SUPPORTERS will get the chance to take a step back in time to the rugby strip of yesteryear in celebration of Musselburgh Rugby Football Club’s centenary.

A consignment of old-style cotton rugby shirts, in the club’s traditional ‘butcher’s apron’ design, is set to be delivered in June.

The shirt will include an update to the club’s traditional logo with the centenary dates, and ‘Musselburgh RFC’ across the back.

Jill Irving, club treasurer, said: “We are excited to have found a supplier of the old-style cotton rugby shirts, as they are difficult to find in this age of the new style of material.

“We feel this is relevant to our centenary celebrations and have had a positive uptake, with everyone having fond memories of the retro style garment. The ‘butcher’s apron’ is the navy design with white stripes, which the club have played in throughout their time, and the supplier has managed to recreate this nicely.

“We are looking forward to taking delivery in June and are also in the process of getting our own centenary tartan woven by a mill in Langholm to allow us to offer our very own tartan products, including bow ties and ties, over the summer too.”

The club has not allowed the Covid-19 pandemic to hold back its centenary celebrations, which have been marked online, attracting contributions from former Scotland internationalists.

The relaunch of its online shop – www.musselburghrfc.com/shop – has also been welcomed.

Pre-orders of the shirt were being taken until Monday and have been popular amongst members and supporters, with many already securing their size. The club will also be getting its own supply to sell through the shop should anyone miss the pre-order stage.

The shirts are £25 for children and £35 for adults, with the latter coming in a men’s/unisex size, and a slightly more fitted ladies’ cut.

The club is also preparing to welcome back guests to its beer garden from next Friday (April 30) on Fridays, 6-10pm, and Saturdays, noon-10pm, with bookings being taken via email to mrfcbar@outlook.com

Musselburgh Sports Club was formed in 1920 by locals who noticed a thirst for outdoor sports in the town, and included pastimes such as football, athletics, cricket, golf and rugby.

The original minute book of the sports club documents the application and sanction of a rugby section on February 15, 1921, and thus Musselburgh Rugby Football Club was established.

In the 1930s, the other sports such as football and cricket were all going their separate ways while the rugby club membership was strengthening, so in 1938 Musselburgh Sports Club was renamed Musselburgh Rugby Football Club.

The club moved from its original home, where Monktonhall Golf Club now resides, to its current home at Stoneyhill in 1951, shortly after it entered the Scottish Rugby Union as a full member in 1948.