Back
History 1 of 3
1. History 1
In the Beginning
The Clubs first match was as an inter-pub challenge, being the Blacksmiths Arms of Cosby against the George and Dragon from Broughton Astley. This was played at the Vipers ground in Blaby. The rest of that season saw six more games. During the 1989-90 season a regular Sunday fixture list was established against various local clubs. These sides usually consisted of regular Saturday Club players for example, The Freemans Arms, on Welford Road, Leicester, drew mainly on players from the West Leicester Club, The ancient Order of Foresters being based around Braunstone Town RFC and the New Parks Club, while South Wigston mainly consisted of players from the Wigston Club. It is interesting to note that none of this clubs (Sunday or Saturday) survive today. The final game of the season was played against Walkers Crisps, in aid of the Cope charity. Fund raising took place in the build up to the game, with collection by bucket being made at pitch-side. After the match the Walkers Captain presented the charity with a cheque for £1000. The first person elected as Club Captain was Clive Elliott during season 1989/90; previously the role had been decided upon on a match to match basis. During the inaugural Annual General Meeting Dr Ian Russell (Gus to everyone), became President a position he held until his death in March 2004, other people fulfilling roles for the new club, where Haydn Evans-Hughes as Hon. Treasurer and Kevin Underwood as vice-captain. The meeting also voted into place a constitution, as well as deciding the club colours (Black, Red and White). The club badge stems from this meeting, the Red Griffin (not a dragon), rampant. This heraldic device was the head crest for the Cosby Family, although it is unknown if the Cosby Family had any ties with the village, their lands mainly being situated in Lincolnshire and Norfolk, romantically maybe so. The rugby ball it is carrying was obviously, an addition by the club. The motto 'Audaces Fortuna Juvata'is Latin for 'Fortune Favours the Brave'. Surely, a fittingly stirring motto for a club starting out in the world of rugby. During the Sunday years the club played its home games at the Wigston RFC ground at Countersthorpe. Playing Kit was initially a problem; early photographs show the club playing in red, white and green hoops, no not borrowed from the Leicester Tigers, but from close neighbours Lutterworth RFC. Lutterworth had many years before also obliged the Tigers. After the second season, Dave Marshall who went onto Captain the Club provided the first AllBlack shirts, resulting in the nickname of the All Blackies,(after the pub).
The Clubs first match was as an inter-pub challenge, being the Blacksmiths Arms of Cosby against the George and Dragon from Broughton Astley. This was played at the Vipers ground in Blaby. The rest of that season saw six more games. During the 1989-90 season a regular Sunday fixture list was established against various local clubs. These sides usually consisted of regular Saturday Club players for example, The Freemans Arms, on Welford Road, Leicester, drew mainly on players from the West Leicester Club, The ancient Order of Foresters being based around Braunstone Town RFC and the New Parks Club, while South Wigston mainly consisted of players from the Wigston Club. It is interesting to note that none of this clubs (Sunday or Saturday) survive today. The final game of the season was played against Walkers Crisps, in aid of the Cope charity. Fund raising took place in the build up to the game, with collection by bucket being made at pitch-side. After the match the Walkers Captain presented the charity with a cheque for £1000. The first person elected as Club Captain was Clive Elliott during season 1989/90; previously the role had been decided upon on a match to match basis. During the inaugural Annual General Meeting Dr Ian Russell (Gus to everyone), became President a position he held until his death in March 2004, other people fulfilling roles for the new club, where Haydn Evans-Hughes as Hon. Treasurer and Kevin Underwood as vice-captain. The meeting also voted into place a constitution, as well as deciding the club colours (Black, Red and White). The club badge stems from this meeting, the Red Griffin (not a dragon), rampant. This heraldic device was the head crest for the Cosby Family, although it is unknown if the Cosby Family had any ties with the village, their lands mainly being situated in Lincolnshire and Norfolk, romantically maybe so. The rugby ball it is carrying was obviously, an addition by the club. The motto 'Audaces Fortuna Juvata'is Latin for 'Fortune Favours the Brave'. Surely, a fittingly stirring motto for a club starting out in the world of rugby. During the Sunday years the club played its home games at the Wigston RFC ground at Countersthorpe. Playing Kit was initially a problem; early photographs show the club playing in red, white and green hoops, no not borrowed from the Leicester Tigers, but from close neighbours Lutterworth RFC. Lutterworth had many years before also obliged the Tigers. After the second season, Dave Marshall who went onto Captain the Club provided the first AllBlack shirts, resulting in the nickname of the All Blackies,(after the pub).