Derek Stark (rugby union) explained

Derek Stark
Birth Name:Derek Alexander Stark
Birth Date:13 April 1966
Birth Place:Kilmarnock, Scotland
Weight:91kg (201lb)
Position:Wing
Repteam1:Scotland U21
Repteam2:Scotland Club XV
Repteam3:Scotland B
Repteam4:Scotland A
Repteam5:Scotland
Repcaps1:2
Repcaps3:5
Repcaps4:9
Repcaps5:9
Reppoints5:15
Repyears1:1987
Repyears3:1988-92
Repyears4:1992-97
Repyears5:1993-97
Years1:1996-2000
Clubs1:Glasgow Warriors
Apps1:29
Points1:45
Amatteam1:Kilmarnock RFC
Amatteam2:Guildford & Godalming RFC
Amatteam3:Chobham RFC
Amatteam4:Boroughmuir RFC
Amatteam5:Ayr RFC
Amatteam6:Glasgow Hawks
Amatteam7:Melrose RFC
Amatteam8:Boroughmuir RFC
Provinceyears1:1987-96
Province1:Glasgow District
Repsevensteam1:Scotland 7s
School:Kilmarnock Academy

Derek Stark (born 13 April 1966 in Kilmarnock) is a Scottish former international rugby union player who played for Glasgow Warriors at the Wing positions[1]

Rugby Union career

Amateur career

Stark grew up in Kilmarnock playing rugby with Kilmarnock RFC and working in his parents hotel there, The Foxbar Hotel.

As a teenager he moved south to England to study a catering course in Woking at the Tante Marie Culinary Academy. While he was there he played amateur rugby for Guildford & Godalming RFC and Chobham RFC.[2]

After a sojourn into athletics, on seeing the top Caribbean athletes run slightly quicker, Stark moved back into rugby playing for Boroughmuir RFC.

Stark played for Ayr RFC[3]

He went on to play for amateur side Glasgow Hawks.[4] [5]

Stark played for Melrose RFC[6] He played half a game for Melrose; one of the ten club sides that he played for.[7] [8]

Stark again played for Boroughmuir RFC.[6] and won the BT Cellnet Cup with them in 2001.[9]

Provincial and professional career

He represented Glasgow District at U21 as well as 7s.[10]

Stark was again picked for Glasgow District when back at Ayr RFC.

He was part of Glasgow District's famous 1989-90 side which went unbeaten all season, winning that year's Scottish Inter-District Championship outright.[11]

On the amateur provincial Glasgow District's move into professionalism in 1996 as Glasgow Rugby - now Glasgow Warriors - Stark signed a professional contract with the Glasgow side. The move came at a time when Stark was considering a move to play for West Hartlepool RFC.[12]

As the Wing named for Warriors first match as a professional team - against Newbridge in the European Challenge Cup - Stark has the distinction of being given Glasgow Warrior No. 14 for the provincial side.

International career

Stark played for Scotland U21,[10] Scotland Club XV, Scotland B,[13] Scotland A and Scotland as well as Scotland 7s.[14]

He notably scored a try on his international Scotland debut in 1993.[2]

Athletics career

From rugby union, Stark tried his hand at being a sprinter,[15] He could run in 10.6 seconds.[2]

Business career

For a short period, Stark - along with international teammates Rowen Shepherd and Gregor Townsend - owned a bar in Edinburgh's Grassmarket area. The bar was aptly named The Three Quarters.[16] Alongside track star Brian Whittle he was a co-director at PB events.[17]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Player Archive : Statistics - EPCR - Official Website. epcrugby.com. 3 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160320103204/http://www.epcrugby.com/statistics/player_archive.php?includeref=dynamic&player=2888. 20 March 2016. dead.
  2. Web site: Rugby Union: Stark's pace supplies crucial ingredient: Bill Leith on. BILL LEITH. 2 February 1993. The Independent.
  3. Web site: Ayr RFC. memim.com.
  4. Web site: Athletics Rugby and Ed Crozier. glasgowhawks.com.
  5. Web site: Gordon MacKay - Glasgow Accies Rugby Club. Glasgow Accies Rugby Club.
  6. Web site: Murrayfield victory is Stark choice for farewell. Peter Donald. 26 April 2001. Telegraph.co.uk.
  7. Web site: Derek Stark on west coast rugby. scotsman.com.
  8. Web site: SCOTTISH CUP. Herald Scotland.
  9. Web site: Boroughmuir lift cup. theguardian.com.
  10. Web site: The Glasgow Herald - Google News Archive Search. google.com.
  11. Web site: Underdog tag spurred on our Glasgow title team, says Derek Stark. scotsman.com.
  12. Web site: SRU face up to the stark reality. Herald Scotland.
  13. Web site: Shade is the only bright spot for Glasgow rugby. Herald Scotland.
  14. Web site: Derek Stark - Rugby Union - Players and Officials - ESPN Scrum. ESPN scrum.
  15. Web site: Rugby Union / Five Nations' Championship: Watt power fuels Scots'. TIM GLOVER in Edinburgh. 16 January 1993. The Independent.
  16. Web site: FUNERAL FURY; Pub chiefs ignore rugby star's plea after brother's death.. thefreelibrary.com.
  17. Web site: Cash crisis for former Olympian Brian Whittle after Bill Clinton quits Aberdeen talk. Charlie Gall. 16 June 2008. dailyrecord.