Club History - About Us
Lankelly was founded in 1968 by the late John Biggs who earlier founded Bude RFC when he came to Cornwall from Bristol.
The Lankelly club was formed at a meeting in the kitchen of his farmhouse. He became the first Chairman and his son Chris played in the first match and is now our illustrious president.
The Safe Harbour at Fowey became the first headquaters until 1981 when the Royal at Par took over. A move back to Fowey and the Penlee Hotel in 1984 coincided with the name change to Lankelly-Fowey RFC to associate more closely with the town.
In 1986 - 87 the Fowey side had its best ever season winning the Cornwall Junior Group Division Three Merit Table and the following season were champions of the new Cornwall League Division Two and were promoted to Division One. They were relegated after one season and have remained in Cornwall League Division Two ever since.
In 1989 the King of Prussia became the new headquarters. From 2000 to 2014 the Galleon Inn was Lankelly's home pub and in the 2015/16 season we were able to use our clubhouse bar.
Lankelly-Fowey celebrated their 25th anniversary in 1993 with a game against the Cornwall President's XV and the same year purchased their ground at Lankelly Farm.
The beginning of the 2004/05 season saw the formation of our mini/ junior section. This has resulted in a huge boost in the numbers of players of all ages and hugely supportive members.
The highlight of the 2006/07 season was the winning of the East Cornwall Merit table, the first silver ware for almost twenty years!
During 2007/08 the seniors turned out a 1st, 2nd and Veteran team whilst the junior section fielded 6 age group sides.
The 2008/09 season was the 40th anniversary of the club and in terms of playing numbers, Lankelly Fowey had never been stronger.
2009/10 saw the youth section going from strength to strength, competing well accross age groups. The senior side had a rebuilding season, recruiting players from a range of backgrounds and experiences. Our veteran contingent have been seeing increasing action accross the county.
2010/11: 9 youth teams, a core of senior players and a commitment to welcoming, enjoyable rugby for all. All junior age groups reached at least the semi-finals of their respective age group competetions/tournaments.
The 1st XV struggled to maintain a full side, but remained committed to turning out to play rugby in the proper sprit of the game and won both plaudits from all concerned and the "You've Earned It" trophy from the CRFU & league sponsors St. Austell Brewery for our hard work in adversity.
2011/12: The rearranged Tribute Cornwall 2 league offered a series of good competitive fixtures for the 1st XV while the juniors continued to perform in friendlies and festivals alike.
2012/13: 10 highly competitive youth teams and a friendly, player-led senior section competing in an expanded league campaign. Coordinating our playing membership, club events and limited resources is being shared by an increasingly diverse body of volunteers.
2013/14: The senior section becomes much more competitive under new coach, Harvey Jones. Events such as the Beach Tag day on Par beach and training camps supported by the Cornish Pirates and Royal Marines are very successful.
2014/15: Under Dave Banks, we launch a colts team seeing a number of former junior players return to their rugby roots. Mini and Midi teams go from strength to strength although some older age groups are combined to ensure rugby for all.
New players, coaches and volunteers are always welcome.