BEAR HISTORY
Walsall Rugby Football Club was established in 1922 when a group of “distinguished but moderate boozers” who drank at the Conservative club, decided it was time the town had a rugby club of its own as they had found a mutual bond of passion for the game. They decided to place an advertisement for players in the Walsall Observer inviting interested parties to meet in the local Stork Hotel at 7.30pm on 13th April. The meeting was attended by 33 enthusiasts who unanimously resolved to found the club. It was decided the club colours would be scarlet jerseys and navy-blue knickerbockers and that playing members would pay five shillings per annum.
In 1922 the home ground was a plot of land on what is now the corner of Birmingham Road and Broadway North approached by a path through what is now Parklands Gardens. Players changed and bathed at the Wheatsheaf pub and training included a run to Barr Beacon and back. The first game was away at Worlds End Road against Handsworth on 23rd September and we were victorious, winning 13-9.
Matches were advertised in the town and a sandwich board man was employed in the town to attract spectators at sixpence each. More than 60 playing members were recruited and a second XV was fielded on 7th October 1922.
Attempts to lure QMGS away from the round ball game began as early as 1923 when the club made the ground available during the Easter holidays for school boys to practice. It wasn’t until 1932 that rugby became the school’s official winter sport, thus providing the club with a steady stream of old boy talent.
In 1928/29 Walsall RFC moved to the White Hart Inn in Walhouse Road whilst match day changing and bathing switched to Walsall swimming baths. In 1931 the original playing pitch was needed for redevelopment and the club took a lease on its present ground in Delves Road.
Following the war a fundraising concert was put on and from the funds the stand was purchased from Bloxwich Strollers FC for £210. The bar and changing facilities were provided by the shell of an ex-War Department building. Despite three subsequent facelifts the original building is still there! The Clubhouse was officially opened on 1st April 1950 and HQ was moved from the white Hart to our own Clubhouse.
On the fields of play between 1953 and 1965 the first team won 266 and drew 43 of its 414 games and during that time 11 players represented the North Midlands. By 1961 we were fielding 5 teams a week and all were enjoying success.
In 1988/89 ten straight wins in midlands Division 1 gained Walsall promotion to National League level. After five seasons of consolidation the 1994/95 season provided the ‘season of seasons’ with further promotion as champions of National Division 5 North, a unique Staffordshire Grand Slam of Senior cup, Senior sevens, Colts Cup and Colts sevens titles.
Since our 75th Anniversary we have seen great changes in our fortunes and the nature of the game. We field three senior sides these days, along with U18 Colts and sides through all the age groups. The First Team finished in second position in 2021/2022 and gained promotion to Level 6 rugby in Regional 2 West Midlands league for 2022/23.
The growth of girls’ and women’s rugby, the continuing development of mini/junior rugby and participation in social touch rugby have all been encouraging features of the 21st century. Colts rugby has been with us at Walsall for 60 years now and it has been a crucial feed to the senior tams. The Mini/Juniors celebrate 50 years of existence whist women’s and social rugby feature in the last decade. We owe much to ‘alix Tylor and nick rose respectively for these latter developments
The most revealing statistic is that the club gained promotion with a team comprised almost entirely of players who had come through our mini/Junior section, which is now the foundation of our playing strength. When Jason Gregory founded the section all those years ago little did he know how important it was to be for th future of the rugby for the town. And so we are looking forward to our players of whatever age, gender or stage writing the future of our club.
Staffordshire Cup winners:- 1976/7, 1977/8, 1979/80, 1980/1, 1981/2, l993/4, 1994/5, 1998/9, 2001/2 and 2002/3
Courage League Champions: Midlands Division One - 1988/89
National Division Five North - 1994/95
Midland Junior Cup Champions - 1976 Amsterdam Sevens Tournament Champions:- 1972 and 1973
