History
Bracknell Rugby Football Club was founded in 1955, by a number of Welshmen and a Cornishman who were attracted to the emerging new town. The club moved its Clubhouse to its present site at Lily Hill (where it's one pitch was already situated) in 1972 from the old Brickworks in Eastern Road Bracknell. The Club was already famous locally for its shower block and changing accommodation which stood to the East of the current second team pitch in a former cattle pen
The Club extended its facilities in 1980 and 1989 and not until 2001 were any further major works undertaken when the Club committed itself to improve its spectator facilities and the erection of a stand to become permanent within a two year period and the construction of a path around the pitch.
Both on the field and off the Club has always been in the forefront of thinking for a Junior Club employing a full time Bar Steward in the 70s and in 1991 taking the momentous decision (much to the amusement of its local rivals) to employ a full time coach (to be renamed the Director of Rugby) whilst in the Berks, Dorset and Wilts leagues.
The Club had the last laugh. Under the tenure of Paul Rendall who as one individual has probably had the greatest impact at the Club (in playing terms in any event) in its history the Club rose to the first division. Few will forget the Club beating Coventry at home and playing other such distinguished Clubs as Moseley, Exeter, Rugby, Bedford, Rotherham, Worcester, Otley and London Welsh to name but a few. Sadly the dream did not continue. The Club had grown up too fast and was not ready for the rigours that awaited it. For the third time in the Clubs history it was relegated.
After a year of consolidation in National Two the club had ambitions to move upwards and with the appointment of new full time Director of Rugby this looked possible. However the elusive dream was not in the making and another frustrating and disappointing period resulted in a tough fight to the last game of the season to stay in the league. This was sadly not enough, very much too much effort at a too late a stage.
The following season saw the Club back in National 3 South. The good that this brought was the realisation that the Club had gone back to its roots and appointed local coaches Jamie Turner & Greg Anstead for a locally sought team. To start the season required recruitment of nearly a whole new team, and the coaches rose to the challenge. However, despite their efforts the new team didn't manage to win as many matches as required to maintain status at this level.
The club started the 06-07 Season in South West 1, with home grown experience in players that have come up through the juniors and the ranks of the club. Unfortunately an injury crisis unfolded and the opening 6 fixtures were lost. The members were crying out for a change and the decision was made to appoint Chris Sheasby, ex England, London Irish and Harlequins as player coach. Sheasby's appointment lead to the clubs 1st win on his first weekend in charge! However the club only went on to win 1 more match before Christmas.
The new year dawned, the playing squad was bolstered by the return of several long term injuries and a few new players were recruited which resulted in maintaining the SW1 League status by winning 8 out of 10 matches in the second half of the season. Sheasby and his team also picked up the Berkshire Cup and the 7's team retained the Berkshire Barrel for the 6th consecutive year. The club's 3rd team brought a league title to the club by winning the BBO Division 1 South League.
The club also established an U19's Academy side sponsored by DHL who swept all before them, winning the OBB league at U19 level for the first time in the club's history, the 28th Tournoi Cance in the South of France beating such teams as Toulouse and Stade Francais and finally ended the year as Champions of Berkshire at U19 level.
The 2007/8 season promised much and Bracknell led the South West Div 1 league for much of the season but were eventually seen off by Chinnor the champions and also by Worthing in the promotion play off. Further disappointment was defeat in the semi final of the National Intermediate Cup when the dream of a Twickenham final beckoned. However on the positive side the stable base had been further strengthened and also all of the other Club teams had an excellent season. It is hoped that this will carry forward well into the 2008/9 season.
The Club extended its facilities in 1980 and 1989 and not until 2001 were any further major works undertaken when the Club committed itself to improve its spectator facilities and the erection of a stand to become permanent within a two year period and the construction of a path around the pitch.
Both on the field and off the Club has always been in the forefront of thinking for a Junior Club employing a full time Bar Steward in the 70s and in 1991 taking the momentous decision (much to the amusement of its local rivals) to employ a full time coach (to be renamed the Director of Rugby) whilst in the Berks, Dorset and Wilts leagues.
The Club had the last laugh. Under the tenure of Paul Rendall who as one individual has probably had the greatest impact at the Club (in playing terms in any event) in its history the Club rose to the first division. Few will forget the Club beating Coventry at home and playing other such distinguished Clubs as Moseley, Exeter, Rugby, Bedford, Rotherham, Worcester, Otley and London Welsh to name but a few. Sadly the dream did not continue. The Club had grown up too fast and was not ready for the rigours that awaited it. For the third time in the Clubs history it was relegated.
After a year of consolidation in National Two the club had ambitions to move upwards and with the appointment of new full time Director of Rugby this looked possible. However the elusive dream was not in the making and another frustrating and disappointing period resulted in a tough fight to the last game of the season to stay in the league. This was sadly not enough, very much too much effort at a too late a stage.
The following season saw the Club back in National 3 South. The good that this brought was the realisation that the Club had gone back to its roots and appointed local coaches Jamie Turner & Greg Anstead for a locally sought team. To start the season required recruitment of nearly a whole new team, and the coaches rose to the challenge. However, despite their efforts the new team didn't manage to win as many matches as required to maintain status at this level.
The club started the 06-07 Season in South West 1, with home grown experience in players that have come up through the juniors and the ranks of the club. Unfortunately an injury crisis unfolded and the opening 6 fixtures were lost. The members were crying out for a change and the decision was made to appoint Chris Sheasby, ex England, London Irish and Harlequins as player coach. Sheasby's appointment lead to the clubs 1st win on his first weekend in charge! However the club only went on to win 1 more match before Christmas.
The new year dawned, the playing squad was bolstered by the return of several long term injuries and a few new players were recruited which resulted in maintaining the SW1 League status by winning 8 out of 10 matches in the second half of the season. Sheasby and his team also picked up the Berkshire Cup and the 7's team retained the Berkshire Barrel for the 6th consecutive year. The club's 3rd team brought a league title to the club by winning the BBO Division 1 South League.
The club also established an U19's Academy side sponsored by DHL who swept all before them, winning the OBB league at U19 level for the first time in the club's history, the 28th Tournoi Cance in the South of France beating such teams as Toulouse and Stade Francais and finally ended the year as Champions of Berkshire at U19 level.
The 2007/8 season promised much and Bracknell led the South West Div 1 league for much of the season but were eventually seen off by Chinnor the champions and also by Worthing in the promotion play off. Further disappointment was defeat in the semi final of the National Intermediate Cup when the dream of a Twickenham final beckoned. However on the positive side the stable base had been further strengthened and also all of the other Club teams had an excellent season. It is hoped that this will carry forward well into the 2008/9 season.
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