Coventrians RFC History

When people ask who I played rugby for, I say, “Coventrians.” They reply, “old Coventrians?” I pause (sometimes tempted) but always say no, the real Covents. At this point they usually pull out a memory of the old baths, singing ‘til the early hours or one of the great characters associated with the club such as Spanner or Red.

The playing side is a serious business and everyone wants to be successful but it isn't all about winning trophies and being the best. It's about the club and the pride you have in the blue and white shirt. It's about the people you play and drink with, it's about the legacy of Jeff Daniel's “Eskimo Nell,” Hodgy's “Hooded Poet,” or Golly reciting Shakespeare, it's about Martin Trenholm's bonfires, Scholesy's chuckle and Sean's refereeing on the bottom pitch.

In the past when someone from a “big” club has sneered at us I've detected an envy of our closeness, our craic and pride in what we've got. Covents is an institution with a togetherness forged from adiversity, it's alive, it's kicking and it's ours.

It just leaves me to say, congratulations to everyone last season, it was fantastic to see the club do so well. I can't remember the last VP's do (thanks john Kenny & Platty) so the tradition remains! I'm looking forward to another great year in 2006/07

Mick Winterton

Club History

The actual date that the name 'Coventrians' was adopted is rather vague. A brief history of the Club is as follows:

1914-1918

During the First World War, local players and old boys from King Henry VIII Grammar School formed a team from players home on leave from their wartime services. Sometimes during this period the team played under the name of the Warwickshire Yeomanry - named after the County Regiment

1914-1935

The name Coventrians may have been used before this period, but it was during this period the name was used. During these years the club was still a mix of old boys and non-school members.

A 50th Anniversary celebration was held on 18th Sept 1971 indicating the Coventrians were formed in 1921. A Post card and Post mark were created for the anniversary.

In 1930 the school formed its own club, Old Coventrians, and only old boys were eligible to play - hence the two, Coventrians and Old Coventrians, Maudslay Road was still being used as a ground.

One member of the club worked at The Maudslay (car and lorry manufacturers) and used to 'borrow' lorries for transporting the players to away fixtures.

During this period the first Tin Bath was purchased.

1935-1937

The Club moved to The Grove, Kenilworth Road , situated on the corner of Kenilworth Road and the Leamington Rd. A member of the Club has some spare land at his home and a pitch was situated there.

The tin bath was also moved!

1937-1939

The club and tin bath moved to Sheriff Avenue .

1939-1945

No games during the war. At the end of the war the changing rooms were burnt down to celebrate V.E. night. (The bath survived.)

1946-1947

The next move was to the Boat Inn, Shilton Lane , and guess what - so did the bath.

1947-1987

The club purchased land at Kirby Corner Road , Canley. For a short period the teams changed at the Abbey Hotel, Kenilworth and cycled the 5 miles to the ground.

A nissen hut was purchased for £25.00 to house the tin bath and changing rooms. Sometime later a second tin bath was acquired. Visitors used to be entertained at the Royal Oak , Kenilworth .

In 1966 the clubhouse was built and a year or so later the wooden changing rooms were built, leaving its nissen hut as the bath area. During this period extensions were made to the clubhouse.

In 1987 the land was sold and a new ground was purchased at the Old Radford Aerodrome.

1987

Coventrians RFC was re born in September 1987 when it moved from the Kirby Corner Ground to a purpose built site at its current ground off Holbrook Lane, Radford.

The facilities at the grounds include a licensed members bar, four changing rooms two dedicated football pitches. Dedicated floodlit training area, a Crown green bowls pitch and two rugby pitches

November 7th - 48-12 home win over Shottery clinches the Warwickshire 3 league title with 2 games to go.
November 21st - Coventrians field a 4th team for the first time.
December 19th - Last game at Kirby Corner Rd - 2nd team lost 6-20 to Pinley.

1988

January 2nd - First games at The Black Pad - 2nd team lost 0-3 to Post Office - 3rd team lost 4-18 to Birm Civ Service.
September 25th - Coventrians new clubhouse is officially opened.

1988/89

Coventrians 2nd team unbeaten until April 15th 1989.

1989

May Coventrians tour North America including Darren Garforth & Bob Massey as guest players.

2006

Coventrians FC is born and adopt the 'Blue and Whites', by 2011 they have seven teams at various age levels and have a huge following.

2007/08

Coventrians RFC 1st XV win a promotion play-off against Shropshire side 'Clee Hill' to move up from Midlands 5 West (South) to Midlands 4 West (South), but unfortunately, after just one season the team is relegated.

2010/11

After several years in the wilderness as far as coaches are concerned, Covents place current player, Maurice Kearns into the Head Coach position. The first and second teams finish both finish mid-table and with a sudden recruitment surge during the summer between 2010/11 and 2011/12 a young, well bonded pair of teams emerge for 2011/12

2011/12 - We're gonna need a bigger trophy cabinet...

Coventrians RFC 1st XV win the Midlands 5 West (South) league outright, with two games to spare. A triumphant year with eight consecutive league wins (with at least four clean sheets) and a pool for friendlies unwilling to take us on...

Success also came this year in the form of The return of the Jonny Roden Memorial trophy after the final game of the season was played away at Coventry Welsh.

Also, the FC side of the club goes from strength to strength with in excess of a dozen mini and junior teams and a formal under 21's side. Many of their teams won their respective leagues and promotions were numerous.