History
Combe Down Rugby Football Club
The club was founded in 1896. No records exist of the circumstances regarding the club's founding, or who the moving spirits were behind its inception, but photographs showing the early teams, together with their playing records show that rugby on Combe Down was adopted with enthusiasm and played with instinctive ability.
The original team in jerseys of chocolate and gold played its first season on the Firs Field. Subsequent years saw the Club, with its colours changed to black and amber, playing on various fields on Combe Down from the Monument field to the water tank. A red letter day in the club's history came in 1957 when a long-held ambition was realized and the club was able to buy the ground at Holly's Corner which it had tenanted since 1922.
As the grounds were changed so were the headquarters and from the one time Church Rooms in Tyning Road they moved to the headquarters on Firs Field and to the King William IV. Finally the club became proud possessors of their own headquarters which were erected on the ground, and on April 4th 1966, The Combe Down R.F.C. Club house was officially opened by Alec Lewis, the old Bath F.C. international.
To mark the occasion the Club played a match against Brendan Perry's Bristol XV which contained many illustrious names.
A second XV was first formed many years ago but had an interrupted existence until 1947 since when it has proved a consistently successful combination. A third XV was formed in 1968, also a Colts XV was formed in the 1974/75 season. Mini rugby became established at the start of 1980.
Combe Down celebrated its 100th Anniversary during 1996/97.
While it is recognized that the game is greater than winning the game, achievements of the 1st XV in remaining unbeaten at home from 1928 - 1934, the unbeaten series of 29 victories in 1975/76 must be recognised.
The latter record was beaten during the 1983/84 season. For the first time a record 1,048 points and 32 victories were recorded.
In seasons 1984/85 and 1989/90 the Club won the Bath Combination 1st XV Cup. In the season 1988/89 a double was achieved, winning both the Bath Combination 1st XV and 2nd XV Cups. In the season of 1990/91 a unique treble was achieved by winning the Somerset Cup, Bath Combination Cup and the Western Counties League.
The Club badge with its motto "Summus in Summo" (We are on the top), is as much an encouragement to endeavour as a description of the Club's geographical position.
The club was founded in 1896. No records exist of the circumstances regarding the club's founding, or who the moving spirits were behind its inception, but photographs showing the early teams, together with their playing records show that rugby on Combe Down was adopted with enthusiasm and played with instinctive ability.
The original team in jerseys of chocolate and gold played its first season on the Firs Field. Subsequent years saw the Club, with its colours changed to black and amber, playing on various fields on Combe Down from the Monument field to the water tank. A red letter day in the club's history came in 1957 when a long-held ambition was realized and the club was able to buy the ground at Holly's Corner which it had tenanted since 1922.
As the grounds were changed so were the headquarters and from the one time Church Rooms in Tyning Road they moved to the headquarters on Firs Field and to the King William IV. Finally the club became proud possessors of their own headquarters which were erected on the ground, and on April 4th 1966, The Combe Down R.F.C. Club house was officially opened by Alec Lewis, the old Bath F.C. international.
To mark the occasion the Club played a match against Brendan Perry's Bristol XV which contained many illustrious names.
A second XV was first formed many years ago but had an interrupted existence until 1947 since when it has proved a consistently successful combination. A third XV was formed in 1968, also a Colts XV was formed in the 1974/75 season. Mini rugby became established at the start of 1980.
Combe Down celebrated its 100th Anniversary during 1996/97.
While it is recognized that the game is greater than winning the game, achievements of the 1st XV in remaining unbeaten at home from 1928 - 1934, the unbeaten series of 29 victories in 1975/76 must be recognised.
The latter record was beaten during the 1983/84 season. For the first time a record 1,048 points and 32 victories were recorded.
In seasons 1984/85 and 1989/90 the Club won the Bath Combination 1st XV Cup. In the season 1988/89 a double was achieved, winning both the Bath Combination 1st XV and 2nd XV Cups. In the season of 1990/91 a unique treble was achieved by winning the Somerset Cup, Bath Combination Cup and the Western Counties League.
The Club badge with its motto "Summus in Summo" (We are on the top), is as much an encouragement to endeavour as a description of the Club's geographical position.
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