Dalziel Rugby Club were very sad to hear of the passing of one of their well-known and greatly respected members at age 83 — a highly popular and legendary figure. George was rarely referred to at the rugby club by his given name, but was affectionately known as ‘Jock’ by all his friends.

 

At this very sad time, the Club extends its sincere sympathies to George’s wife Agnes, along with Andrew and Jacqueline, Emma and Chris, Tom and Catty, David, George’s brother Alex and sister Anne and their families, and all children and grandchildren — who we will mention later.

 

George sprang into the world on February 20th, 1942. After attending Knowetop Primary School and Dalziel High School, at age 18 he joined Dalziel High School F.P. Rugby Club in 1960, where he formed a lifelong connection.

George fitted into the Club right away and soon proved to be a valuable member.

 

He was a highly respected player who starred for the First XV for many years. A very hard but exceptionally fair competitor, his Corinthian spirit was greatly admired — as were his exceptional turn of speed, incredible sidestep, tremendous passing ability and very sound tackling technique. 

Once George concluded that his First XV days might be coming to an end, he voluntarily dropped down the teams.

He played in every XV in the Club, from Firsts to Fifths. His main reason for doing so was to ensure that young players coming through the Club, as well as new members, were properly looked after both on and off the park.

George was an inspiring team captain. Many young players who later progressed in their careers to become team captain or pack leader learned a great deal from George — not only in terms of technical matters but also in placing the team in the right frame of mind with his well-known rousing pre-match team talks. 

In his longstanding career, George fulfilled the following roles:

• Player

• Club Captain

• General Committee Member

• Club President

• Mini and Midi Rugby Coach, culminating in coaching a very successful Under-18s side, with many of the boys going on to enjoy successful careers in the senior club and beyond.

George was an early recipient of the prestigious Robin Austin Memorial Trophy. This was especially meaningful to George, as he was one of the few recipients who had played with, and was a good friend of, Robin — who was tragically killed in a plane crash in 1968.

In more recent years, George — as a past playing colleague and close friend of Robin Austin — presented a very emotional tribute to his old pal at the start of the Robin Austin Memorial Dinner, at which the Trophy was presented.

George was also very deservedly awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Club.

He trained and qualified as a mechanical engineer with Scottish Power and absolutely loved his job. He was able to retire with a substantial financial package at age 55 and immediately set about forming his own consultancy. 

This consultancy was highly successful — so much so that George ran the company until he finally retired at age 70. His business took him to a number of exotic places, including four years in Portugal and extended trips to Australia.

Outside work and rugby, George was a great family man. Andrew has Callum, Euan, and Jamie; David has Troy and Georgina; Emma and Chris have Jessica and Joseph; and Tom and Catty have William and Ava.

Apart from his many contributions to the Club, George’s sons Andrew and Tom played with the senior teams, and currently granddaughter Jessica is a highly promising player in the Club’s Ladies Section.

George was extremely proud when Tom was chosen for the Glasgow Thistles squad, which toured New Zealand in the early 2000s. In more recent years, grandson William made George proud again when he was chosen for the Caledonia County Team. A real rugby family!

To his great delight, Troy presented George and Agnes with their first great-grandchild, Isla, on 14th November 2023.

One of every year’s highlights was the family holiday in Arran, when George and Agnes booked a very large house with as many of the family as possible enjoying a wonderful time together.

Another highlight, for many years, was the Hogmanay party which George and Agnes hosted in their home. Many from the rugby club attended and enjoyed the most wonderful hospitality from their hosts — with Agnes decked in tartan and George resplendent in his kilt! Always a memorable way to bring in another New Year.

Rugby Club ceilidhs were also a very enjoyable part of George’s life, with ‘Strip the Willow’ being his favourite dance. 

George was an Elder in the Church of Scotland, at Motherwell South Parish Church, for many years.

He held various important posts within the Church and made many excellent practical contributions.

As an indication of the very high regard in which George was held at Dalziel Rugby, the website has been inundated with the kindest of messages.

Here are quotes from just two of these heartfelt tributes:

“Always had time for those of us not as experienced or as good as him, and he (amongst others in that team) spent time and made me and others a lot better than we were otherwise destined to be. Always a big smile and a word off the field too. A worse place without him.”

And another:

“George was indeed a great character. As a new boy at Dalziel in 1979, George always made me feel welcome and part of the crowd. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word. The Club is the poorer for his passing.”

George’s funeral will be held on Friday 25th July, when we will say farewell and celebrate the life of a committed Christian, a wonderfully enthusiastic people-person, a devoted family man and an accomplished sportsman.

Goodbye George... we will miss you.

 

Funeral Details: 

Friday 25th July   

3.30pm Celebration of George’s life at Motherwell South Parish Church. 

4.30pm Dalziel Rugby Clubhouse for Buffet 

 

The Service of Celebration will be streamed online, a link will be posted on the club’s social media in the lead up to the service.