Rugby
TEN members of Langholm’s most successful rugby team sat down to a special commemorative lunch at Milntown last Saturday.
There was a large gathering of former players, guests and members at the club for the lunch to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1958/59 season when Langholm won the unofficial Scottish championship, the Border league and their own seven-a-side sports.
Ten of the team, who played in that great season, were there: Christie Elliot, Joe Donaldson, Zander Turnbull, Billy Murray, Gilbert Davidson, George Sadler, Graham Crawford, George Maxwell, John Armstrong and John Elliot.
Kenneth Pool, chairman, welcomed everybody to the lunch, including guests from Selkirk, Hawick and Jedforest rugby clubs and Hawick Harlequins.
There were a number of players from teams from 60 years ago who couldn’t be at the lunch and messages were read out from Tommy Elliot in South Africa, John Beattie in Australia
and Ernie Michie in Inverness.
John Smith, who was also unable to attend, sent his best wishes.
After an excellent lunch prepared by the club’s tea ladies, Davie Oliver, development officer, who does so much good work with the youth rugby, gave an excellent toast to rugby football.
Davie Scammel, former club coach, gave a humorous and heartfelt toast to Langholm RFC.
Logan Cotter, son of the Rev J L Cotter, who coached the championship winning side, gave a very well-researched and emotional tribute to the team of 1958/59, to which Christie gave an equally emotional reply.
A memorial seat presented by the Maxwell family in memory of Jimmy Maxwell, club captain of the 58/59 season, was unveiled by his widow, Audrey and daughter, Debbie.
The seat will be given pride of place at Milntown.
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