The Abingdon Rugby Union Football Club was officially formed by a local group of enthusiasts in a meeting at the Queens Hotel on 27th February 1931. A full fixture card was drawn-up for the 31-32 playing season and the Club very soon established themselves as a major force in the Home Counties. During the 30’s Abingdon RFC operated from the Queens and would escort their guests the half-mile walk from the Hotel to the Council owned recreation ground at Caldecott Road where the games were played.
Immediately after the war the club moved to outside the RAF camp which offered on-site changing facilities and later to a pitch inside the camp. The games would often progress as Beverly Bombers rolled up and down the adjacent runways. At the outset of the Suez crises however the club was advised that, for security reasons they would have to find an alternative venue and for a while play returned to the Caldecott Road site.
This period saw the formation of the ill-fated Abingdon Sports Club; an amalgamation of the town’s Rugby, Cricket and Hockey clubs and the bid to establish a sporting centre at Hales Meadow. In a short time the ground was developed and a pavilion erected but the organisation was plagued with financial difficulties and very soon dissolved with Hockey disbanding and Abingdon Rugby remaining at the site only as tenants to the Cricket Club.
Thus the situation remained until the mid 80’s when a determined effort was made to acquire grounds and a clubhouse dedicated to Rugby. The project came to fruition when the current base at the town’s Southern Sports Park was officially opened by John Pattern MP in 1989.
Throughout its long history Abingdon has contributed much to the game, members representing the county, progressing to first-class level and also on to international status in the Five Nations Tournament.
The Abingdon Sevens traditionally opens the Home Counties’ playing season and has attracted sides from throughout the Country and beyond. Initiated in 1956 as a one-off tournament to celebrate the town’s 400th anniversary of receiving a Royal Charter, it proved so successful that the decision was made to retain the competition on an annual basis and as such we therefore hold the claim to hosting the longest running club Sevens in England.
Several years ago an attempt was made to introduce the youngsters of Abingdon to Club Rugby. From humble beginnings has grown an organisation of some 150 playing members which is amongst the leaders in Youth Rugby development. Ages range from the Micros right through Mini and Junior levels to compliment the three Senior sides currently representing the town.
Abingdon RFC is justifiably proud of its past and the role it currently plays providing opportunity at grass-roots level in a sport which has seen many recent changes. It views the future with enthusiasm as it builds on the long established platform and looks forward to reaping the rewards of the efforts of those committed to promoting local Rugby.