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Wallasey R.U.F.C began
life as Egremont R.F.C. in June 1926 when it was founded by two Rugby
enthusiasts, M.J.Orme and A.T.B.Rosser.
While Orme
lobbied the Wallasey Corporation for a pitch, Rosser (together with
A.T.Roberts) went in search of players and before long a ground was
obtained at Wallacre Park with changing accommodation in St. George's
School. The first season commenced in September 1926. Sadly, it was less
than successful. Played 21 Won 6 Lost 15. Points for 143 Against 405.
Oldershaw Old Boys put the new boys in their place by beating them 52
points to Nil and Rainhill Mental Hospital recorded a win of 84 points to
3. The following season saw a much brighter picture. Two teams were
fielded and the 1st XV Won 15 Lost 10 and Drew 2. Points For 255 Against
288.
The pre-war
seasons showed steady growth until the season of 1931/32 when a blight
seemed to fall upon the Club with Honorary Secretary Arthur Wardle
recommending that fixtures be sought for one side instead of the usual
three. However the following season saw two teams running and winning more
than they lost. It was during this season that the lease was secured on a
further ground. This was in Bidston, opposite the church, on land owned by
a local farmer. His tendency to forget his obligations and permit cattle
grazing during the week led to some acrimony,
particularly among the players.
The Club celebrated it's 10th
Anniversary in the season 1936/37. Three teams were regularly fielded, the
playing record was reasonable, and the Club bank account was healthy. It
seemed the time for a little self indulgence. The minutes of the time
recall there "was active discussion with the Corporation about the
provision of showers at Wallacre".
The
outbreak of war in 1939 did not bring an immediate close down of the Club
as it did in many other cases across the UK. The Wallacre pitch was lost
but matches continued at Bidston with a depleted membership as the Forces
made their claims. The commencement of the 1940/41 season was only made
possible by a gesture to the War Office from the Honorary Secretary of the
club. He persuaded them to remove the posts and obstructions liberally
planted over the Bidston pitch to deter parachute and glider landings. It
is presumed that he convinced them that he would, personally defend this
chink in our defences. However, the fill season could not be completed and
the Club ceased activities, not to resume until 1946. The first meeting of
the Club after the war took place on 28th June 1946. New President Arthur
Ingram presided over a gathering of twelve members, where he informed them
that both pitches were lost and there was only £19 in the kitty.
Amazingly, by August, the Club was back in business. West Cheshire Golf
Club had suffered badly, its Clubhouse had been totally destroyed. They
hoped to rebuild, but in the meantime, Egremont R.U.F.C. could have the
use of their 18th fairway for a pitch. It was by no means ideal but it was
a start and with the use of the old Wallacre changing facilities the Club
could take on fixtures. Wallacre Park was under the plough as allotments
and seemed likely to remain so for a considerable time and other efforts
to acquire land were unsuccessful. The problem was solved by an agreement
with the Corporation for a pitch on the newly designated Cross Lane
recreation area.
In the midst of attempts to have a pavilion build at
Cross Lane, came a request from the English Rugby Football Union that the
Egremont R.U.F.C. consider a change of name. Confusion had arisen between
the Club and the similarly named one in Cumbria who were considered to
have a prior right to the title. The name was accordingly changed to
Wallasey R.U.F.C. at the Annual General Meeting of 1948.
1949 saw
the first use of the Club Badge consisting of the Wirral Horn of the
Meoles family surmounted by the coronet of the Cheshire coat of
arms.
By 1951 the
Club were running three sides regularly, playing all the local Old Boys
Clubs and the lower sides of the seniors. Success was and remains far from
one hundred percent but a very fair average of victories was and is
recorded. During those years honest endeavour was epitomised in the
encounters with Oldershaw Old Boys. In three successive seasons, six games
in all, not a single point was scored by either side. Hardly spectator
rugby but lacking nothing in excitement for the players.
In 1954 a
much needed loan
of £200 from the Cheshire Rugby Football Union allowed further post-war
reclamation of the Cross Lane site, with a view to acquiring a second
pitch. The dressing room accommodation could now be enlarged, of course
using the unpaid labour of the members. It would here be pertinent to
acknowledge the debt
the Club owes to W. E. (Billy) Buckland. As a member since 1948 and for
many vital years Chairman of the House and Grounds Committee it was his
drive and practical approach to the monumental problems that beset the
Club after the war, which saw them so triumphantly surmounted. The Life
Membership bestowed upon him by the Members and his election as President
for three successive years are honours he earned.
The next milestone
in the Club's history came in 1960 when a second pitch at Cross Lane could
now be used and the invaluable ex Golf Club pitch returned to the
allotment holders. The Club was now running 4 teams and in 1961 (with the
occasional use of the Technical Grammar School pitches) it sometimes
managed to field five.
The area of the Clubhouse was almost doubled in
1962 joining it to a large, pre-fab, second hand structure. The benefit
was immediate. Not only was more changing accommodation made available but
the building lent itself to innumerable social activities which produced
additional income.
Plans for a
more permanent structure took time to mature. Compromise and the
generosity of members, the willingness of guarantors to underwrite the
very favourable loans offered by the Cheshire, English and Middlesex Rugby
Unions coupled with the efforts once again of those inevitable members
working parties, produced the structure that was opened officially by
Martin Curphey, President of Cheshire Rugby Football Union on Sunday, 19th
September 1976.
In the 80's
Club funds were once again growing and under Ken Mort's Presidency,
together with further loans from Middlesex, the R.F.U. and Whitbread the
Club set out to again extend the Clubhouse and improve the facilities.
John Shallcross was elected President in 1986 and while the construction
was underway, also acted as Night watchman. Our Clubhouse is now one of
the finest of all those we visit and the efficient way it is run is a
credit to Committee Members, Bar Staff, Ground Staff and all Club
Members. |
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