a
THe
History of the Isle Of Wight Rugby
Football Club
a
The
Early Years
The early records have disappeared
in the mists of time but fortunately
the memories of our older members are
of greater durability. It all began
at Ryde in 1924 when Captain J.R. Mason,
a retired army officer and great enthusiast
for the game brought the Club into
existence. He was, by all accounts
a forceful character and ran the Club
virtually single-handed (Must be a
relation of Roy Jones then!) although
valuable help was given by Captain
Johnstone the headmaster of Apply School,
and Mr. Mayes who was the first proper
Club Captain.
The first ground was at Westridge
Cross, Ryde and the first opponents
were Fareham, now known as Gosport
and Fareham. The club played in red
shirts with a gold band (Lovely!).
Even in those days however, the nomadic
streak in the club was evident and
a good deal of wandering between one
ground and another ended in 1928 at
Nine Acres Recreation Ground, Newport.
This was to be the first of many visits
the Club were to pay to this venue
but in 1938 there was the added bonus
of changing rooms at the local pub.
It was at this stage that Captain
Mason finally decided that he had had
enough of his single-handed struggle
to run the club and withdrew from the
organisation, a move that in turn brought
about the first lapse in the clubs
history.
The
Early Years :: 1930's :: Post
War Years :: Grounds
and Headquarters :: Playing
Development :: Past Officers
