About Shelford Rugby Club
Our vision
To be recognised as the leading community rugby club in the East of England offering opportunities to participate in this sport for all men, women, young adults, teenagers and children. As a community rugby club we aim to achieve rugby excellence from minis through to both of our first XVs, with the majority of our players and coaches derived from the local area. We are largely volunteer run and will endeavour to always play a strong and positive role in the life of the community we serve, providing wellness, entertainment and social opportunities for all.
Our club values
Building on rugby union’s core values (TREDS), the club has adopted Enjoyment, Welfare, Development, alongside Inclusivity, Community and Sustainability as its key values and these will always be the foundations of its continued progression and culture.
Our rugby mission statement
To develop all of our players to the best of their abilities in a safe and enjoyable environment.
The History of Shelford Rugby Club
The date was 6 October 1933 when an announcement was made through the Cambridge Independent Press - “ A rugby section of Shelford Amateur Sports Association has now definitely been formed.. Club colours will be claret vests with white collars” - and so the story begins for Shelford Rugby Club. The first ground was loaned to the Club by Mrs Goldsmith-Martin and was close to Shelford Railway Station with changing facilities at the nearby Railway Tavern.
Captains and Vice Captains at that time included R A Collard, R P Davey, whose father P L Davey became a great benefactor and long standing President to the Club and T A Arias, who went on to become the President of Panama. Teams were put out for Thursday games and Saturday games, and press comments reported good progress for our teams, albeit that on occasion the enthusiasm spilled over with one game between Shelford and Duxford RAF being abandoned with 15 minutes left because of rough play!
After 1945, the Recreation Ground at Shelford became the regular playing field and the new “headquarters” became the nearby Peacock Inn – the origins of the Club emblem. New changing rooms were built alongside the Peacock in 1950, thanks to the generosity of the Fordham brothers, the owners of the Peacock. The Club continued to grow during the 50’s and early 60’s.In 1965 , the Club reached a major milestone in its development when Mr P J Davey honoured the Club by donating the playing field at Cambridge Road, Gt Shelford – the present home of the Club , which became known as “Davey Field”. The official opening of the ground and new Clubhouse on 19 September 1966 was marked with a game against Andy Hancock’s star-studded team from Northampton.
The Club flourished during the 60’s and 70’s from its home at Davey Field. On the field successes with a string of County Cup victories were matched by off the field improvements –a tradition at Shelford. Another pitch was added from land provided Mr Davey in 1972, and floodlights were added in October 1973.
Into the 80’s and 90’s, and progress has never faltered with Shelford seeing the start of its hugely successful Youth section in 1989, the formation of its Ladies team , which has gone on to provide numerous international players to the game , and the continuing growth of rugby for senior male players with five sides turning out on a regular basis.
With the help of the Shelford Parish Council, a fourth pitch (the Allotments”) was added in 1995 Into the new millennium and another milestone was reached. Through the determination and hard work of its members, and the support of many sponsors, Shelford opened its new Clubhouse facilities including spectator terracing, which is the best in the County. To cope with the growth of the Club, further land was bought to add another pitch. This pitch was called "Jakes Field" after the Clubs long standing Chairman who sadly died in 2002.
We are now for the first time in our history playing in the National leagues. We aim to secure our status over the coming years so we can offer high level rugby to our young up-and-coming players