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THe History of the Isle Of Wight Rugby Football Club

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Grounds and Headquarters

A study of the club minutes from 1950 up to the 1960s reveals one constant theme throughout, i.e. the anxiety of the club to establish its own identity through ownership of its own ground and headquarters. Whilst a number of sites have been proposed or considered, for reasons of finance, hesitancy and matters beyond Club control these opportunities were lost. This has lead to a pattern of movement that cannot be equalled by any other club in Hampshire.

As mentioned earlier, the Club recommenced activities in 1950 at Ryde Airport, using the Ryde Aero Club as headquarter, this arrangement lasted for four seasons.

The club moved in 1955/56 to Wootton Recreation Ground where their were problems with the siting of the hut required for changing purposes and as a result the club members changed at the Cedars Hotel, about half a mile from the ground.

In 1956/57, there was a move back to Ryde Airport because of the lack of appropriate changing facilities.

In 1960/61 there was a move to Nine Acres Ground at Newport, and in addition an agreement was entered into with the Army for use of a second pitch at Parkhurst.

In 1963/64 the Lakeside Inn at Wootton became the new Headquarters. One pitch was available immediately behind the Lakeside Inn and arrangements were made for use of a second pitch on Wootton Recreation Ground. Drainage problems soon appeared at lakeside and although the Club headquarters were retained at the Inn, During the 1964/65 season matches were played again at Wootton Recreation Ground.

Lakeside was not a popular headquarters which brought about an agreement with Ryde Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club to use there pavilion as the social headquarters during the winter whilst playing on pitches at the Playstreet Lane Recreational Ground just along the road.

In 1969/70 two pitches were obtained at Wootton and once again all matches reverted to this ground. Players still changed at the Tennis Club, however, and a convoy of cars and coaches transported everyone three or four miles to and from the ground.

This situation was understandably not popular with mainland sides and in 1970 it was decided to concentrate all available resources into the provision of permanent changing facilities at Wootton. A twenty-one year lease was negotiated with the Borough Council for the clubhouse site and for one pitch, the Club house was build using a grant from the Department of Education and Science and a great deal of voluntary labour went into the building of the clubhouse and changing facilities which were opened in September 1971 by the president of Hampshire Rugby Football Union.

The Early Years :: 1930's :: Post War Years :: Grounds and Headquarters :: Playing Development :: Past Officers