The Past, Present and The Future
The Past
In 1969 a group of local people, mainly businessman and school teachers decided to form Long Eaton RFC. In the first season only 3 games were played before becoming full members of Derbyshire RFU in 1969.
The Club has always played its fixtures on West Park, Long Eaton, and from its early days using local pubs and Parklands Adult Education Centre for several years, it is now based in its own leased Clubhouse on West Park.
The Club has peaked and troughed like many others locally. The two peaks arguably, the mid 70’s before league rugby when Long Eaton were one of the top sides in Derbyshire and then mid to late 90’s when rising the leagues and getting to the semi-final of the Three Counties Cup.
Running two sides by 1971 - and then four senior sides by 1974 - the Club began to flourish. In 1982 the Club started a colt’s section which lasted for three years. The four senior sides continued through until the late nineties. However, due to diminishing numbers over a period of several years, the 1st team dropped through the divisions, until it was resigned to running one side by 2008 and languishing in the bottom division of the three counties league.
By 2014 it was almost impossible to field a team and the situation could not continue; either the Club would ‘fold’, or a new direction and strategy would be needed… and lots of energy & hard work!
The Present
LERFC is proud to have three senior Men’s teams, two senior Women’s teams and 19 boys & girls’ teams, for Colts, Junior Boys & Girls and Mini Rugby Union. Furthermore, the Club has achieved the highest level of accreditation that it can gain from the Rugby Football Union and Club Mark.
We have a very good relationship with Erewash Borough Council, who’s facilities we continue to use on a regular basis; this includes a large section of the changing room block (approximately a third of the building since 1995).
Naturally, with so many teams, the Club continues to increase the number of council-owned pitches of varying sizes; two of the full-sized pitches are floodlit to match standard, and the Club own the floodlights. The main pitch has a spectator stand and perimeter fence around it.
Inside the leased premise, the Club now has a large communal area with a licensed bar, a kitchen, Meeting room, Physio/First Aid room, Store for Equipment, 4 Changing Rooms, and Two Officials' Changing Rooms.
Building connections with Primary & Secondary Schools and Universities, has been crucial to the Club’s renewed success and growth in numbers. Playing members from Long Eaton, Wilsthorpe, Friesland, George Spencer, Chilwell and Trent College schools, plus Derby and Nottingham’s Universities, are benefiting from free coaching and new playing opportunities.
The Men and Women’s 1st Teams are now both at the highest level in the Club’s History.
Onwards and upwards!
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