Guernsey RFC

Guernsey Rugby Football Club is an amateur[1][2] rugby union team who play at Footes Lane in St Peter Port on the Channel Island of Guernsey. The club was formed in 1928.[3] Currently the club runs two senior teams, a veterans side and a colts side.[4] Their first XV, the Guernsey Raiders[5] currently play in Level 5 (London & South East Premier) following their relegation from National League 2 South at the end of the 2018-19 season. The Guernsey Raiders Ladies team plays in Level 4, Women's National Challenge South East South 1.

Guernsey
Full nameGuernsey Rugby Football Club
UnionHampshire RFU
Nickname(s)Raiders
Founded1928 (1928)
LocationSaint Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands
Ground(s)Footes Lane (Capacity: 5,000 (720 seated))
ChairmanCarl Johnson
PresidentAdy Le Page
Coach(es)Jordy Reynolds
Captain(s)Lewis Hillier
League(s)London & South East Premier
2019–20Runners up (promoted to 2020-21 National League 2 South)
Team kit
Official website
www.pitchero.com/clubs/guernseyrfc/

History

Guernsey RFC were founded in 1928 and started playing in English leagues in 1987.[6] As a result of the high transport costs, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) funds the opposition team's travel when they play away at Guernsey as well as funding Guernsey's travel to England for league matches. Until 2010, the Hampshire Rugby Football Union also granted additional funding to help with the transport costs.[7]

In 2011, Guernsey had a new clubhouse constructed which was also visited by The Princess Royal during her visit to Guernsey in November.[8] In 2012, after being promoted from London 1 South, Guernsey became the only fully amateur team in National League 3 London & SE.[9] Guernsey host annual "ladies days" during their season.[10]

Siam Cup

Guernsey annually play Jersey Reds in the inter-insular Siam Cup, the second oldest rugby honour contested after the Calcutta Cup. The host venue alternates yearly between Footes Lane and Jersey's St. Peter. The Siam Cup match is viewed as a season finale by the two clubs as the match is played after the regular league season has finished.[11] In 2010, a Guernsey player was found guilty of assaulting two Jersey players after a Siam Cup game.[12] Since Jersey began employing professional players they have dominated the inter island game. From 2016 in an attempt to even up the game only professional players who had been in Jersey for three years will be eligible for the annual match.[13]

Guernsey Ladies Rugby team

In 2012, Guernsey's women's team applied to join the English leagues. However the Rugby Football Union rejected their application on logistical grounds and also because the RFU Council had previously passed a moratorium to not admit to the English leagues, any further teams from offshore.[14]

In 2014–15 the decision was overcome and Guernsey Ladies (GLR) joined the Women's National Challenge South East South 2 league, which they won, earning promotion to Women's National Challenge South East South 1 for the 2015–16 season. In 2016-17 the Women again won the top position in their league becoming champions after winning 12 of the 14 season's matches.[15]

Men's seasons
‡ Leagues re-branded, with London 3 South West renamed London 2 South West

Men's current season results

Women's seasons

Ladies current seasons results

Honours

Men's

Women's
  • Level 5 Women's National Challenge South East South 2 champions: 2014–15, promoted to level 4
  • Level 4 Women's National Challenge South East South 1 champions: 2016-17, promoted to level 3

Notable players

See also

References
  1. "Guernsey worried by Jersey pros". BBC Sport. 2008-04-29. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
  2. "Guernsey RFC coach Jordan Reynolds seeks further progress". BBC Sport. 2012-10-05. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
  3. Club website history page
  4. Club website
  5. "Guernsey RFC first team rebrand as the Raiders". Guernsey Press. 25 Aug 2015.
  6. "Preview to Guernsey (a) 05.05.12". Jersey RFC. 2012-05-05. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
  7. Offshore Travel Fund (PDF). Hampshire RFU. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
  8. "Guernsey graced by Royalty - Guernsey News from ITV Channel Television". Channel Television. 2011-11-08. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
  9. "Guernsey boss Jordan Reynolds has National Three confidence". BBC Sport. 2012-08-15. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
  10. "Back by popular demand Guernsey RFC to hold another Ladies Day". Isle News. 2012-09-24. Archived from the original on 2016-02-07. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
  11. "Jersey won't fall into Siam Cup trap". This is Jersey. 2012-05-04. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
  12. "Guernsey rugby player avoids prison after assault". BBC News. 2010-05-02. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
  13. "Siam Cup 2016: Only eight Jersey professionals will play against Guernsey". BBC. 16 March 2016.
  14. "Guernsey women's rugby team barred from English league". BBC Sport. 2012-08-22. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
  15. "Guernsey Ladies prove that they are 'Simply the Best'". Guernsey Press. 20 March 2017.
  16. http://www.grfc.gg/a/history-9374.html?page=3
  17. "Reynolds' half-time blast does the trick". Guernsey Press. 30 April 2018.
  18. "Jones earns his stripes as he turns out for Tigers". This is Guernsey. 2011-12-22. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
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