Former Madras, SRU president Jock Steven dies at age of 84

Jock Steven, a former SRU president and a long-time leading player and administrator in Midland rugby, has died at the age of 84 after a long battle with illness.

Mr Steven was SRU president in 1993-94. St Andrews-born, his family farmed at Dunino in the East Neuk.

Educated at Madras College, Mr Steven learned his rugby there and thereafter started a lifelong attachment to the FP club, captaining them in 1958 and 1961. In 1957 Mr Steven and his three brothers – Bill, Alan and Robert – all played for the Madras first XV.

A flanker, Mr Steven played for North and Midlands district against the touring All Blacks in 1964 and for the Barbarians. He never gained Scotland honours, although he was travelling reserve for one Five Nations game.

After playing he was a coach at Madras and with North and Midlands and served as Madras club president from 1970 to 1975.

He joined the SRU’s general committee as the Midlands District representative in 1976, serving all the way through until his presidency of the union. He also acted as manager for Scotland Under-18s and on developmental tours.

His wife Val died last year.