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THE HISTORY OF HOVE RUGBY CLUB
Hove Rugby Club, boasts a rich heritage rooted in community and resilience. Our origins trace back to 1933, when Territorial Army officers and members of the Sussex Yeomanry established a the rugby club, after the disruption of World War II, the club reformed and played at East Brighton Park (circa 1945).
By 1952, needing fresh momentum, the club enlisted the support of local civic leaders, including Alderman Arthur Brocke and Councillor Jack Woolley to secure a new ground in Hove Park. They revitalised an old Scout Hut to create essential facilities such as showers, a kitchen, and a bar ushering in a new chapter as Hove Rugby Club.
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In 1990, Hove was one of the few clubs in the country to form it's own Women's team, which thrived from it's conception thanks to Joe Shields, and many others who put in the time and work to create the foundations for the booming squad we see today.
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​In the early 2000s, the club embarked on another major evolution. After being granted permission by the newly formed Brighton & Hove Council, Hove Rugby moved to our current home at the Hove Recreation Ground in time for the 2002–03 season. A new clubhouse and four dedicated pitches were opened appropriately marking the club’s 50th anniversary by the Mayor of Brighton & Hove in August 2002.
1930's & 1940's
Hove Rugby Club traces its origins to Sussex Yeomanry Rugby Club, formed in 1933 from members of the historic Sussex Yeomanry Regiment.
The regiment, established in 1794 to counter the threat of French invasion, served with distinction in both world wars, notably in Gallipoli, Palestine, and on the Western Front. The rugby club, proudly wearing blue vests with a gold crest, played at East Brighton Park until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, when its players disbanded to join the war effort. Though briefly revived after the war, it struggled to maintain numbers, eventually giving way to the formation of Hove RFC.
1950's
So we arrive in 1952; it had become obvious that the Yeomanry could no longer continue without an influx of new players. The members approached Alderman Arthur Brocke, who was then Mayor of Hove, and Councillor Jack Woolley.
They secured a pitch in Hove Park, in spite of some opposition from nearby residents, and the old timber Scout Hut, which was refurbished and extended to provide showers, kitchen and a bar. The club was up and running. A club that was perhaps known more for its exploits off the field than on it was born.
1960's
By 1961, Hove Rugby Club was thriving, fielding four teams and securing new pitches on what is now Neville Playing Fields—though the rough ground often sent players to Hove General Hospital for stitches.
Known for its lively social scene, the club mixed hearty post-match meals, raucous singing, and generous helpings of Watneys Red Barrel, occasionally testing the patience of nearby Goldstone Crescent residents. Presiding over this colourful era was Charles Phillip “CP” Lungley, a formidable former Blackheath RFC man who ran team selection with military precision, unearthing talent from the lower sides and keeping order—albeit with a gin and tonic in hand.
1970's
It was in January 1974 that Richard Lewis our past President, blessed with two strapping sons started the Mini Rugby Section and the rest of course is history. Our most famous product of the ‘Minis’ is Alex ‘Beetle’ King now of England, and Wasps, not to mention Adam Bidwell, Cambridge Blue, Saracens and London Welsh, Altan Osdamir, England Under 21, Harlequins and Bristol, Ben Hampson , England under 21, Saracens and London Irish, and most recently Jordan Turner-Hall and Noah Cato – England U20’s.
The casualty of this new Sunday morning activity was the selection Committee; seven and eight year olds noisily charging around the clubhouse, was viewed with distaste by CP, but he would have been proud of achievements that the Mini and Youth Sections have chalked up over the subsequent years.
1980's
The introduction of League Rugby brought about a fundamental change to all junior clubs and Hove was no exception. New training regimes, coaching and competitive spirit replaced Eskimo Nell and the Club started its league campaign in Sussex League 1.
The club has since then bounced between Divisions Sussex 1 and London South East 4. However, during this period the embryo of a new beginning began to form following a rejection by the members of a proposal to amalgamate with Brighton FC (Rugby) who, following the construction of the Brighton bypass, was cash rich and moving to a new facility at Waterhall. New locations discussed included Benfield Valley to the south of the Sainsbury Superstore and the Neville Road playing Fields. Hove Borough Council did not favour either.
1990's
The 1990s marked a period of growth for Hove Rugby Club’s women's and junior section, bringing in members who would later play pivotal roles in the club’s development. Richard Beecham, joining in 1992, rose from junior chairman to club chairman, leading the push to relocate to improved facilities—a goal eventually realised at the Recreation Ground after political hurdles.
Jamie Angus became club secretary, while Andy Ward, initially on the junior committee as press and publicity officer, built the club’s first website and membership database in the mid-1990s, transforming communications. Ward later joined the executive committee as assistant and acting secretary, supporting Angus as he oversaw the new clubhouse project.
2000's
The biggest event in the Club’s history happened on our 50th anniversary with the move from Hove Park to Hove Recreation Ground to allow the whole club to operate on just one site rather than having teams dispersed over 2 or 3 locations.
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Richard Beecham originally designed the new building and negotiated with the combined Council officers resulting in the prospect of a new Clubhouse surrounded by four pitches and a training ground. But Richard and the rest of the commitee couldn’t agree on the mechanics of the build and so Jamie Angus took a sabbatical from his role as Club Secretary (Andy Ward took over) and managed the entire project of the build and the move.
2010's
The 2010’s saw the Club play their first game at Level 6 for the Men’s 1st XV after their success the previous May with that epic home win in the play-off over Guernsey. Tunbridge Juddians had won the London 2 South East league and we had come second but with a better record than Guernsey and so the match was Hove’s to host.