David Shedden


David Shedden was a Scotland international rugby union footballer, who played on the wing. He died in October 2017 aged 73.

Rugby Union career

Amateur career

Shedden went to Spier's School in Beith. His PE teacher was Campbell Bone, an enlightened and passionate rugby coach in Ayrshire.
Leaving school Shedden then played for Old Spierians before moving on to West of Scotland.
He was part of the West of Scotland team that won the 'unofficial' Scottish championship title in season 1970-71.
His nickname was 'The Spear' due to his distinctive tackling style.

Provincial career

Shedden was capped for Glasgow District and played in the Scottish Inter-District Championship.
He played for Glasgow District in the 1974-75 Scottish Inter-District Championship in Glasgow's first Inter-District match of the season against South of Scotland; playing his part to ensure a Glasgow 16-15 win that ultimately helped Glasgow share the 1974-75 season's championship title with North and Midlands.
He also played for Glasgow in the 1977–78 Scottish Inter-District Championship. He was part of the side that beat South 19-6 in the final match, again ensuring that Glasgow shared the championship title, this time with South and Edinburgh District.

International career

He played for Scotland 15 times between 1972 and 1978.
Richard Bath writes of him that:
He won the Calcutta Cup with Scotland against England at Murrayfield in 1976. Unfortunately he suffered concussion after bravely tackling Andy Ripley of England during the match. While he was on the park however he provided rugby commentator Bill McLaren with one of his top five sporting memories with his counter attack setting up of Alan Lawson's first try that day.

After rugby

Shedden developed dementia in his early 50s. This was thought to be linked to his rugby career as he suffered 13 concussions throughout his rugby career. Shedden's form of dementia was thought to be Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, brought on by the cumulative effect of head trauma. He took part in the Rugby Memories programme for its therapeutic effects.
On his death his former West of Scotland and Scotland international team-mate Sandy Carmichael gave this tribute: