A Lasting Legacy

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School Sports

One of the earliest references to sport in Kibble was found in an 1868 Board of Trustees report, which says that the playground had been enlarged and that the boys played cricket there in the summer and football in the winter.

(Brown, Robert, The History of Paisley Vol. II, Paisley: Cook, 1886)

Therefore, less than ten years after the school opened, there was recognition of the importance of sport as an integral part of Kibble’s activities. Football in particular has been consistently popular throughout our history and to the present day:

‘The boys therein were engaged at football in the playground accompanied by a few old scholars, visitors’.

(Visitors’ Book 1859-1963, Mr. Abercrombie’s Report, 24th March 1883)

This focus on the benefits of sporting activity was a continuing trend throughout the centre’s history, as highlighted again in October 1902, with the opening of a new gymnasium by the Honourable Thomas Cochrane MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Home Department.

(Visitors’ Book 1859-1963, 6th October 1902)

Also, in 1910:

‘Mr Love (Superintendent) brought before the Committee the desirability of having a play field for the boys. A good part of the playground has been taken up with the new buildings. A field near at hand would be a great acquisition to the boys.’

(Minutes of Education Committee Meetings 1910-1914, 6th July 1910 Minutes)

A field behind the main school building was subsequently rented for this purpose, for the sum of £12 per annum.

In 1959, Kibble’s centenary year, a commemorative booklet reported that boys from the centre had reconstructed and re-laid the sport field and football pitch. The running track (laid in 1955) was the only one in Paisley and, like the school football pitch, was very much in demand for special occasions by local organisations. St. Mirren F.C. also used it during periods in which its own ground was undergoing re-seeding.

(The Kibble School 1959-1959 [Centenary Booklet], p.12)

This is an example of Kibble’s historical and continuing principle of engaging with, and providing amenities to, the local community.

Currently, in spite of further new buildings on campus, sporting facilities have been expanded to include a basketball court, skateboard rink and a swimming pool. So this very early focus on the provision of sporting facilities continues to this day.

Kibble teams and individuals participated in inter-school competitive sports, including boxing, swimming, lifesaving and football with some success; in 1911, for example, Kibble won the Abercorn Football Challenge Cup, and, in 1950, Kibble and St. John’s were joint holders of the Senior Boxing Cup and Kibble held the Senior Football Cup.

Recreation and Leisure

Recreational and leisure activities have played an equally important part in Kibble’s activities throughout its history, although these too have covered a wide range of activities and have changed over the years.

In 1868, the Trustees’ Report stated that the school had its own flute band, for which uniforms had been provided.

(Brown, Robert, the History of Paisley Vol. II, Paisley: Cook, 1886)

By 1891, the band required new flutes, which would cost 'about £3. 17/-' (Visitors' Book 1859-1963, 16th July 1891), so it appears that they were well used during the intervening twenty-three years.

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Elaine Harris, Social Historian has been trawling through our record books and unearthing lots of Kibble stories.

Tel: 0141 889 0044

Email: info@kibble.org

Scottish Charity No SC026917
Company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland No 158220
Registered Office Abercorn House, 79 Renfrew Road, Paisley PA3 4DA