A Potted History Of The Old Wimbledonians Rugby Club

From humble origins in 1922 to a thriving club today

Old Wimbledonians traces its origins to 1905 when, with the Presidency held by successive Rectors of the College, the pursuits of the Association (our parent body) appear to have been more academic than sporting.

To the rugby club the season 1922 is of particular importance since it was in the autumn of that year Tommy Neylon announced the formation of a club using, by kind permission of the College, the school field when not used by the boys. Unfortunately no records of those early days now exists but there is recorded in a report from 'J.G.J.' in 1924 "That unpunctuality and non arrival for training, or actually a game are not unknown" (sic); somethings don't change!

In 1923 the Association was entitled 'Wimbledon College Old Boys Association' with its first lay President, Thomas Lloyd.

A meeting held on 25th January 1927 chaired by Frank Ennis reported that a strong fixture list had been prepared for the first full season and that an annual subscription of 15 shillings would be levied. The club's election to the Rugby Union, Surrey RFU and the Referee's Society all took place in 1927.

The club continued to grow and consolidate its position and during the early 1930's transferred its activities to Home Park. Thereafter and until the outbreak of war pitches were leased at various grounds.

The club, and indeed the Association, owe a great debt of gratitude to many for keeping contacts during the war period keeping a faithful record of moves and new addresses, in particular Terry Weiler, who to this day is a much respected Vice-President of the club, and Brian Fox. When Wilf Friis revived the club after the war with Brendan McCrudden as captain and Terry Weiler as vice-captain the club restarted activities with a game against Harlequins on a pitch rented from Kings College, London where the club's rugby was played until 1950. The search for a permanent home ended when a ground was purchased at Clayton Road, Hook for the sum of £5,000. The ground was officially opened on the 21st October, 1951 with a game against the College which was watched by a crowd in excess of 500! Clayton Road remained our home until the 1982/83 season.

1n 1984 the club decided to moveto the Atkinson Morley Hospital ground in Raynes Park on a yearly lease basis until something more attractive and affordable became available. In 1997 the Old Wimbledonians Association managed to sell the ground at Clayton Road and, along with Donhead, the preparatory school for the College, purchased from the Civil Service our current ground in Coombe Lane, a few hundred yards from the College Field.

Since the 1950s the club has been 'open' and the contribution made by non-old boys has been considerable both on and off the pitch. The club is amateur and indeed the players pay to play their rugby. Whilst rugby at senior level is now a serious business with cup competitions and league games dominating the fixture list we are proud of and jealously guard our reputation for fair play and hospitality.

Old Wimbledonians have regularly fielded players who have gone on to higher playing fields including Joe McPartlin - captain of Oxford and six caps for Scotland, Peter Ostling - Blackheath, England trialist and Barbarians, John Travers - Rosslyn Park and England, Brian Mullen - Fly Half for London Irish and Montferrand, Fergus Timmons - Cambridge Blue and Rosslyn Park and most recently John Swords - London Welsh and Rosslyn Park, and Cambridge Blue Ben Ryan - current coach of the England Sevens squad.

When league rugby was introduced in 1987 the club was placed in Surrey 1 where they remained until 1991/2. For the season 1992/3 the club was promoted to London 3 South West where they won all 12 league games and was immediately promoted to London 2 South. Following the reorganization of the league structure we were placed back in London 3 South West where, in 2004/5 we very narrowly missed promotion ending second in the league behind Guildford. Last season, following the loss of 5 key players through retirement and enforced career moves out of the area, we were relegated to London 4 South West.

The 2008/9 season will see us pushing for promotion.