Category: President

Presidents Message 15^th April 2021

Dear fellow Accies,

I hope you and your families all remain fit and healthy I’m sure a large number of you will have had 1 or both of your vaccines and the rollout is going really well- light at the end of the tunnel, at last!

First of all I would like to thank all of you who have continued to support the club through this difficult time by continuing to pay the membership subscription. It would have been very easy just to stop this given you have been unable to use the facilities, so a big thank you once again.

As I intimated above, we finally have some light at the end of the tunnel. We hope to open the bar on the week beginning 26^th April, which is tremendous news. Given the current guidance, it will be outdoor drinking only, but hopefully the weather will be good and we get a bit of warmth. It will be good to see you all and get a catch up.

We do, however, have to wait on announcing the decision for definite until we have the new boiler installed. Unfortunately the boiler broke a couple of months ago and we have been getting quotes to undertake the work. James Frew Ltd will be undertaking the work and we are very hopeful work will be completed and all cleansing that is required will have been done by the 26^th. Big thanks to Mick McFarlane and the sub-committee for their help with this.

The youth section have been back training and continue to train in good numbers, which is fantastic. We hope this continues and plans are afoot in preparing fixtures for next season, which I am optimistic will go ahead.

The Ladies section have started back too, but with restrictions, given the SRU guidance. The ladies section also took part in a fitness challenge through the month of February. Well done to all those who took part. It’s super to see new people coming along to try rugby and a big welcome to them. Callum Smith and Shelley Main have agreed to continue to coach, which is fantastic. Keep up the good work.

The senior men also took part in a couple of challenges throughout January and February. A team challenge versus Irvine Vics Amateur Football club, which I’m delighted to say the Accies boys came out on top in, and a team challenge within ourselves, which was fun. Some hard work was put in and it certainly kept up the desire to win and be competitive.

I’m really hopeful that touch rugby can restart 17^th May and see a return to training. I know a number of the boys are enthusiastic to get back. It is also hoped that the club will have touch rugby again for all on Friday nights, so keep your eyes open for information on that and come along. Even if you have never tried it before, it’s a good, fun evening.

Mark Senter has agreed to return this season to coach the senior men which is great, and he is very enthusiastic about it. Mark never really got a chance last year and hopefully this year will be better. The boys certainly enjoyed the input that Mark had, and look forward to the coming season.

As regards next season, no decision as yet has been made on the look of next season. It is hoped that a competitive league will take place but this will be dependent on restrictions on social distancing and travelling in buses etc. The SRU are conducting a survey and the results should be back in May.

As you may know, it is our Centenary year next year. Plans are underway for the Centenary dinner and we will look at other ways of celebrating the year. Should anyone have ideas, please contact marketing@ardrossanrugby.com. A few members have volunteered to help with coordinating these and we will meet later this year to discuss. Thanks to those who have volunteered so far.

Financially, it has been tough, especially given the requirement for the new boiler. The sub- committee set up to look at the floodlights, continue to work on that. A big thanks to them, and to Sandra Bale and Ali Cairns for their help in applying for grants. We also would hope that functions can restart at some point in July/August which will bring much needed revenue into the club. Brian Campbell continues to do a superb job monitoring the finances.

Finally, my 2 year stint as President is coming to an end and I’d like to thank Dougie Tyler (VP), the committee, the volunteers and all of their members for their support and hard work over the last 2 years. It’s been greatly appreciated and the club would not be sustainable without it. I’ve enjoyed the experience of it and I’m sure Dougie will too.

The date for the AGM will be Monday 31^st May and it would be great to see you all in attendance.

Please keep a look out on the website and social media for continued updates.

Please take care and I hope to see you all soon,

Peter Gossman

President AARFC

President’s message- Ardrossan vs. Strathmore RFC, Saturday 15th January 2020

Kick-off 3pm

As we’ve not had a home game since the New Year I would like to thank all of our members who
came along to our annual New Year’s day game between the Over 35’s and Under 25’s. Similarly to
the previous 7 years, the over 35’s won. It was a very competitive game and a great day at the club.
Big thanks to all of those who donated raffle prizes and provided food, and I hope all of those who
came along enjoyed the day.
After a 4 week break since our hard fought away victory to Murrayfield Wanderers, we are back in
action today against Strathmore. I would like to extend a warm welcome to Strathmore RFC, and
their supporters to Memorial Field for today’s Tennent’s National League Division 3 game. They have
had a good first half of the season and are currently in 7 th position but with 2 games in hand over
ourselves. In the earlier fixture this season, we managed a very good 36-26 win in a very competitive
encounter, so we know this will be a tough game and one that we need to win to keep up the
pressure at the top of the table. Whatever the result, I would like to wish Strathmore a safe trip
home and all the best for the rest of the season ahead.
Unfortunately, it has been very stop start recently with the lack of games and very poor weather but
we have won our last 5 games and we, therefore, go into the remaining games in a very positive
mood and hopefully that positivity will shine through today. It is very tight at the top of the table
with up to 5 teams vying for promotion and every game is a must win. Your support will be vital and
it’ll be great to see you both home and away if you can manage.
I would like to thank our match sponsors for the game today, McMillan and Cronin and Nellany &
Co Solicitors for their continued support, and to Alan Sutherland for sponsoring today’s match ball.
Thanks again, it is greatly appreciated and the club is very grateful to all of our sponsors for their
support.
Our next game is away to Greenock Wanderers on February 29 th . We normally take a good support
up there and this will be a huge game. Also, just to let you know that our rearranged game with
Howe of Fife is now on Thursday 12 th March, 19:30 kick off, as both teams have a number of players
away in Cardiff for the Wales game and requested not to play on Saturday 14 th . This game will be
played at Inverclyde Sports Centre in Largs. I know this is not ideal but we were keen to have a full
squad available for a very important game against fellow promotion chasers, Howe. I would expect a
highly entertaining game on the 4G surface, so if members can come along and support, that would
be great.
As you will most likely be aware the 6 nations is in progress at the moment. Scotland plays Italy next
Saturday (22 nd ) and with all games on in the bar, it would be great to have you come along to the
club and support the nation together.
We don’t have any upcoming functions coming up in February but please continue to visit the club
website www.ardrossanrugby.com for further information regarding upcoming matches and social
events.

Peter Gossman
President

Upcoming fixtures

Saturday 29 th February- Greenock Wanderers RFC v AARFC (3pm kick off)
Saturday 7 th March- AARFC v Lasswade RFC (3pm kick off)

Thursday 12 th March- AARFC v Howe of Fife (19:30pm kick off at Inverclyde Sports Centre)

President’s message- Ardrossan vs. Howe of Fife RFC, Saturday 11^th January 2020

Firstly, I would like to wish all of our members and visitors a very happy new year. I hope everybody had a great time over the festive period. We had our annual New Year’s day game between the Over 35’s and Under 25’s, and similar to the previous 7 years, the over 35’s won. It was a very competitive game and a great day at the club. Big thanks to all of those who donated raffle prizes and provided food, and I hope all of those who came along enjoyed the day.

After a 4 week break, we are back into league action. I would like to extend a warm welcome to Howe of Fife RFC, and their supporters to Memorial Field for today’s Tennent’s National League Division 3 game. Howe have had a good first half of the season and are currently in 5^th position but with 2 games in hand over ourselves, they have the opportunity to go higher than us in the league. In the earlier fixture this season, Howe won 26-20 in a very competitive encounter, so we know this will be a tough game and one that we need to win to keep up the pressure at the top of the table. Whatever the result, I would like to wish Howe of Fife a safe trip home and all the best for the rest of the season ahead.

Prior to the break, we had a very positive finish with 4 consecutive wins, 3 of which were with the bonus. We, therefore, go into the remaining games in a very positive mood and hopefully that positivity will shine through today.

I would like to thank our match sponsors for the game today, DW Parker Skip Hire and Breen Roofing for their continued support, and to Drew Kennedy for sponsoring today’s match ball. Thanks again, it is greatly appreciated and the club is very grateful to all of our sponsors for their support.

We had a very successful Christmas Party on the 21^st December. Big thanks to those who came along and to Hayley Quinn for her great efforts in organising it. I’m sure this will be an annual occasion and hopefully members will support the event even better next year. We also had the quiz on 27^th, again it was a great night. Thanks to Margaret Anderson for her efforts in preparing this and hopefully Margaret will do this again.

We don’t have any upcoming functions coming up in January but please continue to visit the club website www.ardrossanrugby.com for further information regarding upcoming matches and social events.

Peter Gossman

President

President’s message- Ardrossan vs. West of Scotland RFC, Saturday 23^rd November 2019

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our opponents today, West of Scotland RFC, and their supporters to Memorial Field for today’s Tennent’s National League Division 3 game.

West will be arriving on a high after a very good win last week versus Caithness. We have had some difficult matches with them over the last few years, mainly at Burnbrae, but we fully expect a tough one again today. Whatever the result, I would like to wish West all the best for the season ahead.

We, Ardrossan, have had some disappointing results recently and are really hopeful that we can gain a positive result today. Unfortunately, we have been decimated with call offs, through either injury or work. Again, hopefully this improves so that we can really push on for promotion, which I firmly believe we are capable of.

I would like to thank our match sponsors for the game today, Campbell Fuel Oils and DM Hall for their continued support, and to John Pringle for sponsoring today’s match ball. Thanks again, it is greatly appreciated and the club is very grateful to all of our sponsors for their support.

We have our monthly quiz on Friday 29^th November commencing at 7:30pm. It would be great to see a good number down to support for it and have a great night.

Please visit the club website www.ardrossanrugby.com for further information regarding upcoming matches and social events.

Peter Gossman

President

2019 Upcoming Events

Friday 29^th November- Quiz hosted by Allan Merry (7:30pm start)

Saturday 30^th November- Ardrossan vs Caithness

Ardrossan 2^nd XV vs East Kilbride 3/Cambuslang 2 XV (both 2pm kick off)

Saturday 21^st December- Christmas party (adults) (7pm start)

Friday 27^th December- Quiz hosted by Margaret Anderson (7:30pm start)

President’s message- Ardrossan vs. Hillhead Jordanhill RFC, Saturday 9^th November 2019

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our opponents today, Hillhead Jordanhill RFC, and their supporters to Memorial Field for today’s Tennent’s National League Division 3 game.

Hillhead Jordanhill will be arriving on a high after a very good win last week versus Caithness. We have had some difficult matches with them over the last few years, mainly at Hughenden, but we fully expect a tough one again today. Whatever the result, I would like to wish Hillhead Jordanhill all the best for the season ahead.

We, Ardrossan, had difficult away day at Lasswade last weekend and we were extremely disappointed not to win the game after a continued period of pressure on the Lasswade line in the last 10 minutes. Unfortunately, it was not to be and were left to rue our slow start to the game. We will be hoping to rectify that this week and get back to winning ways and try to get back to the top of the league.

I would like to thank our match sponsors for the game today, Stems and Gems and Bruce Harvey for their continued support, and to Gordon Christie for sponsoring today’s match ball. Thanks again, it is greatly appreciated and the club is very grateful to all of our sponsors for their support.

Today we our hosting Ladies Day. I would like to extend a big thank you to Caroline Monaghan, Fiona Walton and all of the others who have helped to organise the event. The club is extremely grateful to all of the ladies who are associated with the club. Whether it be playing, helping with coaching or volunteering around the club (for example with M&M’s, youth teams), the club would not be the same place without their input and it is hugely appreciated, so a big thank you to all.

Please visit the club website www.ardrossanrugby.com for further information regarding upcoming matches and social events.

Peter Gossman

President

2019 Upcoming Events

Saturday 16^th November- Ardrossan 2^nd XV vs Marr 3^rd XV (2pm kick off)

Sunday 17^th November- Ardrossan Ladies vs Hamilton Ladies (2pm kick off)

Saturday 23^rd November- Ardrossan vs West of Scotland (2pm kick off)

Friday 29^th November- Quiz hosted by Allan Merry (7:30pm start)

Saturday 30^th November- Ardrossan vs Caithness

Ardrossan 2^nd XV vs East Kilbride 3/Cambuslang 2 XV (both 2pm kick off)

President’s message- Ardrossan vs. Peebles RFC, Saturday 26th October 2019

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Peebles RFC, and their supporters to Memorial Field for
today’s National League cup game. This is the 1 st round proper, after our preliminary round win over
Berwick.
Peebles have had a very good start to the season, sitting 3 rd in National League 2. After a defeat last
week at Newton Stewart, Peebles will be looking to get back to form and progress in the cup. We are
certainly expecting a difficult game as this will be a step up for us, playing against a team sitting well
in the league above us.
We, Ardrossan, had another very good bonus point win at home to, then league leaders, Greenock
last Saturday, continuing our superb start to the season, and putting us top of National 3. It was a
terrific game and, again, we played some tremendous rugby. Hopefully this will be on full show again
today, although, unfortunately we may have a number of players missing through injury and work
commitments.
I would like to thank Stephen McAllister for sponsoring today’s match ball. Stephen is a past
president and huge supporter of the club, so many thanks again. I would also like to thank all of our
sponsors for their support throughout the season, it is hugely appreciated and the club is extremely
grateful.
Unfortunately our annual Halloween Party had to be cancelled. Apologies to those looking forward
to an excellent night and, in particular, Laura and Stuart Lamont and the Mackie family, who had
taken time to organise the event. We will have to make up for it next year!
Please visit the club website www.ardrossanrugby.com for further information regarding upcoming
matches and social events.

Peter Gossman
President

2019 Upcoming Events

Saturday 9 th November- Ladies Day + Ardrossan vs Hillhead Jordanhill RFC (2pm kick off)
Saturday 23 rd November- Ardrossan vs West of Scotland (2pm kick off)

President’s message- Ardrossan vs. Greenock Wanderers RFC, Saturday 19th October 2019

I would like to extend a warm welcome to John Black, the players of Greenock Wanderers RFC, and their supporters to Memorial Field for today’s Tennent’s National League Division 3 game.

Greenock Wanderers have had a tremendous start to the season, winning all of their games and are currently top of the league, leading us by a single point. They will come here looking to continue that run and will be hoping to get a result over us, in what, we know, will be a difficult game. We have had some difficult matches with Greenock over the years, and as I said, we fully expect that again today. Whatever the result, I would like to wish Greenock all the best for the season ahead.

We, Ardrossan, had a very good bonus point away win at Strathmore last week to continue our fine start to the season. We have managed to obtain try bonus points in all of our league games so far, which is superb and credit to Rory and the players for producing the expansive and entertaining rugby that we are playing. Hopefully this will be on full show again today. Unfortunately we still have a number of players missing through injury and work commitments, but it’s great that we can turn to the experience of players like Allan Wilson to fill in.

I would like to thank our match sponsors for the game today, Gallagher Pharmacy and Coast to Coast Travel for their continued support, and to Lucas McFarlane for sponsoring today’s match ball. Thanks again, it is greatly appreciated and the club is very grateful to all of our sponsors for their support. 

Today we welcome past players to the club for a get together. It’ll be great to see so many familiar faces back at the club and I hope you and all of our supporters enjoy the day and hopefully we’ll see you again throughout the rest of the season.

As highlighted below, the annual Halloween Party is on November 2nd, tickets £5. The effort made is always phenomenal and it would be fantastic to see high numbers for what is always a great night. Tickets are available through Laura Lamont.

Please visit the club website www.ardrossanrugby.com for further information regarding upcoming matches and social events.

Peter Gossman

President

2019 Upcoming Events

Friday 25th October- Quiz hosted by Dr Jamie Monaghan 7:30pm

Saturday 26th October- Ardrossan vs Peebles (National League Cup) 

Saturday 2nd November- Halloween Party 7:30pm

Saturday 9th November- Ladies Day + Ardrossan vs Hillhead Jordanhill RFC (2pm kick off)

President’s message- Ardrossan vs. Murrayfield Wanderers RFC, Saturday 5 th October

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Murrayfield Wanderers RFC and their supporters to Memorial Field for the Tennent’s National League Division 3 game.
Murrayfield Wanderers have had 2 good wins in a row, producing a very good home win versus Caithness last week. They will come here looking to continue that run and will be hoping to get a result over us, in what will be a difficult game. Whatever the result today, I would like to wish Murrayfield Wanderers all the best for the season ahead.
For Ardrossan, after a disappointing defeat last week in Fife, we are hoping to build on what has been a very encouraging start to the season. To obtain try bonus points in all of our league games so far is very pleasing and shows the expansive and entertaining rugby that we are playing. Hopefully this will be on full show today. Our injury list grows by the week but, hopefully, we will see some players returning soon, which will also be good news for the 2nd XV.
Our 2nd XV have struggled for games recently and are away to Strathaven and our Ladies play at home to Wigtownshire, after a fine first win for them last week away at Hamilton. Good luck to those teams and all youth teams this weekend.
I would like to thank our match sponsors for the game today, Seamill Hydro Hotel, Booth Welsh and Robertson Fine Foods for their continued support, and to Robert Erskine for sponsoring today’s match ball. Thanks again, it is greatly appreciated and the club is very grateful to all of our sponsors for their support.
The Rugby World Cup has now kicked off and the bar has an extended license for early morning kick offs on Saturday and Sundays. It would be great to see people down at the club to enjoy the games, new and old faces, so please come along.
I hope you all have an enjoyable day and may the best team win.
Please visit the club website www.ardrossanrugby.com for further information regarding upcoming matches and social events.

Peter Gossman
President

2019 Upcoming Events

Sunday 13th October- Scotland v Japan (11:45am kick off)
Saturday 19th October- World Cup QF’s (starting 8:45am)
Past player’s day, Ardrossan vs Greenock Wanderers (3pm kick off)
Saturday 26th October- Ardrossan V Peebles (National Cup) followed by Halloween Party
Saturday 9th November- Ladies Day, Ardrossan vs Hillhead Jordanhill RFC (2pm kick off)

President’s message-  Ardrossan vs Carrick RFC, Saturday 21^st September

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Carrick RFC and their supporters to Memorial Field for the Tennent’s National League Division 3 game.

In the first league game of the season, a couple of weeks ago, Carrick had a narrow away defeat and then, unfortunately, did not have a game last week as Caithness could not fulfil the fixture. I’m sure they will be disappointed with that, and will looking forward to get back to playing and will be hoping to get a result over us. Whatever the result today, I would like to wish Carrrick RFC all the best for the season ahead.

For Ardrossan, we are hoping to build on a super start to the season with 3 good victories in league and cup. To obtain bonus points in our first 2 league games is very pleasing and we will be hoping to continue this today. Hopefully, we will see some players returning, which will also be good news for the 2^nd XV.

Our 2^nd XV are away to East Kilbride/Cambuslang and our Ladies play Greenock away. Good luck to those teams and all youth teams this weekend.

I would like to thank our match sponsors for the game today, Central Car Auctions, Paul Stevenson Funeral Directors and J.D Bannatyne and Campbell for their continued support, and to David Hogarth for sponsoring today’s match ball. Thanks again, it is greatly appreciated and the club is very grateful to all of our sponsors for their support.

The Rugby World Cup has now kicked off and the bar has an extended license for early morning kick offs. Scotland also plays their first game tomorrow, Sunday 22^nd at 8:45am, versus Ireland, which is an extremely important game in a tough pool. It would be great to see people down at the club to enjoy the games, new and old faces, so please come along.

I hope you all have an enjoyable day and may the best team win.

Please visit the club website www.ardrossanrugby.com for further information regarding upcoming matches and social events.

Peter Gossman

President

2019 Upcoming Events

Sunday 22^nd September- Ireland V Scotland (8:45am kick off)

Friday 4^th October- AAFPHC Race night

Sunday 13^th October- Scotland v Japan (11:45am kick off)

Saturday 19^th October- Past player’s day, Ardrossan vs Greenock Wanderers (3pm kick off)

Saturday 9^th November- Ladies Day, Ardrossan vs Hillhead Jordanhill RFC (2pm kick off)