A Message from our New President

Richmond FC is a club with a rich history and a tradition of providing access to rugby for a wide range of players. Last year boys from the age of 5 yrs to the age of 75 yrs played for Richmond teams and our women are also enjoying considerable success playing for the Richmond Women First XV.

One of the notable things about this club is our genuine commitment to the game of Rugby which is regarded, and rightly so, as being even more important than our commitment to the evolving success as we move up through the various divisions.

As the number of schools teaching rugby reduces each year, so our commitment to mini rugby remains steadfast and vital. As the number of senior clubs reduce the number of teams that they turn out each week, so Richmond remain committed to turning out 6 men’s teams and our women’s First XV team has been the top national women’s team for the last 3 years. This we believe is our responsibility and we are committed to continuing this tradition.

Last year we enjoyed great success and were duly promoted to National Division One. This was achieved just 12 years after the Rugby Union had seen fit to take Richmond FC from the Premiership to level 9.  This was a decision that was hard to understand and still does not sit well with many of our club members. It is a measure of the club that throughout this period we have continued to provide mini rugby, 6 men’s teams and women’s rugby with no interruptions.
I joined the club in 1977 and had the good fortune to play for Richmond First XV, Vikings, Saxons and Normans, the Richmond 7s and also represented Surrey, London and England as a Richmond player. I am a Richmond man. I finished my playing career on a tour of Cuba in 2001, with the Richmond Heavies. This was a “punishing” tour both on and off the field and a great way for me to hang up my boots.

Finally Richmond Athletic Ground is a busy and friendly place to be throughout most weekends. We have a healthy following and on Saturdays you will find the bar and the stand are fun places to “hang out”. On Sundays we host about 600 minis and youth, with rugby from 5 yrs upwards. The parents are welcome to stand on the touchline or have a coffee and read the papers. It is a great way to spend Sunday mornings.

I look forward to serving as President and meeting as many of you as I can through the course of this season. It is going to be a lot of fun!

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This week’s topics
First XV first League game RFC v Wharfedale Sat 1st Sept
Pre match lunch
RAA Member Privilege Card
Annual Subscriptions/Season Tickets/Match entrance charges 2012/13
Other Saturday games
Mini/Youth Registration Day Sun 2nd Sept
OPRO mouth guard fitting Sun 9th Sept
Old Albanians v Richmond Sat 8th Sept
Shop News
Travel disruption

First League Game RFC v Wharfedale Saturday 1st September KO 3pm
The season finally kicks off properly this Saturday 1st September when the FIRST XV play their first match in National 1 against new opponents Wharfedale. KO is 3pm so please do come along and give the players the support that they so much appreciate as they start their campaign in level 3. It makes a huge difference and new Captain Will Warden will very much appreciate leading out the team to the Mighty Mond cheer.

Pre match lunch
There are still places for the 3 course pre match lunch but I do need bookings by return please. Due to ever rising costs the caterers have had to increase their charge, and consequently lunch will be £25/head this season, although we are including a programme in the price to ease the pain somewhat.
Our new President Nick Preston will be making his debut and I am sure would welcome the appropriate support.

RAA Member Privilege Card
Not to be confused with your RFC Membership card (see below), as advised last week the RAA is introducing a Member Privilege Card, effective from 1st September.
The card is being made available to any paid up current member of either Richmond or London Scottish and will entitle the member to a discount, currently broadly 10%, off the published bar tariff.
It will be possible to collect the card before Saturday’s game and then load it with funds (minimum £25) at specified tills in the bar, either by cash or debit card. Then all you need to do is get the drinks in!
Terms and conditions can be found here

Annual Subscriptions/Season Tickets/Match entrance charges 2012/13
Membership cards and Season tickets together with our annual newsletter Goalposts, were sent out this week so all that have paid their subs for 2012/13 should have their cards in time for Saturday’s game.
Match entrance has increased for the new season to £6 for Members and £12 for Non Members. Member Students, U21s and all under 16s, as well as serving members of the armed forces go free and Non Member Students, U21s pay £6 on production of a valid Student Card.
Season Tickets are also available to members only and costing £70 (£50 for over 65 years) it gives you 4 games free (rising to 7 games for the over 65s!), so if you intend to be at all RFC home games, then this will definitely save you money. Contact Andrew Gordon on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
If you have not received a card then you know you have not paid your subs and you will be on Mr Gordon’s hit list – you have been warned! To make payment easier, Richmond has finally moved into the digital age allowing you to complete your membership/season ticket application on line and to pay by Direct Debit annually, both of which will make life simpler for you and your club. Click here for further details

Other Saturday games
The VIKINGS are playing Ealing II at home KO 1pm whilst the SAXONS are also at home to Chobham KO 2pm

Mini/Youth Registration Day Sunday 2nd September
On Sunday Mini registration will take place from 9.30am and Youth Registration from 11.45 am.
I would mention that there is also a London Scottish First XV game on Sunday KO at 2pm and as their minis and youth are also starting that day, it will be extremely busy so please do park considerately.
Please may I remind you all at the start of a new season that DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE GROUND, so please do respect this rule.

OPRO mouth guard fitting
The usual OPRO mouth guard fitting will take place next Sunday 9th September from 10am in the Sports Bar.

Old Albanians v Richmond Saturday 8th September
Next Saturday the FIRST XV travel to old friends and rivals Old Albanians KO 3pm.
Travelling supporters are more than welcome to a three course lunch, entry to the match, and a match day programme for £30.00 per head - 12.30 arrival for a 1pm sit down.
To book a place please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call the office 01727 864476  - payment taken up front by debit or credit card or cheque in the post payable to OASC to OA Sport, Woollam Playing Fields, 160 Harpenden Road, St Albans, Herts  AL3 6BB

Shop News
The shop will reopen for the new season on Saturday at 12.30pm until 3pm and then for half an hour after the match. On Sunday we will be open from 9am until about 4pm.
Despite my best efforts I am afraid that my supplier has failed to deliver fairly crucial items such as shorts and the replica shirts for the minis/youth. My apologies and I am doing all I can to resolve the situation but at present I am being told that delivery will not be until the end of the month.
However I do have a full range of training and leisurewear in all sizes, as well as boots and such like kit, so a shop visit is still very well worthwhile

For weekend travel disruption remember to check here

SSE National League 1 see here  

Vikings/Saxons League see here