About Us

The club initially rented grounds in St Alban’s Road and used the local swimming baths in Castleford Road as their changing rooms. After one year, they moved to Home Farm, Merstham, where they rented a pitch on a hill a mile from the changing facilities (The Feathers pub). They shared the pitch with cows, and a shovel was essential for the groundsman.

Afterwards, the club moved to The Jolliffe Arms (A23 bottom of Shepherd’s Hill). Here, 30 players shared one ordinary domestic bath and two galvanised baths. Due to the distance to the pitch, car owners were rumoured to be assured a spot in the 1st XV.

The club’s first game resulted in a 50-0 defeat against the old Crawley Club. However, they achieved their first win by beating the Grammar School 17-3. The following season, Dorking RFC sponsored ORRFC’s application for affiliation to the RFU and a long competitive relationship between the clubs began.

Dorking RFC has been the only team on the club’s fixture lists since the beginning. The annual Boxing Day match was replaced by an Under-21 Christmas Eve match in the early 2000s. Today, the local rivals compete for the Ben Regan Cup every year.

Norman Holt was a key figure in the club’s development. He served as Club Secretary for 45 years and was instrumental in gaining RFU affiliation. His efforts were crucial in securing the club’s grounds in Park Lane. The club’s Memorial Fireplace, created in honour of members lost in World War 2, now holds a place of pride in the Clubhouse Holt Room.

When the move to Park Lane happened, rugby resumed, and ORRFC started playing again in the 1946-47 season. Arthur Rank allowed the use of his land, and the Public Baths became the changing rooms once more. Post-match tea was held in the old NALGO canteen in Nissan huts behind the Town Hall. Players would wait a couple of hours before opening time at The White Hart on Church Street. The Club was able to field two teams for the season, and membership grew in the following years.

By 1951, the half-acre site had been leased from Arthur Rank, and the construction of the Pavilion clubhouse in Park Lane began. Using members’ labour, changing rooms with a plunge bath and showers, as well as a new bar, were installed. The Club now had its permanent home!

Geoffrey Knight, another founder member, was the Club Chairman for 21 years after the war. He played a major part in the acquisition and building of the Pavilion. By the time of the 50th anniversary in 1977, he was still Secretary of the Pavilion Finance Fund. The Pavilion was officially opened by the President of Surrey RFU, H.R. Frisby, on 18th September 1954. R.E. Prescott, Hon. Secretary of the RFU, brought down a team of distinguished players, including R.V. Stirling, Captain of England.

The land was significantly developed in the following years. In 1955, 7½ acres of land adjoining the Pavilion were purchased, and two full pitches were laid out. By 1960, the Club had its own Tea Room, built by members. In 1970, a further 5½ acres alongside the first two pitches were acquired. The Club could now boast ownership of a first-class Pavilion clubhouse and four pitches, all within a few minutes’ walk of the centre of Reigate.

By the time of the 50th anniversary in 1977, a further and final extension was built by the members. The Pavilion clubhouse now included the original Norman Holt room and extra changing rooms. Life post-war for the Club, as for the country, was financially tough. Fundraising was a vital part of club life. During the fifties and sixties, more than £15,000 came through Club events.

Instigated by the late Eric Smith in 1965, The 150 Club is one of our most important fundraisers and has raised around £250,000! Today, fundraising remains an important element of the working of the Club. Old Reigatian was originally a closed club, open only to old boys of Reigate Grammar School. After WW2, the introduction of associate membership allowed non-old boys to join. However, they would be without voting rights and unable to serve as officers of the club. The Club history has forged a strong relationship with Reigate Grammar School. Today relationships also exist with other local schools, such as Dunottar. These schools provide a stream of players for the Mini, Junior, and Girls sections.

In the 1950s under J.S. Clarke and then A.C. Osbourne, the Club enjoyed considerable playing success. In 1951, only one 1st XV match was lost, which was a defeat by Dorking in the Boxing Day game. During the sixties and seventies, the Club expanded and by 1980 was running six sides, including ‘The Nondescripts’, so named because polite language cannot describe them!

Old Reigatian Rugby Football Club has a rich history. In the mid-1980s, the club made a historic run in the John Player Cup, reaching the 5th round. They played against strong teams like Exeter, Saracens, and Gloucester, attracting national attention.

The club has also participated in significant events like the Middlesex Sevens at Twickenham, providing junior players with the opportunity to compete against major clubs.

In 1990, the RFU introduced a nationwide league system, placing the club in London Two South for eight years before moving to London Three South for another five years.

In 1996, the club opened its membership to all rugby players and social members as they aimed to keep up with the growing town of Reigate. The club’s mini and junior section has been vital for bringing in revenue and grooming future senior players.

In the new millennium, the club faced challenges with player recruitment but eventually saw growth in their mini, junior, and senior sections. They now have two regular senior teams, a Vets side, a strong Under 22 squad,  minis juniors and girls section, walking rugby, touch rugby and senior womens rugby.

The club’s most significant recent development has been the construction of a new Clubhouse, which opened in 2015. This facility, alongside the 12-acre field, showcases ORRFC as a club to be proud of!