The history of Wimbledon RFC
Founding member of the Rugby Football Union
Wimbledon’s first recorded match was against Richmond in November 1865, making the club one of the oldest in the country, and one of just twelve surviving clubs that founded the RFU in 1871. The club’s then captain, L.J. Maton, drafted the first laws of the game and went on to become the third president of the RFU in 1875. Also that year two club members, the brothers J.D. and H.J.Graham, gained one and four caps respectively for England .
The club played on Wimbledon Common until World War 1, using the Rose & Crown in Wimbledon Village as changing rooms and clubhouse.
More recently
The club’s move to its current clubhouse in Barham Road , off Copse Hill, coincided with the launch of league rugby in Britain in 1987/88. Both events have benefited the club considerably.
After being placed, somewhat arbitrarily, in Surrey 2 in the first year of the leagues, Wimbledon began its rise through them:
- 1989/92 - Surrey 2.
- 1992/93 - Winners of Surrey 2.
- 1993/94 - Winners of Surrey 1.
- 1994/95 - Winners of London League 3 South West.
- 1995/96 - Winners of London 2 South. (With 26 consecutive league wins on the way).
- 1996/99 - London League 1
- 1999/00 - Although coming back strongly after an appalling start to the season (9 straight defeats), finished 6th from bottom in London 1 and, due to the re-structuring of the leagues, were relegated.
- 2000/05 - London 2 South.
- 2005/06 - The club was moved to London 2 North.
- 2006/07 - Back in London 2 South and looking for promotion.
- 2007/08 - Club moved to London 3 South West
- 2008/09 - 1st XV promoted into London South 1
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