Portobello RFC, formerly known as Portobello FP, is a rugby union side based in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The first XV currently play in . Their 2nd XV play in the East Reserve League 2.
History Portobello was founded as a former pupils club of Portobello High School, once one of the largest schools in Europe. It is no longer purely a haven for former pupils and welcomes players from all over the rugby world. They play their rugby at Cavalry Park in the shadow of Arthur's Seat
The club was reformed in 1954 and enjoyed fixtures against the elite of the established "circuit". Portobello tried for many years to climb out of the old Edinburgh District League achieving that in the 1970s climbing through Divisions 7 to 2 in successive seasons.
As recently as 2007 we were a club in doldrums with playing membership down and results on the field less than inspiring. Rather bizarrely the event that acted as a catalyst for improvement was a fire which decimated the clubhouse in May of that year. This unfortunate inferno brought friends, members and players (current and past) together to rebuild the club physically and metaphorically.
The subsequent season saw a significant upturn in the playing fortunes with 1st and 2nd XV both turning in more than respectable performances. The icing on the cake was a glorious cup run culminating in an appearance in the National Plate final at Murrayfield on 3 May 2008.
The 2008–09 season saw the 1st XV finishing runners up in their league while the 2nd XV finished top of the tree in their respective division. In 2009–10 the top team were once again pipped for the title by North Berwick and the SXY2S finished 3rd in their respective league.
The club also runs a thriving Youth Section with teams at all Micro (Primary 1 and Primary 2), Mini (Primary 3 – Primary 7), Midi (S1 up to under-16) and Colts (under-18) levels. All coaching is run by experienced and qualified coaches
The Gaelic football team, Dúnedin Connolly GAC currently share their ground.Dunedin Conollys
Portobello Sevens
The club run the Portobello Sevens tournament.
Honours
Portobello Sevens Champions: 1983, 1984, 1990 Edinburgh and Lothian U-16 Champions: 1993 Runners up: 1992 Peebles Sevens Champions: 1987, 1990 Walkerburn Sevens Champions : 1974, 1981, 1983, 1984 Livingston Sevens Champions: 1974, 1978, 1979, 1981 Grangemouth Sevens Champions: 1983 Gala Y.M. Sevens Champions: 1973 Royal HSFP Sevens Champions: 1984, 1986, 1987 Preston Lodge Sevens Champions: 1986 Broughton Sevens Champions: 2009 Alloa Sevens Champions: 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 Lismore Sevens Champions: 1978 Holy Cross Sevens Champions: 1995 Glenrothes Sevens Champions: 1980 Haddington Sevens Champions: 1982, 1984, 1985 Edinburgh Northern Sevens Champions: 1970 Edinburgh District Sevens Champions: 1973, 1974, 1983 Musselburgh Sevens Champions: 1984 North Berwick Sevens Champions: 1979 Old Augustinians Sevens Champions: 1980
Notable former players
Glasgow Warriors players
Hamish Bain
References Massie, Allan A Portrait of Scottish Rugby (Polygon, Edinburgh; )
External links Portobello on pitchero.com