It’s 125 years to the day since Celtic became the first away team to play at Rugby Park…
Today is a little piece of Scottish and Ayrshire football history, with a Celtic connection.
125 years ago today (26 August 1899), the first game was played at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park. This was the second location with this name, the first being a short distance away from the modern site.
The Celts were the first visitors – and since then it’s been a ground with a big place in Celtic history.
10,000 turned out to watch this maiden match, including 2000 Celtic fans. Special trains were put on from Glasgow as part of this.
The Bhoys took a 2-0 half-time lead thanks to goals from John Divers and Harry Marshall. But in the second half, Killie fought back and equalised. Celtic ‘keeper Dan McArthur was praised for ensuring the Bhoys didn’t ultimately lose the game.
The match finished 2-2. Afterwards, both teams went to the town’s Royal Hotel where they were treated to a special meal to mark the new ground’s opening.
At first, the new Kilmarnock ground was bad news for Celtic; they actually lost 6-0 on their next visit in a benefit game for Killie’s James ‘Bummer’ Campbell. The Bhoys had to wait until 28 September 1901 to finally win at Rugby Park (a 1-0 league victory).
Since then, Rugby Park has had a significant place in Celtic’s history. Apart from Celtic Park, this is the ground where the Bhoys have most often clinched the league title.
This has happened five times. The first was in 1969, as part of the Bhoys’ second Treble. It then also happened in 2004, 2007 and 2012. Celtic’s most recent title was celebrated in Ayrshire in May this year.
So if Kilmarnock make the top six this season, look out for another potential Rugby Park title party…
Matthew Marr
Follow Matthew on Twitter @hailhailhistory
Matthew’s debut Celtic book titled ‘The Bould Bhoys – Glory to their name’ was published by Celtic Star Books last year and is available to order HERE. This brilliant book is also available on Amazon Kindle for just £3.49 and includes all photo sections that appear in the hardback edition.
