CHARD RUGBY CLUB       A BRIEF HISTORY

Chard RFC was formed in 1876 and is one of the oldest established clubs in Somerset.

The earliest team photograph we have found was taken in 1898 and people who know Chard will no doubt spot that it was taken outside the old library in Boden Street which at the time was the social club for the mill.

The onset of World War One saw the Club virtually close and it was not reformed again until after the Second World War in 1946.

Not many towns of our size can boast that their side played against the All Blacks but on January 3rd 1946 D.R Gents XV took on the mighty side that had beaten England at Twickenham a few days earlier. This game actually took place at the cricket ground and the programme can be seen on the links shown below. There is also an original programme at Chard Museum.

The Club gradually grew and in September 1964 to promote the game in this area a Chard side played against Richard Sharps XV at Taunton Rugby Club.

The Club were playing their games at the current site or occasionally at the old school ground at Forton. The old war time washrooms at the main  ground served as the changing rooms and the clubhouse activities were held at the Choughs Hotel until 1968 when the club members purchased an ex army hut for the princely sum of £1 and erected this adjacent to the ground.

With the number of players increasing Chard began to run three senior sides and a Colts XV and were in desperate need of additional pitches. In the late 1970s the Club purchased the Crewkerne Road site from the owner of the George Hotel and this still serves the Club well for mainly 3rdXV and Junior matches.

In 1983 the Chard Mini section was started by Phil Mead, Mark Saunders, and Ray Lees and has grown into one of the most dynamic mini and junior sections in the south west. Many of the current senior players have come right through from the mini and juniors.

On 17th April 1988 local MP Paddy Ashdown opened the Graham Mear Memorial Changing rooms and the Club at last had the changing facilities it deserved.

The Clubhouse put up in 1968 had just about had its day and this was demolished in 1993 and a few months later on the 19th September the present building was officially opened by the Somerset President, Mr Fred Ellison. The Club staged a day of rugby for all ages from minis to veterans and future world cup final referee Mr Ed Morrison officiated the 1st XV and veteran matches.

The Chard pitch had been infamous for its slope (Hell Fire Corner) and its mud and in 1995 major work was done to level the pitch and to install floodlights.
The new pitch was officially opened on September 1995 when a Chard invitation side hosted an England Classicals XV made up of former International players.
The first games under the new Floodlights took place on Friday 13th October 1995 when the club invited U14 and U15 teams from Holyrood School, Chard and Heathfield School Taunton to play each other. Both games were refereed by Mr Mel Hillman and a large crowd enjoyed two excellent matches.

In 1995 the Club U13 team toured Hong Kong and ten years later the U16 squad had an equally successful tour to South Africa.

Since the introduction of League Rugby the Club 1st XV won the Somerset Division 3 title in season 1991/2, The Somerset Division 1 title in 1995/6 and again in 2002/03.

The club celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2001 and legendary Wales and Lions player Cliff Morgan was the guest of honour at a dinner superbly organised by Tony Cole.

Please click on to the appropriate section to view past photographs, programmes etc.   Glyn Hughes 01/03/07
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