History

Fawley & District Rugby Club was first established in the southern Waterside area in the 1920s drawing players from the villages of Fawley, Blackfield, Holbury and Hythe. At that time the area population was employed mainly in the small AGWI oil refinery, the Drummond estate, the New Forest and Calshot RAF Station.

In 1935 the Fawley & District Rugby Club became associated with the AGWI Recreation Club and the Club name was changed to AGWI RFC. Membership was open to AGWI employees and associate members from the locality, with a lot of players coming up from the Military establishments at Marchwood, RAF Calshot and HMS Diligence. It was at this point the club joined the RFU.

Fixtures were arranged on a friendly basis with most Hampshire and Dorset clubs. The senior side of 1958/1959 didn’t lose a game until February, a great indication of the strength of the Club.

Following the Second World War the Club was restarted. The area expanded quickly with Esso taking over AGWI and starting a petrochemical complex. The Club was renamed Esso Fawley RFC and moved to Long Lane, Holbury. Many employees from the expanding Esso refinery joined the Club and it flourished until the advent of league rugby. The nickname 'Oilmen' and 'Oilers' was earned during this time and, although the association with Esso was lost some time ago, the nicknames bubble to the surface occasionally.

In the late 1970s to early 80s we were proud to have a budding young Matt Dawson on side and hope to help produce and influence many more ‘world class players’.

With the advent of League fixtures the senior side progressed as high as London South West 3 but is now firmly established in the Hampshire Leagues.

In 2000 the Club changed its name to Fawley RFC, returning to its heritage and taking the squads back to their roots. When the Esso Oil Refinery and the Recreation Club severed their ties it became the Waterside Sports and Social Club, leasing the existing facilities from Exxon/Mobil.

Fawley RFC now runs two Senior, a Veteran and a flourishing Youth and Junior section, and with enough interest we would love to add a ladies team to the bill.

The Club invites players and supporters of all ages to become members for mutual enjoyment of the game and to contribute to the progress of Fawley RFC.