Torquay Athletic RFC

Torquay Athletic RFC is an English rugby union team formed in 1876 that is based in Torquay, Devon. The club operates 5 senior men's teams as well as youth and mini teams, with the men's first team currently playing in Tribute Cornwall/Devon following their relegation from Tribute Western Counties West at the end of the 2017-18 season. Nicknamed the "Tics", the first team's kit is black and white hoops and they play home games at the Recreation Ground.[1] They have a local rivalry with Paignton RFC.

View of the grandstand at the Recreation Ground, home of Torquay Athletic RFC
View from grandstand showing cricket pavilion
Torquay Athletic
Full nameTorquay Athletic Rugby Football Club
UnionDevon RFU
Nickname(s)Tics
Founded1876 (1876)
LocationTorquay, Devon, England
Ground(s)Recreation Ground (Capacity: 3,000 (300 seats))
ChairmanJackie Coles
PresidentDave Thompson
League(s)Cornwall/Devon
2019–207th
Team kit
Official website
www.torquayrfc.co.uk

History

Early days

There is some debate over when Torquay Athletic formed. The club has for many years used 1875 as the official date based on the recollections of founder Harry Gray whose memories formed the basis of a publication in 1925. Gray actually said that he attended regatta sports in Brixham in 1875[2] which “eventually” led to the formation of the club. The actual formation of the Torquay Athletic and Football Club was announced in the Torquay Times of 19 August 1876, the announcement signed by H.J. Gray 15 August 1876.[3] Ray Batten's book "A History of Torquay Athletic R.F.C." implies that the club not formed until 1886 because the earlier incarnation was a different organisation. He is correct in the strictest interpretation. The old club became defunct in 1885,[4] with the Excelsior and Ellacombe clubs coming together to form a “phoenix club” in 1886.[5] The club was commonly known by the same name, played at the same ground - Plainmoor - and had the same club president Dr Hamilton Ramsey. Reports of annual dinners make it clear that Hamilton Ramsey regarded the two clubs as one entity.[6][7][8] in 1890 the club reached the final of the Devon Senior Cup losing 6-10 to Exeter at the County Ground.[9] Seven years later the club were back in a final, this time in the Devon Junior Cup, with the Athletic reserve side winning the cup.[10] In 1904 Torquay Athletic moved to the Recreation Ground, replacing Torquay United, who had been tenants there for the previous four years.[11] The rugby club have occupied the ground ever since, renting it from Torquay Town Council, and sharing it with the local cricket club since 1926, with occasional Devon CCC cricket games also played there. The Recreation Ground itself remains relatively unchanged since it first opened back in the 1888 and remains a great example of the grounds of the period.[12]

With a permanent home in place Torquay Athletic would establish itself as one of the better sides in the county and in 1907 the club won the Devon Senior Cup for the first time in the club's history.[10] Winning the cup, would not however prove to be a catalyst for success, as Athletic would fall behind the dominant sides of the time, Devonport Albion and Plymouth RFC (parent clubs of Plymouth Albion). The club had to wait 63 years for their next senior cup win, eventually reclaiming it for the second time in 1979.[10]

League rugby

The advent of the national leagues in 1987 saw Torquay Athletic placed in South West Division 1 - division 5 of the English rugby union league system. League rugby was not initially successful for the club as after only two seasons they were relegated to South West 2.[13] They bounced back the following year as they were promoted from South West 2 after claiming the runners up spot.[14] The rest of the nineties was a period of stability for the club as they kept afloat in South West Division 1 and they also reached the final of the Devon Senior Cup in 1998 losing against Tiverton despite having home advantage.[15]

The start of the 21st century proved to be an interesting one for Athletic as they yo-yoed up and down the league system. They suffered two relegation's in three years, first from South West Division 1 at the end of 2001 and then South West 2 West in 2003, to fall to the lowest league position in their history.[16][17] After a bad start to the decade Athletic bounced back, just missing out on promotion by losing the playoff 7-18 away to Gloucester-based side, Spartans in 2004 before winning Western Counties West in 2005-06.[18][19] They also won the Devon Senior Cup for the third time in 2007, defeating Paignton in the final.[20] Success in the cup was not replicated in the league and in 2010 Torquay Athletic were once more relegated.[21] Two years later they came close to promotion after finishing second in Tribute Western Counties West, but were comfortably beaten 7-39 away to another Gloucester based side, Old Centralians.[22]

The 2017-18 season would see Torquay once again suffer the agony of relegation, going down on the last day of the season to drop to level 8 (Tribute Cornwall/Devon) - the lowest level that they have played at since the leagues began.[23]

Grounds

In the club’s first season, they only played in-house games at Daddyhole Plain. From 1877-81, they practised at Daddyhole but played home games on Paignton Green. For 1881-82, they played at a field in Plainmoor between Cary Park, Manor Road and Warberry Lane (now called Warbro Road).[24] In 1882, they crossed Warberry Lane to play for the first time at the Plainmoor ground which is now home to Torquay United.[25] The club was extinct 1885-86.[26] The new club returned to Plainmoor[27] for a season and a half before spending half a season at Hengrave, Shiphay.[28] In 1888, they moved in to the brand new Recreation Ground.[29] A financial dispute between Athletic and the Recreation Ground Company meant that 1890-91 was played at Paignton Cycle track[30] behind the Esplanade Hotel (now the Inn on the Green). Athletic returned to the Rec in 1891 but stayed just one season before moving back to Plainmoor. A wooden grandstand was built and Athletic stayed for twelve seasons 1892-1904. In 1903, the club was served with twelve months’ notice by the Cary Estate. A battle ensued with the relatively young Torquay United club who had used the Rec since 1900. Rugby was the more established game at the time, although association was growing fast, and so Athletic prevailed. They moved back to the Rec in September 1904 and have stayed there ever since.

The Recreation Ground is located on Rathmore Road in Torquay, near to the sea front and next to the train station. It consists of a rugby/cricket pitch alongside a Victorian-era grandstand underneath which is the club-house and changing facilities, while a stand-alone cricket pavilion and scoreboard is situated at the opposite end of the ground. Parking is available at the ground.

The ground capacity for both rugby and cricket is around 3,000, most of which is standing, including 300 seats in the grandstand.[31] The grandstand originally had seating for 600 but at present only half of it is used as the other half has fallen into ruin and is unsafe for spectators.

Season summary
Season League National Cup(s) County Cup(s)
Competition/Level Position Points Competition Performance Competition Performance
1987–88South West 1 (5)
1988–89South West 1 (5)(relegated)[32]
1989–90South West 2 (6)2nd (promoted)[33]
1990–91South West 1 (5)Pilkington Cup1st Round
1991–92South West 1 (5)Pilkington Cup1st Round
1992–93South West 1 (5)
1993–94South West 1 (6)[a 1]
1994–95South West 1 (6)
1995–96South West 1 (6)
1996–97South West 1 (5)[a 2]6th[34]21
1997–98South West 1 (5)9th[35]16Devon Senior CupRunners up
1998–99South West 1 (5)11th[36][a 3]9Tetley's Bitter Cup1st Round
1999–00South West 1 (5)9th[37]16
2000–01South West 1 (5)11th (relegated)[38]7
2001–02South West 2 West (6)10th[39]14
2002–03South West 2 West (6)11th (relegated)[40]12
2003–04Western Counties West (7)2nd (lost playoff)[41]32Powergen Intermediate Cup1st Round[42][43]
2004–05Western Counties West (7)4th[44]26Powergen Intermediate Cup[45]
2005–06Western Counties West (7)1st (promoted)[46]38Powergen Trophy1st Round[47]
2006–07South West 2 West (6)3rd[48]28EDF Intermediate Cup[49]Devon Senior CupWinners
2007–08South West 2 West (6)4th[50]26EDF Energy Trophy1st Round[51][52]
2008–09South West 2 West (6)8th[53]17EDF Intermediate Cup[54]
2009–10South West 1 West (6)[a 4]12th (relegated)[55]16
2010–11Western Counties West (7)6th[56]74[a 5]Devon Intermediate PlateWinners
2011–12Western Counties West (7)2nd (lost playoff)[57]93Devon Intermediate CupSemi-finals[58]
2012–13Western Counties West (7)4th[59]80RFU Intermediate Cup5th Round[60]Devon Senior Cup1st Round[58]
2013–14Western Counties West (7)7th[61]60Devon Intermediate Cup2nd Round[62]
2014–15Western Counties West (7)12th[63]36Devon Intermediate Cup1st Round[64]
2015–16Western Counties West (7)5th[65]78Devon Intermediate Cup2nd Round[66]
2016–17Western Counties West (7)9th[67]55RFU Intermediate Cup4th Round[68]
2017–18Western Counties West (7)13th (relegated)[69]47Devon Intermediate CupSemi-finals[70]
2018–19Cornwall/Devon (8)5th[71]84Devon Intermediate Shield3rd[72]
2019–20Cornwall/Devon (8)7th64.97[a 6]Devon Intermediate Shield
2020–21Cornwall/Devon (8)Devon Intermediate Shield
Green background stands for either league champions (with promotion) or cup winners. Blue background stands for promotion without winning league or losing cup finalists. Pink background stands for relegation.

Honours

First Team

Second Team

Notable former players
  • Chris Bell - Plymouth born Centre who played youth rugby at Athletic before going to forge a career in the Premiership with clubs including Harlequins and Wasps. Also gained youth international caps for England.
  • Mike Davis - Torquay born Lock who played at Athletic in his youth and went to gain 16 caps for England at lock as well as coaching the national side from 1979 to 1982.
  • Lee Mears - Torquay born Hooker who started with Torquay Athletic minis before going on to have a successful career with Bath as well as gaining 42 caps for England and 4 caps for the British and Irish Lions.
  • Cecil Pritchard - capped 8 times by Wales in the 1920s. Played part of his career at Torquay and Barnstaple after moving to the south-west from his home country. Died in 1966.
  • Gwyn Richards - fly-half who played for the club in the 1920s after spending much of his early career in his native Wales with the likes of Bridgend RFC and Cardiff RFC. Gained a solitary cap for Wales in 1927 before switching to rugby league. Died in 1985.
  • John Widdicombe - local lad who went on to play for Newport in Wales as well as being called up by Barbarians. Now forwards coach at the club.

[74]

Notes
  1. RFU restructuring of the English rugby union system for the 1993–94 season due to the creation Courage League Division 5 meant that South West 1 became a tier 6 league.
  2. The cancellation of Courage League Division 5 at the end of the 1995–96 season meant that South West 1 once again became a tier 5 league.
  3. Only one team was relegated from South West 1 at the end of the 1998–99 season, meaning that 11th placed Torquay Athletic were kept safe.
  4. RFU restructuring of the English rugby union system for the 2009–10 season saw South West 2 West renamed as South West 1 West.
  5. The 2010–11 season would see the introduction of bonus points into lower league English rugby union (tier 6 and below).
  6. The season was postponed and ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom with Torquay sitting in 7th, having played 20 games and gained 56 points. The remaining games were calculated on a 'best playing record formula', with Torquay remaining in 7th place with 64.97 points.[73]

See also

References
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  2. "Western Times 14/09/1875". www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  3. "Torquay Times 19/08/1876". www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  4. "Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 24/04/1885". www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  5. "Torquay Times 14/05/1886". www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  6. "Victorian Sports Days / Torquay Athletic". Torquay Fans Forum. 21 February 2010.
  7. "Torquay Athletic R.F.C. 1875-1975 Centenary Booklet". Torquay Athletic RFC. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  8. "A history of Torquay Athletic R.F.C." Raymond C Batten. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  9. "18th Season 1889-90" (PDF). Exeter Chiefs Supporters Club. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  10. "DRFU Handbook 2011-12" (PDF). Devon RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  11. "History of Torquay United FC". BBC Devon. 16 October 2009.
  12. "Torquay Athletic The Recreation Ground". Tims 92. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  13. Williams, Tony; Mitchell, Bill (eds.). Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991–92 (4th ed.). Taunton: Football Directories. ISBN 1 869833 15 5.
  14. Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). Courage Clubs Championship. Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. Horsham: Burlington Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN 1873057024.
  15. Wevill, Richard (23 April 2013). "Rugby club reflecting on two glorious moments". Mid Devon Gazette. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  16. Mc Cormack, Stephen (2001). The Official RFU Club Directory 2001–2002 (14th ed.). Harpender: Queen Anne Press. pp. 624–630. ISBN 1 85291 640 0.
  17. "South West 2 West 2002–2003". England Rugby. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  18. "South West Play-Offs". England Rugby. 24 April 2004.
  19. "Final League Tables, 2005–2006". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  20. "Cup final scorer Channing back at Torquay". Torquay Herald Express. 26 November 2008.
  21. "Tribute South West 1 West 2009–2010". England Rugby. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  22. "Dorling upbeat despite play-off loss". Torquay Herald Express. 3 May 2012.
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  25. "Torquay Times 05/05/1882". www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  26. "Exeter & Plymouth Gazette 24/04/1885". www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  27. "Torquay Times 29/10/1886". www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  28. "Torquay Times 23/12/1887". www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  29. "Torquay Times 07/09/1888". www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  30. "Torquay Times 19/09/1890". www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  31. "Recreation Ground". ESPN Cric Info. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  32. Williams, Tony; Mitchell, Bill (eds.). Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991–92 (4th ed.). Taunton: Football Directories. ISBN 1 869833 15 5.
  33. Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). Courage Clubs Championship. Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. Horsham: Burlington Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN 1873057024.
  34. "Final League Tables, 1996–97". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  35. "Final League Tables 1997–98". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  36. "South West 1 1998–1999". England Rugby. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  37. "South West 1 1999–2000". England Rugby. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  38. "South West 1 2000–2001". England Rugby. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  39. "South West 2 West 2001–2002". England Rugby. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  40. "South West 2 West 2002–2003". England Rugby. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  41. "Final League Tables 2003–2004". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  42. "POWERGEN COMPETITIONS". Gloucester Rugby. 14 July 2003.
  43. "Brave effort, but cup run over for Camborne". South West Farmer. 22 January 2004.
  44. "Final League Tables 2004–2005". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  45. "Away days for Swindon sides". The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald. 24 September 2004.
  46. "Final League Tables, 2005–2006". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  47. "Powergen Trophy Results So Far". Rugby Network. 18 October 2005.
  48. "South West 2 West 2006–2007". England Rugby. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  49. "Swindon face trip to Devon". The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald. 21 September 2006.
  50. "South West 2 West 2007–2008". England Rugby. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  51. "EDF Energy National Trophy round 1 draw announced". Rolling Maul. 10 December 2007.
  52. "Borough to face one of Britain's most famous clubs". Peterborough Telegraph. 15 October 2007.
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  57. "Final League Tables 2011–2012". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
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  59. "Final League Tables 2012–2013". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  60. "South West Division Cups". England Rugby. 22 December 2012.
  61. "Final League Tables, 2013–2014". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  62. "Cup winners round 1". Torquay Athletic RFC (Pitchero). 16 November 2013.
  63. "Tribute Western Counties West 2014–2015". England Rugby. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  64. "The Devon Intermediate Cup Results 2014-15". Devon RFU. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  65. "Tribute Western Counties West 2015–2016". England Rugby. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  66. "Devon Intermediate Cup 2015/16 results". Devon RFU. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  67. "Tribute Western Counties West 2016–2017". England Rugby. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  68. "South West Division Cups". England Rugby. 4 February 2017.
  69. "Tribute Western Counties West 2017–2018". England Rugby. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  70. "2017/18 Devon Intermediate Cup/Shield". Devon RFU. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  71. "Tribute Cornwall/Devon 2018–2019". England Rugby. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  72. "2018-19 Devon Intermediate Shield results". Devon RFU. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  73. "RFU confirms league positions". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  74. "Club History". Torquay Athletic RFC. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
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