Edinburgh Rugby today unveiled the second stage of its 150th anniversary history project, detailing the now-confirmed list of players to have represented the club since 1872, alongside a unique number for every player on their Edinburgh debut.
From the club’s very first player, EM Bannerman of Edinburgh Accies (v Glasgow District, 1872) [#1], to its most recent debutant, Sam Skinner (v Dragons RFC, 2022) [#1314], every player to have worn the castle on their chest is now linked by a unique number that is theirs, and theirs alone.
The full player list can be viewed here detailing every Edinburgh player since 1872.
The club published the project last month to allow time for public interrogation with minor adjustments made, thanks to a handful of former players reaching out to submit or correct their date of debut.
With these alterations now administrated, the club is delighted to publish what, it believes, is a finalised list of players to have represented the club – a watershed moment as Edinburgh Rugby this season celebrates its 150th anniversary.
The club’s Marketing and Communications team will now turn its attention to the next stage in the 150th history project – and one that aligns to the forthcoming Autumn Nations Series – compiling a full list of the club’s internationalists and British & Irish Lions.
Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Mike Blair [#1029] today welcomed the unveiling of the club’s player numbers, calling it a ‘hugely important initiative’ and one that ‘provides a clear link from legends of the past to the current squad.’
He said: “It’s absolutely brilliant we now have a finalised list of players to have represented Edinburgh since 1872.
“It’s a hugely important initiative for the club and one that has taken a lot of work to get into a place of completion – I take my hat off to our Marketing and Communications team for really bringing this project to life in our 150th anniversary season.
“From Edinburgh player number one – EM Bannerman of my home club Edinburgh Accies – to our newest debutant, Sam Skinner – player number 1314 – this project provides a clear link from legends of the past to the current squad.
“Making your debut for Edinburgh Rugby, pulling on the jersey and representing the Scottish capital is something that should be celebrated, and we can now do that with a better understanding of the club’s rich history.”
This latest history project announcement comes in the continued build up to the hotly anticipated 150th anniversary 1872 Cup decider against intercity rivals Glasgow Warriors, which takes place at BT Murrayfield on Friday 30 December (kick-off 7.35pm).
Tickets for the unmissable derby decider go on public sale on Tuesday 1 November, with supporters from both sides of the M8 encouraged to buy early in order to secure the best available seats at BT Murrayfield for world rugby’s oldest inter-city derby.
22/23 Edinburgh Rugby Season Ticket Members can reserve, upgrade or purchase additional tickets for the fixture now as their exclusive pre-sale window opened earlier this week.
