Cobham RFC

Cobham RFC

Full name	Cobham Rugby Football Club
Union	RFU
Founded	1930 as Old Surbitonians RFC
Location	Cobham, Surrey, England
Ground(s)	Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground, Fairmile Lane, Cobham, Surrey KT11 2BU
Chairman	Tony Balkwill
President	Lionel Frewin
League(s)	London 1 South
Official website
www.cobhamrfc.com/

Cobham Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union club, located in the town of Cobham, Surrey, who play in the London Division of the RFU in the 2010-2011 Season. Cobham RFC is based at the Old Surbitonians Memorial Ground in Cobham. Cobham RFC is affiliated to the English RFU via the Surrey RFU. The club was founded in 1930 by the first leavers of the Surbiton County Grammar (now Esher College)

History

The club was formed in 1930 as Old Surbitonians RFC by the first group of school leavers from Surbiton County Grammar School for Boys. In 1949, as a memorial to those Old Boys who perished in World War II, the grounds at Fairmile Lane, Cobham, were purchased.^[1] After the school moved from its original site in Surbiton to Esher as a boys' grammar school, The Braemar Club was created to honour the old school building. The change of name of the school to Esher County Grammar School and more prominently the evolution of the old school into a mixed sixth form college had a significant and detrimental impact on the flow of young players into the Club, which was one of the driving forces behind the club being one of the first in the country to set up a Mini Rugby section, in the Golden Jubilee year of 1980.^[1] Mini Rugby spawned a sizeable and flourishing Youth section, which has produced national Champions at various levels. The club was placed in the new 1st division of the new Surrey Leagues when the RFU introduced League Rugby in 1987. Prior to this, the club had enjoyed much success, including a famous unbeaten season of 1963-64, and a Surrey Cup Final appearance in 1976. The club changed its name in 1989 to Cobham Rugby Football Club, to both identify more closely with the immediate surrounding area, and to signify the change to an open membership club. Recent years have seen the clubs' steady progress through the leagues, with four promotions in six seasons in the Leagues since 1987, and success elsewhere in winning the Surrey Shield in 1999. The 1sts now play in London South Division 2 following successive promotions under the stewardship of Head Coach, Billy Davison. Despite its name change, it still recognises its heritage and association with the old school.^[1]

Cobham Rugby have a strong heritage as a community sports club with one of the largest Minis sections (U5 to U12) in the country leading to a strong Youth section (U13-U18) and onto senior sides including a veterans side, the All Stars. During 2007 the club raised significant funds from within alongside a legacy from a former player, Peter Marsh, which was Sportsmatched allowing the rebuilding of the clubhouse with a two storey sports and social facility. It announced on 9 May 2011 the acquisition of rights to double the playing areas to six pitches by utilising the derilict golf driving range behind the local Fairmile Pub. The rugby Club share the facilities with Cobham Tennis, Cobham Lacrosse and Cobham Netball.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Club History of Cobham Rugby Club