A FAMILY AFFAIR
Brothers follow in father’s footsteps as they win league title with Accies
ARDROSSAN Accies broke open the champagne on Saturday after securing only the third league title in the club’s history...and two brothers had more reason to celebrate than most.
Accies were presented with the West Division One trophy after a 24-5 win over East Kilbride at the Memorial Field, extending their 100 per cent league record to a 16th game.
Only in 1993 and 2003 before had the club topped the pile in a league season.
And while each of the club’s league winning sides have had being the best of the bunch in common, there is another unique similarity between all of the squads.
Alan Anderson captained Accies to the first of those league title wins 31 years ago, and was still a member of the playing squad for the second a decade later.
Alan was joined at the 2003 celebrations by his young sons Ruairidh and Jack.
And 21 years on, both Ruairidh and Jack were right at the heart of the celebrations on trophy day on Saturday, having been a key part of the Accies’ squad throughout the current campaign.
The duo have become accustomed to playing alongside each other and marked 100 games together in the titlewinning victory over Kilmarnock on March 30.
“It’s a pretty cool stat that there’s been an Anderson involved in every league title in the club’s history,” Jack Anderson admitted.
“Dad was the captain the first time the club won a title, and played in the one after that, so to follow on from him and win it with my brother is so special for us and the family.
“It’s a dream come true that my brother and I have played so many games together - at all levels as well.
“We won a Stockholm 10s tournament together and played against Newcastle Falcons with the Ayrshire Bulls together – but I think winning the league in our 100th game together tops it all.
“We got each other presents, and managed to find some time within all the celebrations to have a beer and a cigar together and just enjoy the milestone.”
Brother Ruairidh added: “This is probably one of my favourite achievements so far. We have played at all levels in multiple countries, and to get our 100th game to win the league is so special, and a memory I’ll cherish forever.
“It’s an amazing feeling. It’s something we’ve worked so hard for as a collective group.
“You can see how much this meant to everyone within the club. The level of support we have received this year has been amazing and really appreciated.”
The celebration has been especially welcomed at the Memorial Field club, who have lost a number of their ‘Accies family’ in recent years.
Jack added: “It means so much to me after everything the club has been through, especially since Covid. There’s been a lot of loss within the club that we have all felt massively.
“We know nothing can fill the void these special people have left, but we have been told that being able to watch us play and win on a Saturday has really helped massively, and has put into perspective how important and special this club really is to so many people.
“To be able to help bring this league title to the club and give people something to be proud of is very special.”
Now the Andersons have their sights on helping guide the Accies to an unbeaten league season with only two matches remaining.
And both are hoping the wait for a fourth title isn’t as long as the two decades it took the club to achieve their third.
Jack said: “Personally I was hoping to hit a 300-point season, but think I might fall just short on 267 with two games to go.
“We also have our ultimate goal as a club of making sure we go the season unbeaten.
“But moving forward I believe this is only the start of the journey.
“We have such a special group and a very young average age. It would be very disappointing to have to wait 21 more years to win another title.”
Younger brother Ruairidh continued: “We have such a good group of players that are friends not just on the pitch but off of it as well. We will stay together for a number of years to come.
“I think we already have our eyes set on getting another title under our belts.”
(Photos courtesy of Ardrossan Accies RFC)