Greenock Wanderers celebrate 150th season in style

The club reflected on its humble beginnings in 1873, commended those pushing the club forward, and looked to the horizon for its bright future.

The sesquicentennial anniversary weekend was held at the end of August, with an exhibition ‘Old Crocks’ men’s match on the Friday night against Bishopton Bears, followed by a men’s 1st XV match on Saturday against Glasgow Hawks, and the GWRFC Ladies played against Ayr RFC on the Sunday.

The celebrations were topped off with a club ball in December, where more than 300 members turned out to celebrate the storied club.

Wanderers club secretary Shona Mitchell said the exhibition matches were a hit with fans and players alike.

“It was some of the best in recent years in terms of a turn out, it was a fantastic weekend. We held a luncheon beforehand with former presidents, captains and members of the club before we played the Hawks.

“We celebrated by playing in the club’s original blue and white colours, before we made transition into the black, red and gold shirts we have today. It looked very smart and the merchandise for the blue and white style was well received,” she said.

The highlight of the celebrations, vice president for finance Tony Barrie said, was the club ball, where hundreds attended.

“We held a ball before Christmas, where we had about 320 people at the local town hall. That’s where we held our inaugural Hall of Fame inductions too, where we inducted about 30 people into it.

“That was where some of the most famous and best contributors were inducted, and that was followed by a raffle and other fundraising activity, along with the usual dancing and singing of course,” he said.

GWRFC’s 150th celebrations included exhibition matches in the club’s original colours.

The organising committee for the ball and the Hall of Fame managed to keep the secret under wraps long enough for it to come as a “complete surprise” to many of those who were inducted.

“We now are looking into a place on the wall in the clubrooms where we can publicise that in an appropriate place. Beverly Addison and her team from the girls’ side of the club who took on organising it, they also set up the Hall of Fame, and very few knew about it outside of the organising committee. So, they did a great job,” Tony said.

The inaugural Hall of Fame inductees saw international referees, the club historian, along with prestigious former captains, presidents, committee members, Scotland clubs internationalists, people who won awards for their contributions to the club too, along with pioneers of the women’s game at the club.

Now the club is looking to the future, and it has a bright outlook.

“It can be a stressful environment, but it’s great to be involved in an organisation where there is significant change and it’s hugely beneficial to the club and to the community. We’re trying to be a hub for different aspects of the community. The local hockey club are asking if they can become more involved, and the local American football team too.

“We’re looking into a clubhouse extension, the increasing numbers we are attracting to the club across the age groups dictates that we need to increase the size and layout of the clubrooms. We’re also looking to get a gym, and more modern changing facilities. So, there’s a funding challenge, because we’ve grown so much as a club,” Tony said.

“We’ll be looking to put out a significant number of teams this year covering both men’s and women’s teams across all age groups. The numbers have increased dramatically in recent years, with huge thanks to our development officer who’s played a big part in that, alongside the recruitment efforts being seen in the ladies section,” Shona said.