The first Club match in Scotland “kicked off” on 26 December 1857 – and finished three weeks later. The game was played against some students from Edinburgh University and it had been decided to play until the best of 7 “goals” had been scored (a try only allowing a kick at goal). This target was not achieved until the fourth Saturday of the game and the game was won by EAFC.
Former pupils of the Edinburgh Academy and members of EAFC were instrumental in the establishment of international rugby, with the first game being played at Raeburn Place on 27 March 1871, the formation of the RFU, SRU (or Scottish Football Union as it was known until 1924) and the IRB and the conception of the Calcutta Cup (the first match for this was again played at Raeburn Place in 1879). A former player and future Club President, Bill Maclagan, went on to captain London Scottish and the first official British (Lions) touring team in 1891.
The Club has produced over 100 internationalists, more than 1 in 10 of all Scottish internationalists and more than any other club in Scotland. It has also provided two of Scotland’s three “Grand Slam” winning Captains in GPS MacPherson in 1925 and David Sole in 1990.
Sir Walter Scott was a founding Director of the Edinburgh Academy and his words are apt for many members of the Club that was formed out of that School:
“Then strip, lads, and to it, though sharp be the weather,And if, by mischance, you should happen to fall,There are worse things in life than a tumble in heather,And Life is itself but a game of football.”