A Brief history of Millbrook RFC
(Thanks to PaulSlater for this)

In the mid 1960's Paul Slater took over charge of Rugby at Millbrook School. The game grew steadily at the school and soon they were turning out very good teams in each year group. Towards the end of the 1970/71 season two things happened. Firstly, one of the players, Gary Gorse, asked 'Sir' if their team could stay together and form a club. Secondly, this team held a 'traditional' Rugby Club Dinner (without alcohol) in a local restaurant with the guest speaker being Dudley Kemp, a former President of the R.F.U. The concept of the Millbrook Rugby Football Club was born. A meeting was later held in a classroom at the school which involved all of those lads along with a number of former students. They formed the Club with Viv Davies (City P.E. Adviser) as President and Dudly Kemp as one of the Vice-Presidents. Viv managed to purchase a set of shirts from 'one educational fund or another'!

Their first match, September 1971 was against Alton Colts which they won. At this stage all the matches were played on the Millbrook School pitch with after-match refreshments being in the adjoining Youth Club building. As at least some beer is required after all matches and we weren't allowed to sell alcohol we purchased a number of 'Party Sevens' and a glass of this was exchanged upon the purchase of a raffle ticket! However, this was obviously not satisfactory so the club looked at how to improve the situation. Permission was obtained from the school and the local Education Authority to use the school's 5th form lounge and to obtain a Club Registration Certificate (Bar Licence) - the first one in any school in Hampshire! A small store room was built in which to store the various drinks etc. and playing equipment. The Club was also growing in numbers and in due course 2nd and 3rd teams were established.

However, it was felt that the Club really needed its own ground and clubhouse. After much hard work and fund raising a clubhouse was built on top of the changing rooms at the Lordshill Outdoor Recreation Centre. Initially, this was shared by a number of different sports clubs but is now the Rugby Club's own Clubhouse with other sports clubs becoming associate members, also using the facilities.

 

Each year at the Annual Dinner we present four trophies. Winners for 2008 were:

MRFC Player of the year: Mike Phippard
MRFC Most improved player (Ginger Roberts Trophy): Luke Wilson
MRFC Clubman of the year: Kevin Byatt
Wooden Spoon: Warren Renwick

For a list of past winners please click here.

For a list of previous and current honours board position holders, please click here.

Any information you may have to help complete these lists would be welcomed.