Romford and Gidea Park Rugby Club

Like nomads, rugby players in Romford have been on the move since their first match in 1929. It was not until September, 1983 that the club were able to 'touch down' at a base that they could properly call home, following the purchase of a 15-acre (61,000 m²) site in Crow Lane.

In 1929, the founder members, Leslie Diebel and Jimmy Paxton, placed an advert in the local newspaper inviting anyone interested in playing rugby to attend a meeting in the Ship Inn in Gidea Park. Following this meeting, The Ship became the first headquarters of the Gidea Park Rugby Club. The first match was played against Chingford, but the result has long since been forgotten in the mist of time. In those early days, the club used a sports ground at Gallows Corner in Gidea Park for their home matches.

With no rugby during the Second World War, the club was reformed in 1946, moving in 1949 to play home matches at Raphael's Park. It was then that the now familiar colours of black, purple and white were adopted from the crest of Lord Raphael.

In 1953, the club moved again - this time to Cottons Park. The players built their own clubhouse and as the club's popularity increased, so did the clubhouse! As befitting its new location, Romford was added to the club's name - "Gidea Park and Romford RFC". Two years later, this appellation was changed to the present "Romford and Gidea Park RFC". With Ralph Klar MC as the driving force, another small extension was added. In 1961, Ralph was elected as the club's first life member.

During the 1960s and 70s, the club flourished and was the welcome recipient of a healthy influx of Welsh schoolteachers, including Romford legends like Glyn Johns (an inspiring and uncompromising prop forward) and Lynn Herbert (a product of the Welsh fly-half factory). Indeed, at one time, the first XV boasted a total of 14 Welsh regulars, along with their captain Alec Daly - A Scot!

In the 1970s, the club regularly fielded 5 senior sides and, with the increasing popularity of junior and mini rugby, the clubhouse and playing facilities were outgrown. So the search was on to find yet another home. In 1981, with Pat Ridley (a much revered club character and Club President 1975–85) to the fore, the club negotiated the purchase of their present home within easy access of Romford centre. After two years hard work and fundraising, 15 acres (61,000 m²) of land were converted into four pitches and a purpose built clubhouse with changing accommodation was constructed.

The club continued to thrive. Former youth Scrum half Dave Duffus returned from Hong Kong, where he had played for the colony in their Hong Kong Sevens, to skipper the club for, at the time, a record 5 seasons. Other notable captains included Maurice Washbourne, who later became a successful Club Chairman during the 1990s, and the Scottish trialist Mike Lovatt.

Another important development was the installation of floodlights on the main pitch, which then enabled the club to start hosting county finals.

Recent seasons have seen the senior sides to strive to match the developments and success of a youth and mini section. Different teams have won a number of county leagues and cup finals. Numerous tours have been undertaken both at home and abroad including trips to France, Italy and South Africa.

There have been some fine individual achievements. In 1988 Ian "Paddy" Dunston was selected for the England Colts and gained the distinction of being the club's first international. In 1997 Terry Ellis played for England Schools U16s. The 2004 season saw Jon Mason represent England 18 Group v France Ireland and Wales, while Frank Neale was selected for England Colleges. Adam Powell was also fast-tracked into the U19 England squad and played in their Grand Slam Six Nations programme and also played in the U19 World Cup in South Africa where England finished fourth.

2002 bought another milestone to the club when club stalwart Dai Davies was elected County president. During his two-year presidency, Essex became independent of Eastern Counties and gained their own Constituent Body Status of the RFU. Dai has now taken over the Presidency from the long serving Ron Johnson for the start of the 2005/06 season.

The 2003-04 season saw the club establish a Ladies XV – the “Romford Ravens”. The team developed well and, in 2013 they were successful in winning a National Challenge Cup, a title they were able to retain the following season. The Ravens continue to play a prominent role in the life of the club.

The club has seen two major refurbishments. In 2009, an ambitious extension doubled the size of the clubhouse, adding a function room, shop, extra changing accommodation and treatment room. This improved facility was opened by RFU President Brian Williams, along with Jason Leonard who opened the new Ron Johnson Room in memory of the former club president. In 2020, with planning permission finally granted to sell two unused parcels of land for a housing development, the club were now able to pay off any existing loans. The profits were used to fund the laying of tarmac for the long-awaited improved car park, the provision of a modern catering facility and a general facelift to the clubhouse buildings.

Recent seasons have seen the senior side fluctuate between levels 6 and 7 of the RFU league pyramid. During this time, Micky James completed a remarkable ten seasons of club captaincy between 2009-19. As with many clubs, the club is now focused on recruitment and the retention of its playing membership in the aftermath of Covid-19, along with facing the challenges posed by the modern game, work-life balance and competition from other leisure activities.

• London Division 2 North East champions (3): 1993–94, ( Unbeaten League) season. 2002–03, 2011–12

• Essex Cup Winners (2): 1990-91, 1993-94, 2011-12, 2013-14

Essex 7’s winners 1984-85. 1993-94.

Essex Colts Cup Winners 1992-93 and 1994-95.

Ravens-National cup winners 2013 & 2014

• Essex RFU

• Club website