25/06/2025
The Dunfermline Rugby Football Club links to Official Lions Rugby have been celebrated and marked.
Last Friday morning the Fife club had the pleasure of welcoming representatives from Howden Scotland to McKane Park for a very special presentation.
On behalf of Howden Grassroots Sport Insurance, the Lions principal partner, a plaque was gifted to the club to mark its proud contribution to the legacy of the famous touring side who are currently in Australia.
Dunfermline has had the honour of nurturing two Lions players over the years in the shape of Angus Black and Jim Greenwood, both of whom began their rugby journeys at the club.
Scrum-half Black was on the Lions tour of New Zealand in 1950 and played in two Tests in Dunedin and Christchurch which ended in a 9-9 draw and an 8-0 defeat for the visitors.
He won six Scotland caps between 1947 and 1950. He passed away in 2018 aged 92.
Back-rower Greenwood toured South Africa with the Lions in 1955, winning four caps as Jack Siggins’ men drew 2-2 with the Springboks.
He scored tries in both the first and last Tests, with his effort in that first game in Johannesburg proving crucial in a 23-22 victory.
Greenwood made his Scotland debut in 1952 against France and went on to win 20 caps. He captained his country across two spells and, as one of the game’s greatest thinkers, then embarked on a coaching career which saw him write two of the seminal works on the game in Total Rugby and Think Rugby. He passed away aged 81 in 2010.
Tammy Ross, the Dunfermline vice-president and Minis conveyor, received the plaque and said: “It is great to see the club being recognised as the place where both Angus Black and Jim Greenwood started their rugby careers.
“I truly hope that the younger generations coming through the club currently take inspiration from the stories of these two great men and know that they too can follow in their footsteps with pathways available to progress and help them achieve their dreams.
“The awarding of the plaque also highlights the need for volunteers to be recognised for the tireless work they put in at the grassroots level to assist players achieving their dreams.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Howden Scotland’s Mark Amos for presenting Dunfermline Rugby Club with this memorable plaque.
Thank you to Howden Scotland for recognising our role in rugby’s rich history. And a huge thank you to everyone - past and present - who continues to give their time, energy, and heart to our club.
“From players and coaches to volunteers and supporters, this plaque is for all of you. We are immensely proud of our heritage - and even more excited for the future.”
* A version of this article first appeared in The Courier UK on Tuesday *
