAndrew Gillman2008–2019165
3ScotlandFBChris Binnie2007–2019139
4ScotlandFLPaul Harkins2005–2020133
5ScotlandCENiall Cassie2005–2015130
Points Scorers

Correct as of 02/09/2023, Current players in bold.

Top Points Scorers

# Nat. Pos. Name Period Apps. Tries Cons. Pens Drop
goals
Total
points
1New ZealandFHJames Noonan2002–20101728200218161142
2ScotlandFHAndrew Goudie2014–992513130-477
3ScotlandSHMurray Houston2010–201911199658-411
4ScotlandSHPeter Jericevich2008–201765229629-389
5ScotlandWGRory Watson2002–200916469---345
  • Most points: 1142 – James Noonan (2002-2010)
  • Most league points: ?
  • Most cup points: 113 – James Noonan (2002-2010)
  • Most points in a game by a player: ?-? (v ?, in ?, 00 January 0000
  • Most points scored in a single season: 208 – James Noonan in 2002–2003 & 2009-2010
  • Most points scored in a calendar year: ? ? in 0000
  • Most points scored on debut: ?-? (v ?, in ?, 00 January 0000

Top Try Scorers

# Nat. Pos. Name Period Tries
1ScotlandWGRory Watson2002-200969
2ScotlandCENiall Cassie2005-201560
3ScotlandWGRangi Jericevich2003-201655
4ScotlandSHAndrew Gillman2008-201945
5New ZealandN8Jamie Pinder2008-201342
  • Most tries: 69 – Rory Watson (2002-2009)
  • Most league tries: ?
  • Most cup tries: 12 – Rangi Jericevich (2003-2016) & Rory Watson (2002-2008)
  • Most tries in a game by a player: 4 – Alan Auld (v Peebles (H), 2015-2016 National League One, 3/10/2015) & Niall Cassie (v Peebles (H), 2010-2011 Premiership Two, 23/10/2010)
  • Most tries scored in a single season: 20 – Rangi Jericevich (2012-2013 season)
  • Most tries scored in a calendar year: ? – in 0000
  • Most tries scored on debut: ? – (versus, on 00 January 0000)

Team Records

Matches

  • First Competitive match: GHA RFC 23-20 Ayr RFC (in Premiership Two, 31 August 2002)
  • First Scottish Premiership match: Stirling County RFC 39-24 GHA RFC (30 August 2003)
  • First Scottish Cup match: GHA RFC 22-9 Livingston RFC (3rd Round (Last 64), 2 November 2002}
  • First Billy Barnes Cup match: Cartha Queens Park RFC 27-34 GHA RFC (2 September 2017)

Record Wins All stats correct up to 24/10/2021

  • Biggest Win: GHA RFC 87-0 Perthshire RFC (Scottish Cup 1st Round (Last 64), 30 August 2014)
  • Biggest League Win: GHA RFC 87-3 Kirkcaldy RFC (National League One, 29 September 2018)
  • Biggest Cup Win: GHA RFC 87-0 Perthshire RFC (Scottish Cup 1st Round (Last 64), 30 August 2014)
  • Biggest Home Win: GHA RFC 87-0 Perthshire RFC (Scottish Cup 1st Round (Last 64), 30 August 2014)
  • Biggest Away Win: Stewart's Melville RFC 5-66 GHA RFC (National League One, 1 October 2016)

Record defeats All stats correct up to 24/10/2021

  • Biggest Defeat: Boroughmuir RFC 76-5 GHA RFC (National League, 23 March 2014)
  • Biggest League Defeat: Boroughmuir RFC 76-5 GHA RFC (National League, 23 March 2014)
  • Biggest Cup Defeat: Glasgow Hawks '64-5 GHA RFC (Scottish Cup 3rd Round (Last 16), 27 February 2016)
  • Biggest Home Defeat: GHA RFC 0-44 Stewart's Melville RFC (National League, 24 August 2013)
  • Biggest Away Defeat: Boroughmuir RFC 76-5 GHA RFC (National League, 23 March 2014)

Other match records All stats correct up to 24/10/2021

  • Highest Scoring Draw: Haddington RFC 29-29 GHA RFC (Premiership Two, 26 September 2009)
  • Lowest Scoring Draw: GHA RFC 6-6 Selkirk RFC (Premiership Two, 19 October 2002) & Ayr RFC 6-6 GHA RFC (Premiership One, 15 December 2007)
  • Highest Scoring Home Draw: GHA RFC 17-17 Cartha Queens Park RFC (Premiership Two, 16 September 2006)
  • Lowest Scoring Home Draw: GHA RFC 6-6 Selkirk RFC (Premiership Two, 19 October 2002)
  • Highest Scoring Away Draw: Haddington RFC 29-29 GHA RFC (Premiership Two, 26 September 2009)
  • Lowest Scoring Away Draw: Ayr RFC 6-6 GHA RFC (Premiership One, 15 December 2007)

High scores and bonus points All stats correct up to 24/10/2021

  • Most points scored
  • Most points conceded
  • Highest Combined Points: 104 (Aberdeen Grammar 57-47 GHA RFC, 12 October 2019)
  • Most tries scored: ? (v ?, 00 January 0000
  • Most tries conceded: ? (v ?, 00 January 0000

Sequences All stats correct up to 24/10/2021 Longest unbeaten run

  • Overall: ? (00 January 0000 to 00 December 0000)
    • Home: ? (00 January 0000 to 00 December 0000)
    • Away: ? (00 January 0000 to 00 December 0000)

Longest losing run

  • Overall: 9 (23 August 2003 to 29 October 2010)
    • Home: ? (00 January 0000 to 00 December 0000)
    • Away: ? (00 January 0000 to 00 December 0000)

Longest winless run

  • Overall: ? (00 January 0000 to 00 December 0000)
    • Home: ? (00 January 0000 to 00 December 0000)
    • Away: ? (00 January 0000 to 00 December 0000)

Individual Seasons All stats correct up to 24/10/2021

  • Most games played in a season: 26 (2005-2006 & 2014–2015 season)
  • Most wins in a season: ? (in ? games, 0000–0000 season)
  • Most League wins in a Season: 17 (in 22 games, 2014–2015 season), 14 (in 18 games, 2012–2013 season)
  • Fewest wins in a season: ? (in ? games, 0000–0000 season)
  • Fewest league wins in a season: ? (in ? games, 0000–0000 season)
  • Most defeats in a season: ? (in ? games, 0000–0000 season)
  • Most league defeats in a season: ? (in ? games, 0000–0000 season)

Opponents and Familiarity All stats correct up to 24/10/2021

  • Club played most often: ? v (won ?, drawn ?, lost ?)
  • Club played most often in league matches: ? v
  • Club played most often in cup matches: 3 v Hillhead / Jordanhill RFC
  • Non-home ground GHA have played on most often: ? at
  • Player who has played the most games against one opponent for GHA: ? by ? against ?
  • Player who has played the most games against GHA: ? by ? for ?

Junior Rugby

GHA has a large junior rugby section consisting of over 400 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 Logo

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 players

This is a list of current and former GHA players who have gained 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[4] 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[5] and John Barclay[6] were among those to be allocated to play for them.

Post the 2002 amalgamation

Pre the 2002 amalgamation

Scotland Club Internationalists

  • Andrew Kelly - 2007
  • Jon Welsh - 2008
  • Grant Mollison - 2020

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)

  • Peter Jericevich - 2008
  • James Malcolm - 2013
  • Adam Scott - 2021
  • Gregor Hiddlestone - 2022
  • Andrew Stirrat - 2022
  • Jonny Morris - 2023
  • Amena Caqusau - 2023

Club Presidents

Bernard Dunn2002 / 2004
Brian Williams2004 / 2005
Bernard Dunn2005 / 2007
Alex Millar2007 / 2009
Tom Morrice2009 / 2011
Bernard Dunn2011 / 2013
Ronnie Jamieson2013 / 2016
Euan Baillie2016 / 2018
Brian Tracey2018 / 2020
Stuart Lang2020 / 2022
Euan Greer2022 / Present

Club captains

Trevor Carmichael2002 / 2003
Euan Baillie2003 / 2004
Zander McIlwham2004 / 2006
Rory Watson2006 / 2008
Niall Cassie2008 / 2011
Andrew Henderson2011 / 2016
Paul Harkins2016 / 2018
Tony Brogan2018 / 2020
Michael Fox2020 / Present

Head coaches

Gavin Walsh2002 / 2003
David Wilson2003 / 2005
Roddy Moir2005 / 2008
Bill MacDonald2008 / 2011
Gordon MacPherson2011 / 2014
Craig Sorbie2014 / 2016
Euan Clark2016 / 2019
Trevor Carmichael2019 / 2022
Calum Forrester2022 / present

Braidholm Sevens

The club runs the Braidholm Sevens tournament.[8]

Honours

Men

  • Langholm Sevens
    • Champions (1): 2003
  • Glasgow City Sevens
    • Champions (1): 2012
  • Howe of Fife Sevens
    • Champions (1): 2022
  • Cambuslang Sevens
    • Champions (1): 2003
  • Hamilton Sevens
    • Champions (1): 2016

Women

  • Mull Sevens
    • Champions (1): 2006

References

55.808549°N 4.280934°W / 55.808549; -4.280934

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