5 match programmes from the Bill McLaren Archive
Our HERPP11 Heritage Studies placement student Aulay McCaffer worked with Stirling County Rugby Club’s rugby memories group to select a set of memorable matches documented in the extensive collection of match programmes which form part of the Bill McLaren Archive. Here is their list:
5. Scotland v England (5 February 1994)
The 1994 Five Nations proved to be an unfortunate tournament for Scotland. A string of underperformances left Scotland sitting at the bottom of the table on one point by the end of the tournament. Scotland narrowly lost this game against England when, in the final moments of injury time, Jon Callard scored a penalty kick to put England in front and win the game 14 – 15. However, this game still remains memorable for the members of the Stirling County RFC Memories group as three members of the club represented Scotland that year. Kenny Logan, Ian Jardine and Kevin MacKenzie all played for Stirling County and made it into the Scotland squad. One member of the memories group recalled playing with Kevin MacKenzie as he started to develop his play, making this programme extra special.
4. Scotland v Ireland (24 February 1973)
The 1973 Five Nations Championship ended rather unusually; each nation won their two home games and lost two away games. Therefore, all nations had the same amount of points, wins and losses. This resulted in all five nations sharing the championship in a five-way tie, the only time in history for this to happen. This season also marked the centenary celebration of the Scottish Rugby Union. As one of Scotland’s home games, the team managed to eke out a win against Ireland with a final score of 19 – 14. Memories group member Graham recalls this game fondly, remarking:
“I remember a particular event. Scotland were pressuring the Irish in the Irish ‘25’. Tom Kiernan was standing under the post when Colin Telfer drop kicked for goal. Mr Lewis, the referee, was not well positioned, but as the ball went through the posts Tom Kiernan raised his arm to let the referee know that the attempt was good. That bit of sportsmanship has remained with me to this day.”
3. Hawick RFC Centenary Sevens Tournament (1985)
Rugby Sevens tournaments have immense popularity in the Scottish Borders with Bill McLaren following them avidly throughout his life. This programme details the centenary sevens tournament held in 1985, celebrating one hundred years of Sevens at Hawick. It provides a good example of the additional information often found in the programmes with Bill scribbling notes on teams and players and enclosing newspaper cuttings and pages of notes providing additional information. Within this programme Bill McLaren kept track of the tournament through handwritten notes detailing the scores and outcomes of each match. The tournament final was contested between Kelso and the hosts Hawick, where Kelso came out on top with a final score of 18 – 32. The programme also includes a small section on page 41 honouring Hawick’s ‘Local Hero.’
2. Scotland v England (4 February 1984)
As a crucial game in Scotland’s eventual Grand Slam and Triple Crown victory in the Five Nations that year, this game celebrated one hundred meetings between Scotland and England. Off the back of a win against Wales in Cardiff and still early in the tournament, the Grand Slam was not yet on the cards for Scotland. This meant all eyes were set on beating England to retain the Calcutta Cup, which they had won the previous year. What followed was a historic win for Scotland, where they went 10 – 3 up with only a minute gone, ending 18 – 6 for Scotland, with Bill McLaren providing electric commentary throughout. This win meant that Scotland retained the Calcutta Cup, a feat that would not be repeated until 2022. It also paved the way for the historic Triple Crown and Grand Slam achieved by Scotland.
1. Scotland v France (17 March 1984)
Going into the final matchday of the 1984 Five Nations Championship, both Scotland and France remained undefeated throughout the tournament, and each was vying for a Grand Slam victory. Scotland had beaten Wales at the National Stadium, England at Murrayfield and Ireland at Lansdowne Road to secure a historic Triple Crown. Scotland and France were tied 12 – 12 going into the final three minutes of the game, with the game looking close. Colin Deans then opted for a long throw on the line-out, which found Jim Calder, who scored the try to put Scotland ahead. Peter Dods scored the conversion and a penalty to put the lead further out of reach of ‘Les Bleus’.
“…The singing has started all around the ground! Jim Aitkin and his side must feel that the hour of destiny is at hand for him and for his side.”
Bill McLaren’s memorable commentary following Jim Calder’s crucial try against France.
As injury time ticked down and Scotland held onto their lead, the referee blew his whistle with the final score, Scotland 21 – 12 France. Scotland celebrated a historic achievement, a second-ever Grand Slam victory and first in over 60 years. Bill’s copy of the programme has bits of pages cut out, part of his meticulous information gathering for his commentaries which adds a rather personal touch to an already historic item.
As we wrap up this special overview of some iconic rugby programmes in the Bill McLaren collection, it is important to thank the Stirling County RFC Memories Group who selected these fascinating items, sharing their stories and memories bringing these programmes to life.
Aulay McCaffer, Heritage Studies student
This project is part of the University of Stirling’s wider work with the Bill McLaren Foundation to preserve and promote the archive of “the voice of rugby.”
