Bideford RFC explained

Teamname:Bideford
Fullname:Bideford Rugby Football Club
Nickname:The Chiefs
Location:Bideford, Devon, England
Capacity:2,000
Chairman:Lester Bird
Coach:Dave Kimberley
Position:9th
Url:https://www.bidefordrugby.co.uk
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Bideford RFC is an English Rugby union team formed in 1926. The club is based in Bideford, Devon and operates four senior men's teams, as well as multiple youth, ladies and mini teams. The first team, the Chiefs play in Counties 1 Western West following their relegation from Tribute South West 1 West at the end of the 2017–18 season. The club has a longstanding rivalry with its neighbour, Barnstaple, and the traditional Boxing Day fixture between the two sides often attracts crowds in excess of a thousand supporters.[1] Bideford plays home games at King George's Field.[2]

History

Early days

Bideford was founded in 1926 by local players who had, until then, played for its neighbour, Barnstaple RFC. It was the beginning of a long sporting rivalry between the clubs. Bideford played their first game at Victoria Park against a Barnstaple reserve side. Victoria Park remained Bideford's home ground until 1929 when they moved to the Sports Ground. This ground was shared with the local football side, Bideford AFC.[3] During the 1930s, the club had a degree of success in the Devon Junior Cup (the secondary cup competition for men's rugby at the time), winning the competition in 1933 and 1935.[4] In 1969, Bideford left the Sports Ground and moved to King George's Field, where they currently play.[3] They won the Havill Plate in 1975.[4]

League rugby

When leagues were introduced for the 1987–88 season, Bideford was placed in Courage Cornwall/Devon, a regional league for Cornish and Devon-based clubs ranked in tier 8 of the English league system.[5] [6] In 1992, after four seasons in this division, the club finished as champions and thus were promoted to Tribute Western Counties West.[7] They remained part of Tribute Western Counties West for six years. In the 1997–98 season, they finished last and were relegated,[8] returning to Cornwall/Devon. In 2001, Bideford achieved promotion as runners-up and returned to the Tribute Western Counties West league. This promotion was short-lived; they were relegated the following year after a poor league campaign which saw just 1 win in 22 games.[9] Two years later, Bideford sunk to their lowest ever league ranking and were thus relegated at the end of the 2004–05 season to Devon 1.[10]

The 2006–07 season saw Bideford start to rebuild, and they finished second in the league behind champions Teignmouth, qualifying for a promotion play-off against the runners-up from Cornwall League 1, Liskeard-Looe. Due to a better league record, Bideford had home advantage, and they managed a win, allowing a return to Cornwall/Devon.[11] The next year saw Bideford not only stave off relegation with a mid-table finish, but also win the Devon Junior Cup for the third time, beating Teignmouth 23–7 in the final held at King George's Field.[12] Bideford won the league and cup double during the 2010–11 season, first winning Tribute Devon/Cornwall with 25 wins from 26 games and then outclassing Crediton, 45–12 away, in the final of the Devon Intermediate Cup.[13] [14] A second intermediate cup victory followed the next year as Bideford beat Okehampton 51–17 in front of a home crowd of around 400 supporters.[15]

In 2013, Bideford finished second in Western Counties West after losing a competitive title battle with eventual champions St Austell and qualified for the promotion play-off against Western Counties North runners-up, Wells. Despite having to travel to Somerset, Bideford survived a late fight back to clinch promotion.[16] This promotion saw Bideford play in Tribute South West 1 West for the 2013–14 season, which, at tier 6, is the highest level the club have played at.[17] In 2017–18 Bideford were relegated from Tribute South West 1 West after three years in the division, finishing second bottom to drop back down to Tribute Western Counties West.[18]

Ground

Bideford play at King George's Fields next to Victoria Park on the western banks of the River Torridge, roughly 5 minutes walk from the town centre. Unfortunately as there is no longer a railway station in the town, away supporters will have to rely on car or bus to get to the ground, although there is plenty of parking near by.

The rugby ground consists of an enclosed main pitch with club house and covered standing terrace. There are also several training pitches adjoining Victoria Park for 2nd XV and junior fixtures. The current capacity of the main ground is around 2,000 (all standing), which has been reached on several occasions during the traditional Boxing Day fixture against neighbours Barnstaple.

Season summary

SeasonLeagueNational Cup(s)County Cup(s)
Competition/LevelPositionPointsCompetitionPerformanceCompetitionPerformance
1987–88 Cornwall/Devon (8) 8th 6
1988–89 Cornwall/Devon (8) 5th 10
1989–90 Cornwall/Devon (8)
1990–91 Cornwall/Devon (8)
1991–92 Cornwall/Devon (8) 1st (promoted)
1992–93 Western Counties (7)
1993–94 Western Counties (7)[19]
1994–95 Western Counties (7)[20]
1995–96 Western Counties (7)[21] 10th 6
1996–97 Western Counties West (7) 6th[22] 18
1997–98 Western Counties West (7) 10th (relegated) 8
1998–99 Cornwall/Devon (8) 7th[23] 16
1999–00 Cornwall/Devon (8) 10th[24] 8
2000–01 Cornwall/Devon (8) 2nd (promoted)[25] 24
2001–02 Western Counties West (7) 3rd[26] 26
2002–03 Western Counties West (7) 10th (relegated) 2
2003–04 Cornwall/Devon (8) 9th[27] 16
2004–05 Cornwall/Devon (8) 12th (relegated) 2
2005–06 Devon 1 (9) 5th[28] 25 [29]
2006–07 Devon 1 (9) 2nd (promoted via playoff)[30] 40 6th Round[31] [32]
2007–08 6th[33] 24 1st round[34] [35] Winners
2008–09 7th[36] 26
2009–10 6th[37] 30 6th Round[38] [39]
2010–11 Cornwall/Devon (8) 1st (promoted) 123 Winners
2011–12 Western Counties West (7) 3rd[40] 91 Winners
2012–13 Western Counties West (7) 2nd (promoted via playoff)[41] 96
2013–14 South West 1 West (6) 8th 59
2014–15 South West 1 West (6) 4th[42] 76 1st round[43]
2015–16 South West 1 West (6) 5th[44] 73 Semi-finals[45]
2016–17 South West 1 West (6) 11th[46] 48 Semi-finals[47]
2017–18 South West 1 West (6) 13th (relegated)[48] 43 1st round[49]
2018–19 Western Counties West (7) 10th[50] 49 6th[51]
2019–20 Western Counties West (7) 8th 62.64
2020–21 Western Counties West (7)
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.

Notable former players

Honours

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bideford v Barnstaple: Boxing Day rugby derby match preview . North Devon Journal . 24 December 2016 .
  2. Web site: Bideford RFC . Bideford RFC . 9 February 2017 .
  3. Web site: Bideford Town Council – Victoria Park . Western Morning News. 9 February 2017 .
  4. Web site: DRFU Handbook 2011–12 . Devon RFU. 30 January 2017 .
  5. Book: Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89. 1988. Rothmans Publications Ltd. London. Stephen Jones.
  6. Book: Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. 1990. Burlington Publishing Co Ltd. Windsor. Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell.
  7. Williams, T. and Mitchell, B. (1991) Courage Clubs Championship Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991–92. Taunton: Tony Williams.
  8. Web site: Final League Tables 1997–98. Trelawny's Army. 1 September 2014.
  9. Web site: Final League Tables 2002–2003. Trelawny's Army. 1 September 2014.
  10. Web site: Final League Tables 2004–2005. Trelawny's Army. 1 September 2014.
  11. Web site: Hooper. Bill. Bill Hooper's Cornish Roundup. https://web.archive.org/web/19700101010101/http://trelawnysarmy.wordpress.com/2007/04/. 23 August 2014. dead. 1970-01-01.
  12. Web site: RHINO DEVON JUNIOR CUP FINAL . Everything Rugby . 7 April 2008 .
  13. Web site: Final League Tables 2010–2011 . Trelawny's Army. 1 September 2014 .
  14. Web site: Crediton thrashed by Bideford in cup final . This is Devon . 27 April 2011 .
  15. Web site: Bideford lift cup again after Olde's hat-trick . Western Morning News . 28 April 2012 .
  16. Web site: Wells RFC miss out on promotion after losing play-off against Bideford. Somerset Live. 12 May 2013.
  17. Web site: Final League Tables 2012–2013. Trelawny's Army. 1 September 2014.
  18. Web site: Tribute South West 1 West 2017–2018. England Rugby. 21 April 2018.
  19. Book: Jones. Stephen. Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95. 1994. Headline Bookline Publishing. London. 0-7472-7850-4. 448.
  20. Book: Cleary. Mick. Griffiths. John. Rothmans Rugby Yearbook 1995–96. 1995. Headline Book Publishing. London. 0-7472-7816-4. 179–195. 24th.
  21. Cornwall Rugby Football Union 1996–7
  22. Web site: Final League Tables, 1996–97. Trelawny's Army. 1 September 2014.
  23. Web site: Final League Tables 1998–99. Trelawny's Army. 1 September 2014.
  24. Web site: Final League Tables 1999–2000. Trelawny's Army. 26 January 2017.
  25. Web site: Final League Tables 2000–2001. Trelawny's Army. 1 September 2014.
  26. Web site: Final League Tables, 2001–2002. Trelawny's Army. 1 September 2014.
  27. Web site: Final League Tables 2003–2004. Trelawny's Army. 26 January 2017.
  28. Web site: 2005–06 South-West Division. England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. 2 May 2017.
  29. Web site: Powergen Cup Draws . The Wiltshire Gazette & Herald . 17 August 2005 .
  30. Web site: 2006–07 South-West Division. England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. 2 May 2017.
  31. Web site: Billericay RFC vs Bideford RFC – EDF Energy Vase 6th Round . Alamy . 10 February 2007 .
  32. Web site: Sport in Brief . The Telegraph . 14 February 2007 .
  33. Web site: Final League Tables, 2007–2008. Trelawny's Army. 1 September 2014.
  34. Web site: RUGBY: College face away trip in EDF Vase . Swindon Advertiser . 14 July 2007 .
  35. Web site: Falmouth's poor display is 'bitter pill to swallow' . South West Farmer. 10 October 2007 .
  36. Web site: Final League Tables, 2008–2009. Trelawny's Army. 1 September 2014.
  37. Web site: Final League Tables, 2009–2010. Trelawny's Army. 1 September 2014.
  38. Web site: [ps://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/5032841.rugby-cirencester-crush-bideford-in-vase/ Fairford go joint top after shock defeat for Pewsey Vale ]. Wilts & Gloucestershire Standard . 27 February 2007 .
  39. Web site: Falmouth's poor display is 'bitter pill to swallow' . South West Cups. 27 February 2007 .
  40. Web site: Final League Tables 2011–2012. Trelawny's Army. 1 September 2014.
  41. Web site: Final League Tables 2012–2013. Trelawny's Army. 1 September 2014.
  42. Web site: Tribute South West 1 West 2014–2015. England Rugby. 25 July 2016.
  43. Web site: The Devon Senior Cup 2014–15 . Devon RFU . 8 November 2018 .
  44. Web site: Tribute South West 1 West 2015–2016. England Rugby. 25 July 2016.
  45. Web site: Senior Cup results 2015–16 . Devon RFU . 8 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20160617130246/https://www.devonrfu.com/devon_senior_cup_draw_2015-16. June 17, 2016 .
  46. Web site: Tribute South West 1 West 2016–2017. England Rugby. 26 April 2017.
  47. Web site: Devon Senior Cup results 2016/17 . Devon RFU . 8 November 2018 .
  48. Web site: Tribute South West 1 West 2017–2018. England Rugby. 21 April 2018.
  49. Web site: 2017/18 Devon Senior & Intermediate Cup/Shield draws . Devon RFU . 8 November 2018 .
  50. Web site: Tribute Western Counties West 2018–2019. England Rugby. 13 April 2019.
  51. Web site: 2018–19 Devon Intermediate Cup results . Devon RFU . 4 May 2019 .

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