History - Rolls Royce (Hillington) 1946 – 1970
Paisley Grammarians Rugby Football Club (Crookston) 1970
Crookston Bowling Club 1975
In 1946 Rolls Royce purchased the present site on Crookston Road and developed three football pitches, a cricket ground & bowling green for the use of their employees. Soon after there was further development two tennis courts & a large pavilion the employees co
ntributing to a sports fund from their wages for the facilities. In the season of 1956 the bowling club joined the Barrhead and district league with bowling & associate members being permitted to hold office in the committee. This was a start of a fairly successful beginning for the club achieving the title of Barrhead and District winners three times and reaching the Scottish title at Queens Park Glasgow on four occasions. Several cups were also added to the trophy cabinet. 1970 saw the beginning of a recession in the business world and Rolls Royce went into receivership causing them to release some of their assets with the sale of the sports ground to the Paisley Grammarians Rugby Football Club (P.G.R.F.C)
The bowling club was reformed in 1971 and was known as (P.G.R.F.C Crookston) at that time the 80 members had autonomy from the parent club with the P.G.R.F.C paying only for all subscriptions to the various associations required for the bowling section. Government money partly rescued Rolls Royce whom where then able to assist with the upkeep of the green financially. The 30 or so Rolls Royce employees and retired members doing all the necessary work, however every year saw a reduction in membership as travel commitments and the senior members decreased. In 1974 Rolls Royce intimated they could no longer assist with the financial upkeep of the green, the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held in February 1975 noted the decision to rename the club and the title Crookston Bowling Club was accepted by P.G.R.F.C. The newly named Crookston Bowling Club spirits now raised joined the Govan and District Bowling League which entitled the club to enter the associations for National County & District level events. Success was soon to follow in the first year coming second in the league final and winning the league the year after in 1976. Crookston Bowling Club was now firmly established and a Ladies Section was incorporated in 1977 with 40 members. This year also saw the er****on of an extension to the bowling pavilion to permit social functions. In the next few years around 1980 the Rugby Club (P.G.R.F.C) became insolvent and sold the land to Barret Homes with the proviso that the Bowling Club be permitted to make a reasonable offer for the club house and green. This challenge proved no obstacle to the members of Crookston Bowling Club and a sum of £20,000 was agreed. Grants from the Sports Council and The City of Glasgow Council were successful. The offer of a loan from our nearest bowling neighbour at Nitshill and Hurlet Bowling Club sealed the deal and to who we are very grateful for their generous offer in our time of need and accepting our final payment of the loan in 1981. This was only the start of things to come with our Bowling Club achievements going from strength to strength. Successes in the pairs in the Renfrewshire Bowling Association made eligible a player to compete in the Renfrewshire County Team. In addition the honour of holding the Presidency of the Barrhead and District League complimented our ladies and gents achievements securing honours at National District and County level. However the Scottish Bowling Association national final at Queens Park in Glasgow always seemed to elude us despite several attempts until 1989 when we succeeded in lour goal. The “Fours” came in second in their final to Linlithgow beaten by that elusive one shot but they later made good travelling to Northfield in Ayr along with the Juniors and Seniors on two separate occasions. The ladies section can also be proud of their achievements at National and County level. In 1987 winning the National “Fours”, 1988 reaching the National Finals in “Triples” then in 1989 again winning the National “Fours”. 1996 the Glasgow WBA “Fours” and 1999 the Glasgow “Singles” was won by a young player who has been an international at under 25 level for five years.
