Kenilworth Rugby Football Club
Tel: 01926 853945
Pitches: Glasshouse Lane, Kenilworth and Rocky Lane, Kenilworth
Kenilworth Rugby Football Club was founded in 1924 and moved to their current ground in Glasshouse Lane, Kenilworth in 1947. This is the 85th anniversary season and this is to be marked by a special dinner later in the year. A full history of the club has been written by member Mick Wheatley and is now available from behind the bar.
The club currently play in Midlands One, level 5 in the RFU structure and generally run three senior sides and a colts. There is a thriving minis and juniors section through all age groups and this section has continued to supply a steady stream of talent not only to Kenilworth but to other local junior and senior clubs.
The club currently own the lease on 16 acres of land further down Glasshouse Lane and away from our current first team pitch and clubhouse. The club was successful in obtaining Lottery money which, together with funds raised by club members, was used to create four new pitches, one with floodlights. These pitches have been in use since September 2003. The final re-location of the club however will only become possible once the sale of the existing first team pitch and clubhouse is realised. Recent announcements from Warwick DC for the need for houses within the district has given renewed hope that this dream may be fulfilled ’soon’ and we were advised in May 09 that it has been recommended that our land, both the first XV pitch and clubhouse and the 16 acre Cow Patch will be available for development from 2016. The club is now looking for a new site within Kenilworth.
A particular feature of the club is its very strong social side and the club bar is open six days of the week and a warm friendly welcome is always available. In the past few years the club has been very successful in attracting a number of Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans and these players have helped improve the status of Kenilworth RFC both on and off the field.
Club Journey
The club were always deemed to be a strong “town” side and early fixtures were predominantly against similar “town sides” who now generally reside in the National Leagues. The ‘town’ fixture list was taken to the extreme when a fixture was offered against Cardiff 2nds at the Arms Park in return for the hospitality offered to them following ar visit to Coventry, but the fixture was turned down, ‘we only play town sides’. In the late 80’s and 90’s the club was in serious decline and a bold decision was taken to appoint Steve Brain, the ex England International hooker, as player/coach. A mission statement was formed “to make Kenilworth RFC the most successful Junior Club in Warwickshire by the year 2000.” The subsequent success both on and off the field was phenomenal and Kenilworth were promoted consistently over a seven year period to level 5, Midlands 1 Division, which was only one level below National League, the ultimate aim. Following a run of defeats and low morale in 1999 Steve Brain resigned his position and the club looked to its senior players and existing coaches to see us through a relegation scare. The following season saw the appointment of Huw Duggan, a former Bristol player who extended the good work of Steve Brain by finishing fifth in Midlands 1 at the end of the 2001/2002 season.
The good work was not extended into season 2002/2003 when a rather depressing season ended with relegation back to Midlands 2 West, level 6. Seasons 03/04 to 05/06 saw us remaining in Midlands 2 west. However a superb season in 2006/2007 saw a return to Midlands 1 as champions - our first ever trophy at first XV level. Season 07-08 in Midlands 1 did not start too well and the club was under prepared and lost its first five league games. However some crucial signings and players returning from injury saw us quickly move up the table to secure a place in Midlands I for this season, albeit on the last day.
Last season, 08/09, proved to be our best ever and instead of having to win the last game of the season to stay in the league we had the opportunity of a play off spot. However a defeat by Luctonians saw off these hopes and an eventual fourth place was achieved. Once again our Warwickshire Cup homes were dashed by Broadstreet in a semi final and our second XV lost their Warwickshire Second XV Cup, losing out to Nuneaton Old Eds in extra time in the final. Our second and third XV league debuts were disappointing, to say the least.
At the start of the 2009/2010 season it is hoped to run three senior sides (first to thirds) with an occasional fourth XV. It has always been the club’s ambition to play National league rugby and this season we find ourselves in National League 3, Midlands, really the same league as last year! Two colts XV’s are planned and they will play in local league and cup and national cup competitions. The club is represented at all levels throughout the minis and juniors section and this section has grown dramatically over the past few years. The minis and juniors section were instrumental in the club achieving the RFU Seal of Approval in 2005.
The club run a large very successful “Former Players Association” started by the late Jack Davies and who meet regularly throughout the year at home and away pre match lunches. Details of this sub section can be obtained from Pete Boyle on 0780 1914 833
