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When the Rugby Club was founded in 1949, Chipping Sodbury, like many similar market towns was recovering from the Second World War. There was National Service and the Grammar School that opened in 1939 was being expanded. Local industries were thriving. The Quarry was supplying materials for new roads and building projects. Newman's Industries and Parnalls (Later Jacksons) were not manufacturing for the war anymore but for the future. At this time, a group of gentlemen drinking in the Grapes Hotel discovered they had a similar hobby and formed Chipping Sodbury Rugby Football Club. The first games were played on the Grammar School playing field, which was then in Hatters Lane. The changing room was the back room of the Grapes, which was also the clubhouse. These were the days of brown leather rugger balls and boots with leather studs. The inaugural 2nd team game was played in 1958 though games were not at first on a regular basis. The club needed to expand and desperately needed a suitable ground. This was the time to move to the Ridings. An old barn was converted by putting doors in one end and a large concrete bath at the other. The heating system was a large outside water tank with by a log fire underneath, which was lit at about 12 noon every Saturday. Lit too early or too late and the water was cold, having either cooled down or not warmed up. The early 60's saw many more players available as a result of a new housing estate being developed nearby, namely Stanshawes. In addition, there were now two schools, Chipping Sodbury Grammar and King Edmunds. Chipping Sodbury RFC was now playing against clubs such as Bath, Cheltenham, Old Reds and Cleeve. When the Severn Bridge was finished the opposition also included Newport, Caerphilly and other valley teams. Similarly, many Welshmen joined Chipping Sodbury to play rugby as many of them had moved to live and work in the area. Regular tours included the Cardiff area and also Windsor Rugby Club on International days. Meanwhile, it became apparent that the old barn was no longer large enough. A "proper" clubhouse was desperately needed. A concrete slab was laid at the Ridings and the following year an ex RAF hut from Colerne was erected. Sadly, it was later destroyed by a fire. Two years later a Marley building took its place. Although only temporary, it is still the clubhouse today. A lot of the 60's success was due to Harry Price (Chairman). He greatly inspired the team and his touchline encouragement was a major driving force. His office (he was the local Bank Manager) was where committee meetings were held. He was the inspiration behind bath time hot water and the ex RAF Hut Club House. He was also responsible for retaining several of his fellow Welsh countrymen at Chipping Sodbury RFC. Junior rugby started in the 70's with success at colts and junior 16-18 levels. One of our most successful Juniors, Richard Jardine, joined Chipping Sodbury RFC and played 1st Team rugby at 14 years of age. He went on to earn a Gloucestershire County Cap at the age of 19. Richard had three brothers, all of them playing for Chipping Sodbury. Many a game was played with at least three of them in the same team. The club today has a junior membership in excess of 200. Also during the 70's, floodlights were erected and floodlit rugby was played twice a week on mid week evenings. Unfortunately these lights blew down during storms in 1991. Their full redevelopment, however, is expected to be completed by the end of 2004. With the 80's came Ladies Rugby and Mini (Juniors - Boys and girls) Rugby. Initially these were something of a shock to the then traditional 'male' rugby club. Chipping Sodbury is now a fully integrated family club with all the family playing, coaching or helping out on a match day. Many competitions and tournaments have been won by Chipping Sodbury RFC. The now famous Gloucester League Division 2 and Whitbread Bristol Combination Cup double in 1998 is the club's highest achievement to date. The Club also benefits from additional changing rooms built in 2001, the result of a major fundraising programme led by a former Club captain, John Broad. In the early years, the Portcullis offered shirts to the club and the Portcullis logo has become a common sight in the area, embroidered on many leisure wear garments which are available from the club shop. Fifty-five years have passed since the early days of meeting in the back room of a pub. The club now boasts four playing pitches, one training pitch, floodlit training, a comfortable clubhouse and extensive changing facilities |