Jim Paterson
Dalziel Rugby Club Stalwart
Funeral to be held at Daldowie Crematorium on Friday 9th August at 10.00am
Our good friend and long-standing club member, Jim Paterson also known as Jimmy P. or more commonly "Big Jim", passed away on Sunday 28th July after a fight with pancreatic cancer. Our thoughts and sincere condolences go to Jim’s family and friends at this devastatingly sad time, and we think especially of Janette, Claire and Alan along with Jim’s much loved grandchildren Michael, Matthew, Thora and Oliver.
Jim left Wishaw High School in 1967 and as a gangling youth of well over 6 feet wishing to further his rugby career, soon became a regular in the Dalziel HSFP team of that era. Jim played with Dalziel stars of that time such as Ian "Peem" Young, Sandy Hunter, Jock Magowan, Robin Austin, Willie Miller and Bill Calder. His height led him to be the First XV main line out jumper for many years in the days long before "lifting" in the lineout came into the Laws of rugby.
Although Jim played from season 1967/68, the first press report in which he figured was in 1968/69 and club records show that whilst other players came and went, he was an integral part of the First XV from then until 1986/87 season. A real stalwart of rugby at Dalziel.
Jim was a key player in the first year of the National Leagues in 1973/74 when the team completed their league fixtures undefeated. Around that time he also was one of the seven Dalziel First XV players selected to represent the club in the Glagow District Union XV.
Jim was at the forefront of the success of the club in the 70’s and 80’s when they won promotion year on year to reach National Division 2 as one of the top 36 clubs in the country.
Jim graduated from Glasgow University in 1972 with a degree in Agricultural Botany.
Following his marriage to Janette in 1976 the arrival of Claire then Alan, along with his teaching career in Biology Jim was kept very busy, but always enjoyed time with his family.
When Alan Calder started up the Youth Festival in 1991, one of the first to be brought on board was Big Jim and every year until this year Jim was involve in some capacity making a major contribution over the 32 years of his involvement.
For over 20 years, Jim oversaw the Schools Festival which involved large numbers, up to 250 S1 and S2 boys and girls teams on the day before the Main Youth Festival.
As a teacher at Bellshill Academy Jim assisted Richard McLatchie in running the Bellshill School rugby team and encouraged many boys from Bellshill to come and join Dalziel Youth Rugby on Sundays.
Jim had been involved in coaching mini rugby from 1986/87 on top of his own playing career. He was very committed and successful as a coach and organiser. His best moment came when he successfully coached and managed Dalziel to the Scottish S2 Digital Championship in season 1992/93. As the SRU did not award medals to mark the achievement, Jim dipped into his own pocket and very generously bought every squad member a medal.
Not only did Jim coach the team but he engaged the help of many parents who were all very happy to follow Jim’s example in all sorts of supporting activities including transporting the team all over Scotland.
Big Jim had played at venues all over the country and as one would expect had a wealth of stories, to be fair some completely unsuitable for commitment to paper!
One of his favourite stories involved HMS Neptune who played at Faslane. The Navy boys could not find a referee, so they press ganged one of their supporters into refereeing the game, but no whistle available; a kazoo was used.
Jim was given may accolades by the club but his award of the Robin Austin Memorial Trophy in 1994 was especially important and there could hardly have been a more appropriate winner. In his later years Jim rarely missed a home First XV game and was always to be found in the stand casting a critical eye over the young stars of today!
Outside his rugby Jim was a keen horticulturist and over many years used his skill and expertise to enhance the gardens of many of his friends and colleagues.
The Club’s brief intimation on the web on Monday 29th has produced an incredible number of comments from past fellow players, pupils, coaches and teaching colleagues which illustrates the depth and width of all the great work carried out by Jim in his career on and off the park!
Jim Paterson…..A Dalziel Legend.