Stewart 'Hammy' Hamilton
It is with enormous sadness that we report the sudden passing of a Hamilton Rugby Club legend Stewart ‘Hammy’ Hamilton at the age 67. A big character who was renowned and respected across the Scottish game.

It was the year after Hammy had captained Stirling County to win the Scottish 1st Division championship in 1995 that he joined Hamilton as player coach. During his 4 years with the club Hammy was involved in the squad that went undefeated to win the Division 7 Championship. By the time of his departure the club had gone on to win promotion to Division 5. More importantly he provided inspiration for a generation of players such as David Gemmell and Richard Maxton who cite Hammy as one of the greatest influences on their playing careers.

Stewart was born in Larkhall and on leaving school joined his family’s agricultural business. After marrying wife Jackie, they moved to Stirling where Hammy first took up rugby at the age of 23. He rapidly rose through the ranks and secured a Scotland B cap while playing for Heriots FP. In 1987, he was selected as a member of the Scotland squad which participated in the inaugural World Cup in New Zealand but was unfortunate not to win a full cap. However, the great British Lions, John Beattie and Finlay Calder both acclaimed Hammy as “the greatest rugby player never to have won a full cap for Scotland” – a statement that is often echoed by many a rugby pundit.

Former Hamilton President, and close friend of Hammy, Iain Leggate said, “Hammy was a huge man with an even bigger personality – once met never forgotten. There was always laughter and a funny story when he was around although he was a ferocious competitor on the rugby field.

It would take a book the size of War and Peace to relate all the anecdotes of Hammy’s life. However, one legendary weekend is worthy of mention. Not long after joining Hamilton, Hammy was also playing professionally for Caledonian Reds in the European Cup. One of the matches was a Saturday fixture against Harlequins in London. However, Hamilton were due to play Cambuslang in the Scottish Cup the following day. Cambuslang, were 4 Division above Hamilton at the time.

Hammy duly played in the victorious Reds team and, armed with a bottle of whisky, flew up on the Saturday night to play, hungover, for Hamilton in their victory over Cambuslang – winning Man of the Match!”

Hammy will always be remembered with great respect and love at Hamilton Rugby Club. He was a regular attendee at events and always promoted the club with great fondness and passion. Our condolences go to Margo, Jackie and his sons Gregor, Scott and Johnny.