Cornwall’s oldest rugby club
Cornwall’s oldest rugby club, Penryn, are to celebrate their 150th season with events kicking off this month (August).
At their Borough home ground, they will commemorate and celebrate the lives, families and individuals who have shaped the club’s diverse history.
Since being founded in 1872 by watch maker John Marshall Thomas, who returned from playing for Blackheath bringing with him the now famous black and red hoops, the club has thrived at the heart of their small Cornish town.
Reaching its centenary in 1972 the club was already playing and hosting the likes of London Welsh, Sale, Neath, Harlequins, Coventry and Cardiff and made history when taking on the British and Irish Lions on home soil on a unique occasion in 1973 at their Memorial Ground in Penryn.
“We are immensely proud of all that Penryn has achieved in the last 150 years and after a difficult 2020 season with Covid, we are looking ahead to the future and the legacy we leave behind for the next 150 years and all those future generations of rugby players in the Borough.
“It will be an exciting year and with celebrations woven in and around the sporting fixtures and off-pitch festivities, we are delighted to start of the season with the launch of our new match kit and club rebranding,” said Tim Nicholls, Club President.
Just the Trick Design created an updated identity with a nod to the past and eye to the next 150 years.
“Having received a warm welcome at the height of my playing career at the Borough, it was an honour to give something back that will hopefully outlive me,” said Danny Trick founder of Just the Trick Design, who played for Penryn RFC in the early 2000’s. “Our goal has been to produce an identity that evokes a sense of belonging and that players and fans will be proud to be part of.”
The club has retained the original colours over the years but for the 150th celebrations, the traditional red and black hoops return.
“I know all of our players, young and old will be incredibly proud to step out in the famous Penryn red and black hoops this season with the shout of ‘Up the Borough’ resounding around the grounds,” said Marek Churcher, Director of Rugby who has ambitious plans for the ‘Borough’ in the coming years.
Penryn Rugby supports over 15 teams, sportsmen and women at all levels, with in excess of 250 registered players in their youth section, championed by a robust infrastructure of volunteers and supporters.
“The British and Irish Lions tour this summer which has added to the buzz at the club as Penryn is the only club to have played them on home turf,” said Tim. “But any rugby club is really about the here now and it’s about building for the future and that looks pretty good too. 2020 was an awful period causing loss and suffering to many. For Penryn Rugby Club as for everyone else, it was a difficult time, and yet we seem set to emerge in robust shape and excited for the future.
“We have excellent numbers of men and women attending training, enough for two men’s teams and a very successful women’s team and alongside our youth and minis teams, boys and girls as we celebrate our 150th anniversary as the oldest club in Cornwall and one of the oldest in the country. We are rightly proud of that distinction.”
And with the 150th season fast approaching, the Club are looking for a collection of pictures, memories and artifacts to build up a commemorative story, so if you have something to contribute, they would love to hear from you.
Head to their website at www.penrynrugby.com where you can read more andif you have something to offer in the way of memorabilia, or have a personal connection to the club, please get in touch via the website – they would love to hear from you!
