Tributes to a true Langholm and Borders rugby stalwart

Not only was Christie Elliot (87) a stalwart of the Langholm club but he was a well known figure in Border and Scottish rugby .

He first played for Langholm  in 1947 and continued with the club for 25 years, retiring in 1972  .

Christie played mostly at centre but, occasionally, took to the field as stand-off or on the wing.

During his years as a senior Langholm player,  he  was not only capped 12 times for Scotland  but was a big part of the 1958-59 Langholm side which won the Scottish Championship  and the Border League.

He won a number of sevens medals, including the Langholm Sports, in that same great year of 1959.

Christie won his first cap for Scotland  62 years ago in March 1958,  when Scotland played England at Murrayfield .

He was drafted into the Scotland team on the Saturday morning of the match as winger – and those travelling from Langholm to support Scotland were unaware he had been picked for the team until he ran out on to the pitch.

During his debut, he was asked to take over  the kicking duties and slotted a penalty for Scotland, which put them into a 3-0 lead.

England also kicked a penalty late in the match for a 3-3 draw and a share in the  Calcutta Cup that year. 

Christie won 11 more caps and was also in the team which beat England 15-6 at Murrayfield in 1964.

Christie played numerous games for the South of Scotland, including a match against South Africa, whom they beat at Mansfield and New Zealand.

He also played for Scotland in Canada in a non-international match and turned out for for the Co-optimists rugby club .

Christie played  his last match for Langholm in the club’s centenary year, 1972, against Hawick.

He scored a try  that day as Langhom won 6-0 – and the whole crowd rose in appreciation.

He retired from Langholm at the age of 39 but played in a few invitation matches after that.

Christie played over 1000 matches in his career and scored over 2000 points – a fine record for a fine rugby player.

In February 2018, he celebrated his 85th birthday and the club marked 60 years since his first cap with a celebration at the club, along with family and friends.

Until very recently, Christie was a regular attender at home matches and senior members’ functions, and was always ready to help out with sage advice and good humour.

He will be much missed by all at the club, who have expressed condolences to his family.