CLUB HISTORY

A Short History of Grasshoppers Rugby Football Club.

Grasshoppers Rugby Football Club was founded in 1950 made up of 6 players (founders) 3 college students and 11 novices with training held on Ealing Common.

1956 saw the Grasshoppers open up their first ground just off Greenford Ave but had to leave in 1959 due to vandalism to the pitch and clubhouse.

From 1960 to 1975 Grasshoppers were based at the Dysart Arms in Richmond and used 3 pitches in Richmond Park.

These facts have been taken from a short historical piece, written by Grasshoppers RFC President and Founder Member, Fred Hallows. It is interesting to note that the piece refers to Grasshoppers, back in 1960, ‘realising that the future of the club depended on developing good young players’ and in that year the first Colts team was formed.

The same realisation is true today.

During the 1973/4 season Grasshoppers were asked to leave the Dysart Arms as the club had become too big to accommodate (5 senior teams and Colts).

1974 saw Grasshoppers move to the Pyrene Club at Wood Lane, Osterley.

In 1987 Grasshoppers moved from there to its current location at MacFarlane Lane, Osterley. Over the last 20 or so years at MacFarlane Lane, Grasshoppers RFC has hosted a number of ‘other’ sports including golf, women’s netball and more recently archery and rugby league as well as always having a vibrant Social section.

The last 6 years or so has also seen the development of a very important and thriving Mini & Junior rugby section.

Throughout the 80’s and 90’s period Grasshoppers consistently continued to field four or five senior teams.