Husband and wife publicans who met behind the bar of Rutherglen’s only remaining independent pub have joined regulars in a bash to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
John Vickers had 15 years’ experience in the licensed trade when, in 1989, the Sportsman bar on Glasgow Road came on the market and he snapped it up.
He hired Helen as a part-time barmaid in March that year, and romance soon blossomed.
The couple tied the knot 14 years ago on his 50th birthday.
More than 100 regulars and their families joined them to celebrate the Sportsman’s 30th anniversary in style earlier this month with a masquerade ball.
“I’ve been in the pub trade for 45 years,” explained John, who was brought up in Castlemilk .
“I had worked for other people for years. And when the pub became available, I decided the time was right to do it for myself.”
Working in Blackfriar’s in Glasgow’s Candleriggs, John was responsible for kick-starting the vibrant pub scene in the Merchant City.
He also brought Mayfest to Rutherglen for the first time in May 1989.
Together, John and Helen have built the Sportsman into one of the area’s most popular family pubs.
“I get people coming up and saying: ‘Are you able to do my son’s christening. After all, you did mine,” explained John, 64.
“It is quite gratifying that we hosted a function for someone as a baby, and now we are doing their kid’s christening too.”
John and Helen – who have five children, 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren between them – employ seven long-serving members of staff .
They include Jean Watkins, who stepped in 15 years ago to give John “a wee hand” – and she’s still there to this day.
John says he’s proud to have been able to create a family-friendly bar with entertainment, and a social hub that’s at the heart of the community.
Over three decades, the Sportsman has raised in the region of £250,000 for local and national charities and good causes – and that makes John and 57-year-old Helen particularly proud.
Recent donations include £3500 to Alzheimer’s Scotland, and money for a recent fundraiser for the Hub Club in Rutherglen is still coming in.
“I am fortunate to have been able to serve a very supportive community for 30 years,” continued John.
“I’ve always said that good people make a good pub.”
