The 1970's
Dundee High Rugby Club History 5 of 11

5. The 1970's


At the grand old age of 90, season 1970-71 saw Dundee HSFP emerge as a force in the North East, only Aberdeen Wanderers managing to beat them.

On the 20th March, ’71, the game at Ardrossan Accies was brought forward so the teams could watch the England Scotland clash at Twickenham. To the delight of the Dundee contingent, clubman Chris Rea scored a try for Scotland, their cheers matched by the home side’s as Ayrshire man, Peter Brown’s kick sailed over to seal a Scottish victory. The next month it was announced that Chris Rea was in the British Lion’s squad to tour Australia in the summer of that year.

That October, with five players, the FP’s provided the largest club representation in the Midlands trial match.

A pioneering move saw league rugby introduced in Scotland for season 1973/74 and the FP’s started in Division 4.

1975 saw the FP’s move from Monymusk Playing Fields to share Mayfield with the school on Arbroath Road, where they remain to this day. It was also the year that David Leslie won the first of 32 caps during a 10 year Scotland career, the first 5 of which were out of DHSFP RFC still playing in Division 4.

Relegation that year and a near miss for promotion in season 1977/78 bears an uncanny resemblance to the not too distant history of the club in the 1990’s.

Season 1979/80 was one of highs and lows. The low being a further slip meaning Dundee HSFP started the centenary season, 1980/81 in Division 6. However, 1979 was also the year Mayfield played host to the legendary All Blacks for their game against the Anglo-Scots. The club worked hard through the night to thaw out the pitch to ensure the game could go ahead.