Portobello RFC, formerly known as Portobello FP, is a rugby union side based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Portobello RFC
Full namePortobello Rugby Football Club
Nickname(s)Porty
Ground(s)Cavalry Park, Duddingston, Edinburgh
League(s)East Division 1
2019–20East Division 1
Team kit

The first XV currently play in East Division 1. Their 2nd XV play in the East Reserve League 2.

History

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Portobello was founded as a former pupils club of Portobello High School, once one of the largest schools in Europe. It is no longer purely a haven for former pupils and welcomes players from all over the rugby world. They play their rugby at Cavalry Park in the shadow of Arthur's Seat

The club was reformed in 1954 and enjoyed fixtures against the elite of the established "circuit". Portobello tried for many years to climb out of the old Edinburgh District League achieving that in the 1970s climbing through Divisions 7 to 2 in successive seasons.

As recently as 2007 we were a club in doldrums with playing membership down and results on the field less than inspiring. Rather bizarrely the event that acted as a catalyst for improvement was a fire which decimated the clubhouse in May of that year. This unfortunate inferno brought friends, members and players (current and past) together to rebuild the club physically and metaphorically.

The subsequent season saw a significant upturn in the playing fortunes with 1st and 2nd XV both turning in more than respectable performances. The icing on the cake was a glorious cup run culminating in an appearance in the National Plate final at Murrayfield on 3 May 2008.

The 2008–09 season saw the 1st XV finishing runners up in their league while the 2nd XV finished top of the tree in their respective division. In 2009–10 the top team were once again pipped for the title by North Berwick and the SXY2S finished 3rd in their respective league.

The club also runs a thriving Youth Section with teams at all Micro (Primary 1 and Primary 2), Mini (Primary 3 – Primary 7), Midi (S1 up to under-16) and Colts (under-18) levels. All coaching is run by experienced and qualified coaches

The Gaelic football team, Dúnedin Connolly GAC currently share their ground.[1]

Portobello Sevens

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The club run the Portobello Sevens tournament.[2]

Honours

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  • Portobello Sevens
    • Champions: 1983, 1984, 1990
  • Edinburgh and Lothian U-16
    • Champions: 1993
    • Runners up: 1992
  • Peebles Sevens[3]
    • Champions: 1987, 1990
  • Walkerburn Sevens[4]
    • Champions : 1974, 1981, 1983, 1984
  • Livingston Sevens[5]
    • Champions: 1974, 1978, 1979, 1981
  • Grangemouth Sevens[6]
    • Champions: 1983
  • Gala Y.M. Sevens[7]
    • Champions: 1973
  • Royal HSFP Sevens[8]
    • Champions: 1984, 1986, 1987
  • Preston Lodge Sevens[9]
    • Champions: 1986
  • Broughton Sevens[10]
    • Champions: 2009
  • Alloa Sevens[11]
    • Champions: 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977
  • Lismore Sevens[12]
    • Champions: 1978
  • Holy Cross Sevens[13]
    • Champions: 1995
  • Glenrothes Sevens[14]
    • Champions: 1980
  • Haddington Sevens[15]
    • Champions: 1982, 1984, 1985
  • Edinburgh Northern Sevens[16]
    • Champions: 1970
  • Edinburgh District Sevens[17]
    • Champions: 1973, 1974, 1983
  • Musselburgh Sevens[18]
    • Champions: 1984
  • North Berwick Sevens[19]
    • Champions: 1979
  • Old Augustinians Sevens[20]
    • Champions: 1980

Notable former players

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Glasgow Warriors players

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References

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  • Massie, Allan A Portrait of Scottish Rugby (Polygon, Edinburgh; ISBN 0-904919-84-6)
  1. ^ Dunedin Conollys Archived 7 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Portobello Sevens". 10 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Peebles Sevens". 7 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Walkerburn | Kings of the 7s".
  5. ^ "Livingston Sevens". 5 July 2019.
  6. ^ "Grangemouth Sevens". 11 June 2019.
  7. ^ "Gala Y.M. Sevens". 27 June 2019.
  8. ^ "Royal HSFP Sevens". 10 June 2019.
  9. ^ "Preston Lodge Sevens". 9 June 2019.
  10. ^ "Broughton Sevens". 7 June 2019.
  11. ^ "Alloa Sevens". 7 June 2019.
  12. ^ "Lismore Sevens". 7 June 2019.
  13. ^ "Holy Cross Sevens". 7 June 2019.
  14. ^ "Glenrothes Sevens". 7 June 2019.
  15. ^ "Haddington Sevens". 7 June 2019.
  16. ^ "Edinburgh Northern Sevens". 7 June 2019.
  17. ^ "Edinburgh District Sevens". 7 June 2019.
  18. ^ "Musselburgh Sevens". 7 June 2019.
  19. ^ "North Berwick Sevens". 7 June 2019.
  20. ^ "Old Augustinians Sevens". 29 July 2022.
  21. ^ "Hamish Bain".
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