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WELCOME TO SLOUGH RUGBY CLUB
The decision to park almost a quarter of a million surplus military vehicles in Slough at the end of the First World War contributed greatly to the formation of Slough Rugby Club. For as Slough Trading Estate changed from military to civilian manufacturing in the mid-20's the workforce was mainly formed by Welsh migrants who walked to Slough from the Valleys in search of work!
By 1928, deprived of their national game, the Welsh contingent had been instrumental in forming the Slough club. The Welsh connection is borne out by early fixtures against numerous Welsh regiments with connections to nearby Windsor Castle or the London Barracks.
After three different sites, and becoming anglicised in the process, the club moved to its present location, with Windsor Castle as a picturesque backdrop, in 1952. The efforts of the then Chairman, Ken Tamblyn, in securing the site, see today's ground bear his name.
The clubhouse was added in 1956 and opened by The Duke of Edinburgh. Although significantly expanded and enhanced over the years, the main hall and bar are contained within the original structure.
Former players of note include England Trialists Brian Adam and Freddie Hawkins, Wales and Commonwealth Games sprinter Terry Davies. The first two found fame with the Wasps club and Terry, previously with Llanelli went on to London Welsh. The most successful export though has been Wasps and England loosehead prop Paul Rendall, who won 27 caps despite not being capped until he was 34! Despite moving on to coach neighbours Bracknell, "The Judge's" close ties with the club continue, and his son, a Buckinghamshire Under-21 cap, plays for Slough in the senior side. We would add that we can boast a Ladies international ex-Slough player, her name is Ann O'Flynn, who went on to play for Richmond and Waterloo. As an army vet, she now plays for Henley Ladies, time allowing.
With the distinction of being the farthest east club in the South West Division, two promotions and a relegation have seen the club in the Southern Counties League for all but two seasons since leagues began. A poor 1995/96 season meant missing the chance to take advantage of restructuring of the South West Division and continued poor form in the 1996/97 season resulted in Slough's narrow avoidance of relegation but meant inclusion in the RFU's Junior competition for the first time.
A restructuring of the playing side of the club resulted in the return of former coach and Wasps 1st team captain Gareth Morgan as Director of Rugby and the rest, as they say is history. The Southern Counties North Championship was secured as early as 28 March 1998 with three games still to play and the club are now playing South West League 2 East rugby.
Things have moved on more recently with the arrival of Paul Rendall as Head Coach and with Danny Rendall as Team Captain, they make a formidable teams for 2005/6.
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