Stewart's Melville - Today

On Saturday 5th March, by virtue of beating Selkirk 27-5 at Philiphaugh, the club's 1st XV secured the points needed to confirm their return to the top flight of Scottish rugby for the first time since season 1994/95.

We are fortunate in having the best feeder system in the country, with Stewart's Melville College continually providing us with high calibre players. In our promotion season, we averaged twelve former pupils of the school in each match day squad, which is a fantastic achievement.

While the club has come a long way since the glory days of the 1980s, when its success on the Sevens circuit culminated in victory at the prestigious Middlesex Sevens in 1982, its current crop of talented young players are regularly recognised at district and international level.

Its ground, Inverleith, was the venue for Scotland’s home games between 1899 and 1925, during which time the first match against New Zealand was played. Inverleith, with some of the best playing facilities in Edinburgh, is still used for representative matches today.

The club currently run four XVs. The 1st and 2nd XVs both play in competitive National leagues, and are both now in their respective top divisions. Below this level, we operate two 'social' XVs where we provide rugby for those who just wish to play recreationally. The club welcomes all-comers at Inverleith.

History

The club was founded in 1875, when a match took place between the former pupils of Daniel Stewart’s Hospital and George Watson’s College. The club took on its present form following the merger of Daniel Stewart’s College and Melville College in 1973.

The club has a deep tradition and history that has affected every aspect of the game in Scotland. Click here to see the club's Scotland players.

The web site provides the opportunity to provide a history of the development and achievements of the club. For the first time, the varied and rich archives of the club will be seen by ex players, FPs and rugby followers on the Internet. The story of the club is told in three distinct sections (click on headings below to view).

Stewart's College FP RFC

The material for these sections comes from Ronnie Sharp, Honorary member of the FP Club, who produced a wonderful history of Stewart's FP to mark the centenary of the old club. Unfortunately, a summary of this book can only be provided here, but copies of 'The Daniels' can be purchased at the club.

Melville College FP RFC

The history of Melville FP relies on the great archives that are held in the clubhouse at Inverleith. The web site and club are indebted to Ernie Wilkins for the tireless work that he undertakes in his role as Secretary and Treasurer for the FP Club and for the documents and photos that he has uncovered for the web site.

Stewart's Melville College FP RFC

The history of the combined club is now being collated. Stewart's Melville has now been playing for 32 years and, already, the success on and off the pitch has been outstanding. It also, however, shows how the club is having to adapt and change to reflect the different environment that club rugby in Scotland now operates in.

Interactive History

Editing the documents and knowing what to put on the web site has been very difficult. Should, however, anyone want to see a photograph of a specific match, team or event, or have some photos or programmes to share, please contact the webmaster.