It is with great sadness that we have to report the passing of one Hamilton Rugby Club’s greatest servants, Duncan Ryan. Duncan committed a huge part of his life to Hamilton Rugby, as player and coach of teams at all levels. Duncan is one of a group of individuals to whom we all owe a huge debt of gratitude. At a time when we did not enjoy the current wealth of talent, resources and facilities, he worked tirelessly to ensure that Hamilton continued to field teams every weekend. Turning out for the 3's until just short his half century, one of his proudest ‘claims to fame’ was that he had scored a league try from every position, prop through to full-back.

Despite a couple of bouts of ill health over recent years, Duncan did his best to attend homes games– cheering on the players and ‘advising referees on their performance’ in his own inimitable style. Things will be much quieter and less entertaining on that far touchline.

Our thoughts are with his wife Mary, son Douglas, daughter Sheila and his grandchildren Steven and Kerry who will miss him most of all.

Duncan’s funeral has been scheduled for 10.30am on Tuesday 18th September at Holytown Crematorium.