Gilbert McClung, 1934-2022
It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Gilbert McClung on Friday 7th October, a fine man, player, past president, and life-long supporter of the Club. He was 88.
Born in Corstorphine, Edinburgh, in 1934, Gilbert and his elder brother, Tommy, were both sent to Girvan Primary School during WWII to escape the German bomber threat. After the war, both brothers returned to Edinburgh where they attended Dalhousie Castle Prep School, Edinburgh Academy and finally Sedbergh, before following each other down to read Agriculture at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, a year apart.
After university, Gilbert returned to Edinburgh and was a stalwart of the Accies team of the 1950s/60s, when the Club enjoyed a remarkable period of success, winning the unofficial club championship in 1955-56 and sharing the title with Jed-Forest the following season. Gilbert played mainly at centre alongside his brother, Tommy, as well as other Accies greats such as Douglas Elliot, Stan Coughtrie, Jake Millar, the Marshall brothers, Keith Paterson-Brown and Mike Marwick. His good form down at Raeburn Place did not go unnoticed and he made his debut for Edinburgh, alongside Accies teammates, Stan Coughtrie and Jake Millar, versus the South at Inverleith on 19th October 1957.
Gilbert on the ball with his old friend, Stan Coughtrie, in support…
Gilbert (back row third from left) missed out on the 1955-56 season as he only returned to Edinburgh in the summer of 1956, but he starred in the 1956-57 championship winning side, captained by Robin Marshall…
Accies 1st XV, Centenary Season 1957-58
JB Neill, RJ Marshall, G McClung, S Coughtrie, JK Millar, MTR Marwick, MJ Sands, JDL Fairburn.
DJ Marshall, JA Simson, T McClung, JH Marshall (Captain), JC Walker, AF Gardiner, KW Paterson-Brown.
DD Walker, TLB Adam.
Centenary Match, 6th Oct 1957 - Academicals (24) vs. International XV (12)
Gilbert (middle row, third from the right) played in the now legendary Centenary Match against a very strong International XV captained by fellow Accie, Douglas Elliot and including such greats as Tony O’Reilly, Ken Scotland, Clem Thomas, Jean Prat etc
After retiring from playing, he became a popular committee member and was president of the Club from 1988-90. He made a very positive impact during his tenure as president down at Raeburn Place and was a widely respected figure in Scottish rugby circles.
Gilbert, in partnership with his brother, Tommy, was a successful farmer and potato merchant, with farmland across East Lothian and the Borders. Their early days at Girvan Primary School, together with a strong family connection to Ayrshire – their grandfather, Thomas, was born near Ayr and their father, Gilbert, ran his potato business from Ayr before moving to Edinburgh - made an impact on both brothers and, as a result, they maintained a fond and close connection with the Ayrshire potato trade throughout their lives. They even bought a family house at Maidens which was shared between the families and from which they worked for a couple months each year.
Happy times - Gilbert alongside sisters Beth, Janet and brother, Tommy…
Gilbert was a very keen golfer, being a member of both Turnberry and Girvan Golf Clubs, before joining the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers at Muirfield in 1979, where he played and lunched regularly until very recently and where he made many lifelong friends. One of those friends, ex-Scotland and Lions full-back, Andy Irvine, fondly recounted ‘In 1984 I was on holiday in Iona and was walking along the beach when I bumped into my old friend Gilbert and his kids – what a small world! Of course, the ‘old guys’ were roped into playing some touch rugby with the kids and afterwards we all had a lovely lunch together on the beach. I will always remember that day fondly. Gilbert was a lovely, lovely man and will be sorely missed.’ He was an active member and past captain of the Edinburgh Academical Golf Club and was also a life member and past president of the British Rugby Club of Paris (Scottish Section). Indeed, the family connection with the ‘BRC’ continues to this day, with son, Colin, and nephew, Fraser, both stalwarts of the club – the McClung sporting legacy continues!
On hearing of Gilbert’s passing, many past players and friends at Raeburn Place expressed their deep sadness, but also noted what a kind, knowledgeable and respected man he was. Past captain and current EAFC president, Simon Burns, said ‘Both Gilbert and Tommy could not have been more welcoming when I joined the club in the ‘80s and were steeped in all things RP’. Honorary Life Member, ex-Scotland captain and Lion, David Sole, reiterated Simon’s words ‘I was very sorry to hear of Gilbert’s death. As others have said, he was incredibly welcoming to newcomers to Raeburn Place and made both Jane and I feel at home from the very first day we arrived.’ Past captain, Scotland internationalist and Honorary Life Member, Jeremy Richardson, said ‘Gilbert was a top man in all walks of life. At EAFC he was president in the year I was captain (coincidentally Tommy was president when brother Charles was captain - a double family double!). He made a great contribution to our club on and off the pitch and he was hugely respected across the club game In Scotland.’
Gilbert passed away almost 2 years to the day after his brother, Tommy. In death, as in life, the brothers were inseparable. Gilbert made a great impression on everyone he met, and we will miss him terribly.
Gilbert’s funeral will take place in the Main Chapel at Mortonhall Crematorium at 3pm on Thursday, 20th October, to which all friends are invited. There will also be a minute’s silence in memory of Gilbert before the 1st XV league match versus Heriot’s at Raeburn Place at 3pm on Saturday, 22nd October.
Our thoughts and condolences are with Gilbert’s family and many friends, especially his wife, Zoe, children Mandy, Colin and Alastair, and sister, Janet, at this sad time.
Gilbert with Jack, his favourite collie…