The Club

Battersea Ironsides is a small, friendly social rugby club, renowned for its hard rugby. Located in Earlsfield, just 7 miles from the centre of London.

They have 4 senior XV's, Vets and a Junior section ranging from under 12 to under 18 age groups. The Club also has a Mini Rugby section which caters for boys and girls from as young as 5 years of age. Always looking for new players of all levels, players who are interested in playing rugby for one of London's most ambitious and sociable rugby clubs can register their interest through the website or e-mail [216].

Colours

Emerald green jerseys with white band, white shorts and red socks. The green shirts represent the fields where the tank battalion did battle and the red socks signify the blood that was spilt.

History

The club was founded in 1943 by Colonel E H St Maur Toope from members of the 42nd Royal Tank Regiment Cadet Battalion located in the Borough of Battersea.

In 1948, the title was changed to "Battersea Ironsides", "Ironside" being the affeconate name for the WWII Armoured Tank, and the club was opened up to players other than ex-Royal Tank Regiment Cadets.

What follows is an extract from the memiors of the Colonel entitled, "The Early Years".

"...1944 found the club, then known as 42nd Royal Tank Regiment Cadets XV, still struggling. Weak in fixtures, very green as regards playing capabilities, but full of enthusiasm. London and the Home Counties were still under sporadic bombardment, and although the VI “doodle-bugs” had almost ceased to trouble us, their place was taken by the V2 rocket. I can recall one game punctuated by the not too distant double “whoomp” of an intruding V2 from Holland. However, the game went on.

The first match against St Marks Youth Club from Croydon was drawn 6-6, and that against Phillips Sports Club XV at Berrylands lost 0-12. Next we met a representative London Sea Cadets side that beat us 3-16.

On the 9 December 1944, meeting Phillips Sorts Club for the second time, we recorded our first win 3-0 by a penalty kicked by Raymond. It was an occasion for celebration, and celebrate we did. I was successful in lifting the ban on intoxicating liquor served to cadets in the Home Guard Canteen at Clapham Junction Drill hall, to which most of the team returned, and thus the boys were introduced to the other reason for playing Rugger – a pint or two of the best!"

Seniors

Sides

1st XV

Captained by Paul "Father" Dowling and with Tim Glasby taking the reigns as manager (a first for the club), the 1st XV will continue to play competitive, high quality rugby in Surrey Division 1 and are always striving to improve and look for new players to continue moving the side onward and upward.

2nd XV

Captained by Will Leeder, the 2nd XV compete in a merit league and cup competition and have enjoyed successful seasons for the past 3 years. Despite many players challenging for 1st team positions and changes in personnel every week, the second team again kept up the style that has earned them the tag of the "Super 2's!"

3rd XV

The 3rd XV also qualify for a merit league and cup and are captained by Guido Da Silva for 2008-9. Guido hopes to build on the fine displays that it had last year and push further on in the cup and league competitions.

4th XV

Jim Faulkner is leading the 4th team for 08-09 and this is rumoured to be the team everyone wants to play for. For the third year running they will also participate in the merit league. The backbone of the club, combining youth and vast experience. Two years ago the side had a great unbeaten run and are always striving to match that run!

Ironside Vets

A very social vets side affectionately known as the "The Mothers", any player over 35 qualifies and is welcome. The games play friendlies matches, about one a month.

Juniors

History

Battersea Ironsides Minis RFC was formed in 1995 by a group of parents with the aim of providing facilities for boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 18 to learn to play the game and develop their skills. Having gained the necessary coaching qualification the parents affiliated the mini club to the senior club, Battersea Ironsides RFC, and to the Rugby Football Union.

Theview is that children come to the Club to play rugby, but more importantly to have fun. The club do not select A and B teams: everyone in the squad gets to play in matches. We aim to create an inclusive friendly environment that is welcoming to children, parents and visitors. The policy seemed to have work as having started with 27 players we now have around 350 members playing in age groups from Under 7's to Under 16's. Each season the club attend matches, festivals and organise tours in the UK and Europe for some age groups.

An elected Committee, in accordance with the Club Constitution, runs the Club on a day-to-day basis. The normal contact point for parents is their child's Age Group Head Coach. All of the Committee members, the Non-Committee Coaches and other helpers are unpaid volunteers.

Team Photos