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Bath Saracens Club History
The actual inaugural date for the establishment of the Bath Civil Service RFC (now Bath Saracens RFC) is now lost in the annuls of time and myth.
However the club did gradually evolve from the transfer of staff during the second world war from Admiralty, Whitehall, to HQ departments in Bath, the establishment of hostels in Bath for staff moving from the Royal Dockyards etc, and the famous (or in-famous) "Anchor Club" in Pultney Street.
What is certain is that the club was formed on a permanent basis in 1947, concurrent with the formation of the Civil Service Sports Association (Bath Area). The club house was located in a large prefabricated hut at Norwood (now Bath University). Compared with today the facilities could be described as somewhat primitive, but luxuriant when compared with some opposition clubs which comprised a single tin bath for 15 players, usually in the back of a pub.
In the 60' s and 70' s membership of the club was very transient with as much as 30% turnover in one year. During the late 60's the peak was the running of four teams but within three years it was down to just one. Arranging fixtures for a year ahead was a real headache.
A major problem with Norwood was that there was only one pitch so playing one game after another on the same day was unusual. Then came the transfer from Norwood to Claverton Down (the current home) which gave two pitches. During the 80's the club peaked again with three sides and with a larger number of players being non civil servants some stability in the playing strength was achieved.
With this swing in emphasis it was decided in 1992 to change the name to Bath Saracens RFC and therefore indicate a more open club, but to retain the link with the CS rugby Football Union and civil service in general. With the introduction of leagues in the 90's a more stable fixture list was introduced which continues today.
During the history of the club a big feature has been the success of the social side. It is primarily a club run by players without too much interference from "tradition" so social events have and still are somewhat informal and casual. Tours are of course a major annual happening!
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Visit Bath Saracens website
The Bath Saracens's website can be viewed at http://www.bathsaracens.co.uk.
These web pages give details of all our fixtures and social events and a history of our club, and is regularly updated.
Please drop by and have a look.
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