Ron Glasgow

Born: November 5, 1930

Died: October 6, 2024

Ron Glasgow, who has died aged 93, was an all-action Scottish international rugby player, the type fans loved to watch. A marauding flanker, his speciality was devastating tackling which had opposing backs, particularly stand-offs, in a constant state of red alert.

Especially memorable was his display for North-Midlands against the All Blacks in 1964 leading Bill McLaren to write, “He saw his first obligation as the total destruction of the entire opposing back division … that day he gave [stand-off] Kirton a torrid time” while Glasgow Herald correspondent John Downie reported, “None had more spectacular success than Glasgow who wrought havoc among the tourists’ backs from start to finish.”

A committed team player, fast, strong and aggressive, he was also formidable with ball in hand and in the opinion of many, worthy of more than ten caps. His first was not awarded till 1962 when aged 31 despite having played district rugby for six years while representing Jordanhill College, Gordonians and Dunfermline. Altogether he played six times for Glasgow and 21 for North-Midlands, the latter also including a match against the Springboks

Once capped he soon made his mark. In his second game against Wales in Cardiff, in a notable performance he scored Scotland’s opening try to set up a first win in Wales in 35 years.

His form was recognised by the Barbarians whom he represented eight times during three Welsh Easter tours and a Mobbs Memorial match, occasions he relished given the club’s commitment to running rugby and good fellowship.

Another honour was selection for a World XV in 1964 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the South African Rugby Board, one of only two Scots chosen.

And away from the rugby arena, in 1990 he was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours as Lieutenant Colonel for services to the CCF at Dollar Academy, where he had been head of PE.

Ronald James Cunningham Glasgow was born in Aberlady, East Lothian to parents Tom and Nettie, the middle of three children between brother Alex and sister Bunty. Tom had been a policeman before becoming greenkeeper at Haddington Golf Club.

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Ron attended Knox Academy, where he played rugby as well as for Haddington, with whom he enjoyed his first success, a win at Lasswade 7s in 1948. That year he joined the Scots Guards and as part of the Far East Land Forces saw active service during the Malayan Emergency, later serving with the Guards’ Independent Parachute Company, including periods in Cyprus and Egypt. Military service not only improved his rugby but inculcated in him strong values of discipline, fairness, good presentation and teamwork which underpinned his approach to life.

In 1954 he attended Jordanhill PE College whom he represented at rugby, captaining the team in 1957. He had already played for Glasgow District, making his debut against the South in 1955 and following “an outstanding game” against North-Midlands, he was selected for an international trial in November 1955.

After graduating in 1957 he joined the PE department at Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen, enabling him to play for Gordonians, their FP rugby team, captaining them briefly in 1960. Again his form was recognised at district level, making his debut for North-Midlands in 1958 against the South, continuing to represent the District till 1966.

In 1960 he joined the PE staff at Dollar Academy and began playing for Dunfermline Rugby Club which he represented throughout his Scotland career and also captained. Following trials in December 1961 - in the second of which it was reported “he had played brilliantly and showed he could be as devastating in attack as in defence” - he was chosen for his debut against France in January 1962 at Murrayfield, his final cap coming against Ireland in February 1965, three months before defeating South Africa with Scottish Districts.

Ron Glasgow, at back left, in 1965 with Jim Telfer, Brian Neill, Norman Bruce, Peter Brown, David Rollo, Mike Campbell-Lamberton and Pringle Fisher.

His international record of five wins and a draw stands scrutiny while scoring tries in successive Calcutta Cup matches was a highlight. In domestic rugby he enjoyed 7s success with Dunfermline whom he later coached.

Once his top-level career was over he continued playing into his 50s in special matches often with Edinburgh Borderers, occasionally alongside twin sons Anthony and Cameron.

Ron’s personal life was marked by tragedy with the loss of both his wives. In 1958 he married Nanette Bain at Haddington who died in 1962 following complications from the birth of son Callum. In 1964 he married Anne Fleming from Blairgowrie with whom he had children Catriona and twins Anthony and Cameron but sadly she died from cancer in the late 1980s. It is testimony to his strength of personality that despite such dreadful setbacks he led a purposeful and fulfilling life.

Ron spent nearly 30 years at Dollar Academy where his contribution to the school was hugely appreciated. He enjoyed the outdoors life, keeping himself fit dog walking in the Ochils, chopping wood and hard physical work in his garden. All sports interested him especially golf which he played at Dollar and later in East Lothian once retired. In his 50s he ran several London marathons in about 3½ hours and took part in 24-hour walks, once completing virtually 100 miles, to raise funds for charity.

Uncompromising on the field he could be gentle off it and was an animal lover. Fair-minded and socially quite shy, he enjoyed the company of friends with shared interests. He is survived by his children, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

JACK DAVIDSON

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