'MEMORY LANE'

The History of Boston Rugby Club

Boston Rugby Club was founded in 1927 by Ernst Clark, a gentleman with an interest in giving his boys and their friends something to do, or rather something to keep them out of trouble.

The first 'home' pitch was off Rosebery Avenue in Mountains Field, an unused plot of farmland and the players turned out in blue and white hooped shirts, as they still do. After match entertainment was at the White Hart Hotel. The hotel provided changing facilities which were an old shed out the back which included a tin tank bath. However, this did not unhinge the players as they served a fine pint of Worthington 'E'! It was like drinking dynamite - a drop so powerful that Boston people could only drink it in 1/2 pints. Visitors however drunk pints and were worse for wear very quickly. Whitbread Tankard was sold at BRFC Clubhouse.

Foundations being laid for the Boston Rugby Club clubhouse	The brickwork starts to take shape

The club members were made up from local lads and those coming into the area seeking work. The RAF bases in the surrounding areas provided a strong influx of members which assisted in the growth of the club. Until the outbreak of World War II the club enjoyed the physical and social aspects of the great game of rugby.

During the war the club diminished, but reformed soon after. The club’s new 'home' pitch was again an unused plot of farmland; this time off Great Fen Road about 200 yards from today’s club home. Around 1948 the club was on the move again, this time to Wainfleet Road where the club used several pitches as they moved field by field as the farmers requested the use of their land back.

Halfway point	Roof nearly complete and clubhouse well underway

As the club grew in strength the next major move was for the club to have its own clubhouse and ground. This happened in 1960 when the club bought ten acres of land from a local farmer. Money for the land was acquired from local business donations and from fund raising within the club. Extra-ordinary supper dances and fund raising proved to be real fun.

Gripping 1st Team pitch - Pitch laid by club members	Clearing the site for new clubhouse at Great Fen Road

The clubhouse project was overseen by Peter Tomes, who had ideas ahead of his time. He proposed that in the changing area the bath should house a radiator which would heat cold water to keep the bills down. With this is mind the only thing you had to remember was 'NOT TO SIT DIRECTLY ON THE RADIATOR'. Apparently Boston Rugby Club was one of the first clubs in the area to have such a facility. To this day the bath is still in full working order and is just the medicine for the players after a long hard slog on the pitch.

Official opening of clubhouse in 1960	With clubhouse complete the final touch - the bar

On September 14 1960, the clubhouse was officially opened by Councillor John and Mrs Dell, the Mayor and Mayoress. Mr Dick Clark was Club President at the time and is a nephew of the original club founder Ernst Clark. The clubhouse was now proudly up and running and until 2005 was enjoyed by generations of fine club members and friends.

The Club has now embarked on a new chapter of its history. In 1998 Boston Rugby Club proposed a project that would improve the development of sports within the community.

The idea was to build a new facility that would house not only rugby and athletics but would also be fully accessible to people with a disability. Boston Rugby Club produced initial proposals for the enhanced facilities and these proposals were endorsed by the Borough Council in April 1998. Working in partnership with the local authority; the Rugby Club and Boston & District Athletic Club formed the 'Disabled and Able-bodied British Sports Initiative' which operated under the name of dabsi.

The Princess Royal Sports Arena

Work soon commenced on the first phase of the project with the help of major sponsor Finnforest, a global timber manufacturer whose UK base is in Boston. The second phase of the project saw the development of the Rugby Club area and the whole development received Royal Ascent when it was officially opened by the Princess Royal and is now known as the Princess Royal Sports Arena.

Official opening of PRSA - 7th Oct 2003 HRH The Princess Royal	The Princess Royal meeting Rugby Club members

With the new stadium the club can now offer their members the magnificent playing, training and competition facilities. The club also aims to host county and representative matches at both senior and youth level.

HRH The Princess Royal - Bladerunner fitness facilities	New pitch and clubhouse - Princess Royal Sports Arena

The new bar and function area is the centre of the club and complete with a fully equipped (and clean!) kitchen, the clubhouse is the focus of the social side of the club. With the latest addition of two 42" plasma televisions all international games can be viewed in style. The bar hosts everything from informal drinking to annual presentations and the club is also available for hire for birthdays, weddings and all sorts of events.

Everyone is welcome at Boston Rugby Club it has a great family atmosphere and you can be assured of a warm welcome.

Moving forward - The Club's new impressive home The Princess Royal Sports Arena