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Dunstablians RFC |
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Bedford Road, Dunstable Bedfordshire LU5 6JW UK Main Rugby Club Website Contact Person: Laurence White Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Phone: 01582 866555 In 1927, members of Dunstable Grammar School formed a rugby section, based at Fensomes field in Leagrave. Unfortunately, following the initial commitments, the number of regular players dwindled forcing the closure of the club after only three seasons. mes field in Leagrave. Unfortunately, following the initial commitments, the number of regular players dwindled forcing the closure of the club after only three seasons.In 1948, a small group, B.J. Reason, J. Baker, G Sandiford, J. Hamilton, F. P. Rowe and F. M. Barncroft, made a new start, securing a new ground at French's Avenue. They later moved to Skimpot Lane in Luton, home of the now defunct Ceasar's Palace. In 1954 a great step forward was made when a ground in Bullpond Lane was leased. The opening was marked with a match against an East Midlands invitation XV.In 1957, club members erected the original pavilion using ex-war department huts from Whipsnade Zoo. This became a focal point and enhanced the club's reputation as the only one in the area with its own facilities and easy access. In the sixties, with support from the Dunstable Schools Authorities, it was possible to use the schools facilities for some of the season. With the demise of rugby in schools, and other changes to the school sports programme, these facilities became less readily available. To make up for this, there was much appealing to the council for extra facilities, but to no avail. It was eventually decided to purchase a new ground at Bidwell Hill in Houghton Regis, the club's present site. A new and dynamic committee was formed with the task of raising the funds required to provide Dunstablians with a new home, purpose built facilities and state of the art pitch floodlighting. The bulk of the funds was raised through the sale of the Bull Pond Lane site for a housing development. In September 1985, the Club celebrated the opening of the new clubhouse, which were at the time, the best in the county. The Club hosted an International XV which included six past England Captains to mark the opening, and also hosted matches against an invitation county side and a touring side from Akron USA. The club was officially opened by Hon. Life President John Reason and Alan A. Grimsdell, whose wise words at the ceremony were “bricks and mortar does not make a successful club only results do!†The club standard at that time of change of grounds was rather poor and when the leagues started in 1988 we lost no time in dropping a league. Many stalwarts of the club had other ideas and slowly but slowly the standard started to improve by encouraging former youth members to return to the club. From the mid 1990s the success was evident and another milestone was reached when the committee agreed to employ a professional coach. This coincided with the great teams under the captaincy of Damian Daize and when under coach Colin Jackson culminated in 1999/2000 winning the Intermediate cup at Twickenham. The success continued and in year 2001/2 we played at the highest level ever in the clubs history in Midland One and have attained a fourth position in a league that proves to display a good standard of rugby |
| Date added: 2008-03-07 08:29:25 Hits: 103 |
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