League Status Since Leagues Introduced

The History of Rugby in Eastleigh

The first known photograph of an Eastleigh Rugby Team was taken in the 1891/92 season. A copy of this photo now hangs in the Clubhouse.

The first known newspaper report of a game played by an Eastleigh Rugby Team appeared in The Portsmouth Evening News on 28 March 1892. A photocopy of this report hangs in the Clubhouse, and reads as follows:

    HANTS COUNTY RUGBY UNION CHALLENGE CUP FINAL TIE

 PORTSMOUTH RUGBY FC   v   EASTLEIGH

This match proved the hardest played on the North End Ground this season, the Eastleigh team having been greatly strengthened since their last appearance in Portsmouth by a number of men engaged in the Railway Works. Owing to the non-arrival of four of the visiting team who had lost their train, the match was delayed for an hour, but at last they arrived, and the teams took the field before a large crowd of spectators, about 150 of whom came from Eastleigh, and who throughout the game made their presence heard most unmistakably. Portsmouth, who were without Edmunds, Rees and Street, started the ball up the slope, and a smart run by Brook transferred the leather to the Portsmouth twenty-five, where he was pushed into touch by Hobbs. For sometime the visitors pressed, when Andrews relieved by some good kicks into touch, but Sprittles also gained a lot of ground for Eastleigh by similar tactics. Portsmouth rushed the ball up the field, and some pretty passing between Andrews, Hobbs and Jones was then witnessed. The latter attempted to drop a goal from the touch line, the ball dropping just under the bar. Biggs nearly got in, being brought down about three yards from the visitor’s line. The ball was then taken down to the home twenty-five, the leather, after a few scrums, being kicked over the line, where an Eastleigh forward [ James ] scored a try. The kick was taken by Ball, but was a poor one. This success caused great excitement amongst the crowd of onlookers who hailed from Eastleigh, but the home team offered a hard and determined resistance, and prevented any other point being scored. Half-time now arrived, and the teams crossed over amid much excitement. The supporters of Portsmouth were not yet disheartened, having confidence in the staying power of the team, which was fully verified, for the forwards now made the game “loose”, and got away with some good dribbles, and ten minutes from the recommencement Ward dribbled over and obtained a try near the corner flag amid a storm of cheers. Five minutes was now spent in measuring the distance of the spot where the try was obtained from the goal line, but the verdict was “a try”. The kick was taken by Andrews, and the ball went perfectly true, but dropped just under the bar, although a lot of people fancied it was a goal, and cheered accordingly. Soon after this a free kick was given to Portsmouth for off-side play, and Andrews almost placed a goal, the ball going a little to the left of the posts. Springer now retired from the Eastleigh ranks, having hurt his ankle, but Brook and Sprittles relieved by some good running and passing: their forwards also worked hard, but the Portsmouth men, encouraged by success, played a grand game, Hobbs running being excellent. Mason also nearly got in: Ward then got over, but was pushed into touch in goal.

From a throw out near the visitor’s twenty-five flag Ward got possession in front of goal, and made a grand run in, scoring almost behind the posts amid deafening shouts, Andrews kicked a goal. This placed the result beyond all doubt, and the home club held their own to the finish, the game ending in favour of Portsmouth by seven points [ one goal, one try ] to two points [ one try ]. Hobbs, Jones, Ward, Allan and Cox played in good style, but everyone did his best. Sprittles, Springer, Ball, Brook, Port and Cowland worked hard for the visitors.

Teams :- Eastleigh : J Price , back; T Springer, JA Brook, S Sprittles, and T Young, three-quarter backs; H Ball and C Weston, half-backs; W Port [ captain ], H Evans, F Cowland, H Beauchamp, H Vaughan, PE James, P Jenner, and H Young, forwards.

Portsmouth :   AJ Cooper, back; A Biggs, EH Andrews and JS Hobbs, three-quarterbacks; A Jones and JH Ward, half-backs; LJ Allen, F Brown, H Brown, F Cooke, G Cox, CG Mason [ captain ], D Perkins, G Read and PG Whitney, forwards.

The cup was presented to CG Mason, the captain of the winning team, by Alderman Marvin, who made some very suitable remarks, and said it was the toughest fight he had yet seen for the cup, although he had presented it twice before. Cheers for both teams, and a vote of thanks to Alderman Marvin followed, and the cup was filled several times with champagne.

Note:   John Brook [ deceased ] and brother Bill Brook [ now living in Australia ] both played for Eastleigh RFC in the 1960’s, and are direct descendants of JA Brook who played for Eastleigh in the 1892 Hants Cup Final.

1892 - 1914 :

Little is known of the Eastleigh Rugby team between these dates. There is written evidence however that the Hampshire RFU was formed, or perhaps reformed, in November 1910 at a meeting with representative from US Portsmouth, Eastleigh FC, Southampton RFC and Trojans.

There is also evidence that Hampshire had a county rugby team in 1900, a year in which they played games against Kent, Somerset, Surrey, Eastern Counties and East Midlands.

It also appears that some local Clubs, like Eastleigh and Southampton, ceased to exist during and after the First World War, which I suppose is not that surprising.

The only other early record of rugby in Eastleigh before the First World War is a copy of  a photograph showing an Eastleigh Rugby Team from the 1910/11 season. This also hangs in the clubhouse, and shows the team wearing white shirts with a ‘skull and cross bones’ badge. This photo inspired the current Mini and Junior Section of ERFC to adopt the name of ‘ Eastleigh Pirates’, and fly the ‘Jolly Roger’ from the clubhouse during home games and training sessions.  

Note :  Research into archive records is on going in order to fill in the gaps of this history from the late 19^th Century up until the formation proper, in 1931, of the current club playing under the name of Eastleigh Rugby Football Club.

After The First World War, and prior to 1931, rugby in Eastleigh was under the name of Pirelli General, a very large employer in those early days.

1931/32 : 

In the summer of 1931 a notice appeared in the Eastleigh Weekly News to the effect that it was proposed to from a club to be known as the ‘Eastleigh Rugby Football Club’. Anyone interested was asked to make contact with Mr G White of 90 Cranbury Road, Eastleigh.

Nineteen persons attended a meeting at the Eastleigh Town Hall, and from those who attended the Club was formed. B Coates was elected the first Chairman, and LJ Woodward the first captain. G White took the position of Hon Secretary and LO Scott was elected Hon Treasurer.

Weekly match fees were agreed at one shilling and nine pence [ approx 20p ], and the Town’s colours of black and amber were adopted for the shirts. Home games were played at Fleming Park and the Pavilion used for changing. The pitch and Pavilion has now been replaced by the Leisure Centre. Socialising and entertaining visiting teams was done at ‘The Home Tavern’ opposite the railway station. First season results included losing to King Alfred’s College 46-0, but beating Trojans ‘C’ 6-3. The Trojans Rugby Club being considered a Southampton Town Club in those days.

1935/36 :

First team record was played 25, won 21, drawn 3, lost 1. The only defeat being against Pirelli General, while wins were recorded over Trojans ‘A’, Bournemouth ‘A’, Salisbury ‘A’, Portsmouth and Winchester. A second team the ‘A’ XV was formed.

New shirts were purchased with the colour red added to the black and amber so as to avoid a clash with most other local clubs who also wore mainly black shirts.

1936/37 :

A third team was formed, the ‘B’ XV, who had to play in their own work shirts at the time. First Club ‘Supper’ [ Annual Dinner of today ] was held at ‘The Home Tavern’.

1937/38 :

First Club President, W Bracken, was elected.

1939/40 :

Only two games played that season, against Isle of Wight and a final game against Bournemouth, before the Club members went to war.

During the Second World War it would be fair to say that Eastleigh RFC was represented as an international team in many parts of the world. Included in the venues was Mombassa, Kenya where Bill Saffery’s Eastleigh XV played on rock-hard, sun-baked grounds. Unfortunately this didn’t last too long as rugby was taking a greater toll than the enemy, and the Commanding Officer put a stop to the team.

Most the players kept in touch during the war using the Secretary, Pop Crocker, as a post box and rallying point.

1946/47 :

On the 26 April 1946 a meeting of players was held at ‘The Home Tavern’. Some members had moved away, and some of course had lost their lives during the war, but the Club started to play again, and new members soon filled the ranks.

The Town Council organised the planting of trees at Fleming Park in memory of the Eastleigh people killed in action, and Eastleigh RFC sponsored ‘our tree’ which still stands with many others as a permanent memorial.

During this season Bill Saffery became the first member of Eastleigh RFC to play for Hampshire, in a game against United Services Portsmouth.

1948/49 :

A second pitch was obtained at Fleming Park. One notable character of that season was the Reverend John Hoskins, curate of Eastleigh Parish Church. It was suggested, but never proved, that the Reverend wore his rugby kit under his clerical attire while officiating at early Saturday afternoon weddings. It was certainly a fact that he regularly arrived only minutes before kick-off. Before moving to Eastleigh he had played regularly for Rosslyn Park.

1952/53 :

First ever Easter tour to Devonshire, playing Chard, Honiton and North Taunton.   

1955/56 :

Moved social headquarters to the Eastleigh Hotel [ now trendy flats ]. First team

played 31, won 24, drew 3, lost 4. During this season played first game against Old Colfeians, who wrote in their match programme   ‘Unfortunately we do not know the record of Eastleigh RFC as it does not appear in The Times RU records. The BR timetable, however, informs that Eastleigh is a town of 30,557 population and has the longest railway platform in England’. Their match programme also stated how proud they were of their unbeaten home record, but this went on that day as Eastleigh took a 6 -0 victory back to their longest platform.

Gus Walters and Andy Turnball played in the Hampshire County Championship side.

1957/58 :

David Meech took over as first team captain, and was another player to gain full County honours.

1961/62 :

Moved social base again to the Eastleigh Working Men’s Club in Market Street. Club Secretary for thirty years, Pop Crocker, retired from the Club and was greatly missed. Unfortunately ‘Pop’ passed away towards the end of 1962.

1964/65 :

On the move again, this time to 8/10 Station Hill, just up from ‘The Home Tavern’. A few dilapidated rooms became ours through a link with the Royal Air Force Association, and warmly known by Club members, and visiting teams alike, as The black hole of Calcutta. No bigger than your grannies front parlour with an entrance under an archway and round the back of the Irish Club. This was in fact the first social home where the Club controlled the accommodation, and took money behind the bar. About this time the Pirelli Rugby Club folded, and we benefited from some good recruits.

1968/69 :

Michael Meech, younger brother of David, became first team captain. Michael must be one of the most outstanding players ever to wear an Eastleigh shirt, and went on to gain over twenty caps for Hampshire. 

1972/73 :

Under the captaincy of Bob Scarr the Club reached the semi-finals of the Hampshire Cup for the first time.

1974/75 :

Moved Clubhouse yet again, this time to our present site in the Pavilion at Bishopstoke Playing Fields.

1978/79 :

Bob Millard became a very successful first team captain, and we reached the semi-finals of the Hampshire Cup this season, losing away to Jersey; and again in 1979/80 losing away to Havant. Under the four year captaincy of Bob the first team record was played 133, won 102, drawn 4, lost 27.

1981/82 :

Golden Jubilee for the Club. Played a jubilee match against Con Van Wely’s XV. Bill Saffery and Con Van Wely played together in the early Eastleigh teams, Con Van Wely now being a prominent member of Bristol RFC. The match was drawn 22 all, which wasn’t bad considering most of the Bristol first team turned up, captained by England flanker Mike Rafter.

1982/83 :

Reached final of the Hampshire Cup for the first time, losing away to United Services Porstmouth. Services at that time being a first class side with games against Wasps and London Irish on their fixture list. Coached by Malcolm Miles the Club went close to defeating Services, but their greater experience saw them through in then end. In that final former Swansea centre J. Janczewski  played for the Club and scored our only try.

The 1980’s, prior to league rugby, was probably the best period for the Club on the playing front. Our fixture list included, and we beat, teams like Havant, Basingstoke, Henley, Bracknell, Camberley, Crawley, Marlow.

The Club put out five senior sides plus a veterans at its height during the 1980’s, not to mention a thriving Mini, Junior and Colts section.

1986/87 :

Reached final of Hampshire Cup, losing at home to Havant by 31-0. The match was refereed by a young Tony Spreadbury.

1988/89 :

Reached semi-final of Hampshire Cup, again losing at home to Havant.

1993/94 :

One of the first, if not the first, women’s team to be formed in Hampshire. Won the County sevens played at Winchester in their first season, mainly due to the strong running of our Welsh international centre. Toured Ireland during 1995/96 as guests of the famous Old Crescent Club in Limerick. At least three of the team played for the County during their existence. Unfortunately at that time the Club could not provide the support need to run the women’s side properly, so most of the team went across to the Trojans Club to form the basis of their, now very successful, women’s league side.