The Greenyards is a sports ground in Melrose, Scottish Borders. It has been the home of Melrose RFC for rugby union matches and the annual Melrose Sevens tournament. The first ever rugby 7s matches were played at the ground in 1883. The professional side Southern Knights use it for home matches in the Super 6 competition. In 2019 the grass pitches were replaced with an artificial surface, with floodlights around the ground. The ground has a capacity of 15,000.
 The main stand in 2007 | |
 | |
| Location | High Street Melrose Scotland TD6 9SA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 55°36′00″N 2°43′23″W / 55.60000°N 2.72300°W |
| Owner | Ormiston Trust |
| Capacity | 1174 |
| Surface | 3G pitch |
| Tenants | |
| Melrose RFC | |
History
edit
The press box dates from the 1930s. The main stand on the east side of the playing area has 1174 seats.[1] More than 10,000 people were expected at the 2012 Melrose Sevens tournament.[2]
In late August 2016, plans were put forward for redevelopment.[3] These plans included increasing the pitch size and improve lighting to be strong enough to cater for television coverage.[4]
In 2019 the main stand was renamed the Cairnhill Steel Solutions Stand, as part of a sponsorship deal.[5]
The installation of the 3G pitches received support from Scottish Borders Council and Scottish Rugby.[6] The official opening of the new 3G pitch with floodlights took place in November 2019.[7]
A plaque on the side of the stand in memory of Ned Haig was officially unveiled in April 2022.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Melrose, High Street, Greenyards, Melrose Rugby Football Ground". Canmore. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ "Sevens heaven". The Herald. Glasgow. 14 April 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ "Melrose RFC to transform the Greenyards". Border Telegraph. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ Knox, David (6 April 2017). "3G plans unveiled for Melrose Sevens". Border Telegraph. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ Kemp, Kenny (7 November 2018). "Cairnhill steel firm to sponsor Melrose Sevens". insider.co.uk. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ "Melrose 3G sports pitch plans get green light". BBC News. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ Knox, David (4 November 2019). "Doddie's delight as 3G opens at the Greenyards". Border Telegraph. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ Hislop, John (8 April 2022). "Ned Haig honoured in home town of Melrose ahead of 7s tournament". The Border Telegraph. Retrieved 26 December 2022.