RUGBY UNION: Former player’s cash boost for Irvine Rugby Club

Jun 8 2012 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

IRVINE Rugby Cub are quids in, thanks to the generosity of former player Gordon Kilpatrick.

Gordon, originally from Kilwinning, dropped into the club’s 50th anniversary Sportsmans Dinner in the Volunteer Rooms on Friday night, and was cheered to the roof when he presented club treasurer Gary Auld with a cheque for £20,000.

Jet-setting Gordon is a founding partner of Cambridge-based Richmond Bridges LLP, which devises sophisticated computer programmes to help financial institutions respond to market conditions and new regulations.

Previously, Gordon had a career at a senior level with Citibank, Barclays Bank and Ernst & Young, working globally as an experienced programme management professional before branching out with business partner Lisa Wiffen with Richmond Bridges LLP in the south of England.

He has homes in Kent and Nice as well as property in Barbados and had just completed working on a contract in Moscow before arriving in Irvine.

“Gordon has never forgotten his time at Marress and has been a regular contributor to the club for a number of years now,” said Irvine Vice President, Finance, Robert Auld.

“But even by his standards this is quite exceptional and we are really grateful for his kind donation.”

Rugby club officials will sit down this week to decide how best to use the cash and, added Robert, there is no shortage of projects on the go at Marress.

“Obviously our year-long anniversary celebrations need funding and our youth section is expensive to run,” added Robert.

“On a more ambitious scale we’re hoping to install floodlights and build a small grandstand and we’ve received grants from the SRU and the Cashback for Communities scheme which filters money clawed back from the proceeds of crime into projects which will benefit young people.

“However they won’t cover the costs of the lights and the stand and maybe some of Gordon’s donation could go towards those.

“As I said it’s a marvellous gesture from Gordon and hopefully it’s part of a continuing sponsorship.”