About
History of Croydon RFC
Formed in 1956 as Shirley Wanderers RFC and expanded in 2003 by the admission of former members of Old Croydonians RFC, the history of today’s club is briefly summarised for your interest. Shirley Wanderers was started by a mixture of players from rugby playing schools and those who had never played the game before. After 7 years as a wandering size they opened a clubhouse on the present site in 1963 and leased 3 pitches from the City of London Corporation. Two of these pitches remain and 2005 has seen a complete drainage and re - laying of the first team pitch and floodlit training area in the club house area leased from Thames Water PLC. Despite a serious fire in 1974 the clubhouse and training facilities have steadily improved to the extent that the Club boasts one of the most spacious and atmospheric amateur rugby club facilities in the Kent/Surrey area.
In 2003 we welcomed players and longstanding supporters of the Old Croydonian RFC and are indebted to Bernard Woolnough for his history of this well known local club that has now joined forces with the Club. Old Croydonians were formed in 1924-25 and after leasing several local playing fields in 1970-71, settled on their own freehold site in Layhams Road, a country lane which runs into Kent Gate Way, Addington Road, where Croydon RFC is sited. The Old Croydonians survived the War Years raising a team to play the school (Selhurst Grammar School) in the 1943-44 season. Bernard played for the school that year! The club became “open” and the Old Croydonian sports club was founded. A famous event in the Croydonians was to reach the finals of the Middlesex 7’s at Twickenham in its 50th year. With the closure of Selhurst Grammar School, the club lost its regular supply of new young players and therefore, like Croydon, relied on attracting players from other clubs, young men relocating to the area for employment and from non-playing rugby schools.
Croydon RFC has run up to 5 senior sides and a colts side. Reflecting the changed environment of many other sporting and leisure activities being available and the advent of professionalism in senior rugby clubs, it now run three senior sides and two junior sides. The Club are indebted to a small team of dedicated former playing members, supported by a proactive group of parents for its success in recent years in returning to its roots and providing a junior rugby playing environment in which youngsters with no previous rugby playing experience are able to receive coaching either in their schools, club members working with sports teachers in their schools, or on a Sunday morning.
2003/2004 has witnessed a surge in enthusiasm for Croydon RFC at all levels. On the rugby scene an active junior squad, three senior sides and the launch of a Vice Presidents membership category looks set to secure an improving playing standard, supported by former players whose pride in both former clubs is resurgent. On the social scene the spacious club hall/gym has hosted several well-supported social events. Lettings for weddings, anniversaries and other special occasions are increasing, thus providing a cash-flow. With the support of all our members this will enable the club to live up to its tradition of playing ambition and high social enjoyment.
Modernisation and remodelling of the changing rooms and showers, along with extensive refurbishment work on the bar and grounds, will mark the 50th anniversary of Croydon RFC in 2006.
There is much to look forward to in the future.
If you have ever been involved in Shirley Wanderers or Old Croydonians please contact us through this site.
We would love to hear from you.
