BackHistory
After a half century of rugby and still going strong, Dowty Rugby Football Club have endured many highs and lows in its 50 year history.
In 1961 factory sides from Arle Court and Rotol merged to form Dowty RFC. Based at the Staverton Clubhouse, Dowty had strong beginnings playing teams from all over the South of England and Wales. With workers from both factory sites able to play, Dowty’s grew throughout the 60’s and 70’s running up to four teams on a regular basis.
In 1976 Dowty RFC moved out of the main Sports and Social Clubhouse into their own private facility on the Staverton grounds, which had been converted by many of the players from the club.
Ran by the players for the players Dowty’s new clubhouse soon became a well known as a great social venue by other clubs across the region and teams would often call in on route home for a drink or two.
Known as “The Green Hut” this would be the home of Dowty for the next 25 years.
The early 80’s saw Dowty continue strongly, but with growth of clubs located closer to the City in more suburban areas playing numbers did slowly dwindle.
The late 80’s saw the introduction of the formal league rugby. Although still running three sides Dowty’s 1st XV entered the leagues, but laws governing league matches often meant that players would be recruited from the 2nd and 3rd XV’s leaving these teams short.
During this time player numbers rapidly decreased and in 1991 an Extraordinary General Meeting was called by the committee to help save the club.
It was decided that only two sides would continue, but Dowty would continue with league rugby into the late 90’s.
With number still going down, the club was forced to lose another side and Dowty pulled out from the leagues in 2000-01, going back to their roots and continuing to play rugby as a social side.
The 2003/04 season saw the end of an era for Dowty, forced to shutdown their clubhouse and relocate back to the main facility at Staverton.
Then, following several seasons of turmoil when availability of players some weeks reached as low as eight, the committee came to a decision during the 2006/07 season which would see the club move from their home ground of 40 years to Plock Court.
Drastic measures can often lead to brighter things and Dowty soon realised that they made the right move as new players began to arrive.
Building a solid player base Dowty’s entered into the Merit Table Competition and in 2008/09 finished 2nd behind Tewkesbury 3rd XV.
With confidence high, players wanted to rejoin the official league system and did so the following season.
However, this proved to be a step to far as Dowty struggled, often having to cancel fixtures as they could not comply with the league match regulations.
Towards the end of the 2009/10 season a rift was forming and the committee took action, taking a core of players with them who just wanted to enjoy the social rugby scene.
The move to Longlevens RFC on Longford Lane has again proved to be successful, Dowty have settled well into their new home and remain there today. With the increase in “competitive rugby” Dowty have entered into the Gloucestershire Reserve Leagues finishing 4th in 2011-12 season with 24 points
In 1961 factory sides from Arle Court and Rotol merged to form Dowty RFC. Based at the Staverton Clubhouse, Dowty had strong beginnings playing teams from all over the South of England and Wales. With workers from both factory sites able to play, Dowty’s grew throughout the 60’s and 70’s running up to four teams on a regular basis.
In 1976 Dowty RFC moved out of the main Sports and Social Clubhouse into their own private facility on the Staverton grounds, which had been converted by many of the players from the club.
Ran by the players for the players Dowty’s new clubhouse soon became a well known as a great social venue by other clubs across the region and teams would often call in on route home for a drink or two.
Known as “The Green Hut” this would be the home of Dowty for the next 25 years.
The early 80’s saw Dowty continue strongly, but with growth of clubs located closer to the City in more suburban areas playing numbers did slowly dwindle.
The late 80’s saw the introduction of the formal league rugby. Although still running three sides Dowty’s 1st XV entered the leagues, but laws governing league matches often meant that players would be recruited from the 2nd and 3rd XV’s leaving these teams short.
During this time player numbers rapidly decreased and in 1991 an Extraordinary General Meeting was called by the committee to help save the club.
It was decided that only two sides would continue, but Dowty would continue with league rugby into the late 90’s.
With number still going down, the club was forced to lose another side and Dowty pulled out from the leagues in 2000-01, going back to their roots and continuing to play rugby as a social side.
The 2003/04 season saw the end of an era for Dowty, forced to shutdown their clubhouse and relocate back to the main facility at Staverton.
Then, following several seasons of turmoil when availability of players some weeks reached as low as eight, the committee came to a decision during the 2006/07 season which would see the club move from their home ground of 40 years to Plock Court.
Drastic measures can often lead to brighter things and Dowty soon realised that they made the right move as new players began to arrive.
Building a solid player base Dowty’s entered into the Merit Table Competition and in 2008/09 finished 2nd behind Tewkesbury 3rd XV.
With confidence high, players wanted to rejoin the official league system and did so the following season.
However, this proved to be a step to far as Dowty struggled, often having to cancel fixtures as they could not comply with the league match regulations.
Towards the end of the 2009/10 season a rift was forming and the committee took action, taking a core of players with them who just wanted to enjoy the social rugby scene.
The move to Longlevens RFC on Longford Lane has again proved to be successful, Dowty have settled well into their new home and remain there today. With the increase in “competitive rugby” Dowty have entered into the Gloucestershire Reserve Leagues finishing 4th in 2011-12 season with 24 points