The club was formed in 1928 as Grays Rugby Football Club, by L T (Jack) Edwards. The home games were played at Orsett, using changing facilities in a barn behind the Whitmore Arms until the outbreak of war in 1939.
After the war the name was changed to Thurrock Rugby Football Club to reflect the wider area from which players were drawn. A short time was spent at the United Services Club in Stanford before the club base moved to the R.A.F.A. Club in Southend Road, Grays. Money was then raised to build the former clubhouse in Long Lane, which was opened in January 1966.
Thirteen years were spent at this clubhouse, where the number of teams increased to six senior sides and a Colts XV. The stage was set for the ‘Successful Seventies’ when Thurrock was undoubtedly the top club in Essex.
The natural progression was to bring together the playing and social facets of club activity under one roof. Work started in September 1978 and by January 1979 the present clubhouse was occupied. The official opening was in October 1979 by R.F.U. President, A W Ramsay, when a host of international players entertained a crowd of 2000 plus.
From using changing facilities in a barn behind the Whitmore Arms, Orsett, the club has improved its position to its present day location. 73 years on, the club boasts fine facilities - 2 squash courts, 8 changing rooms, a gym, an on-site physio, a conference room, large kitchen and preparation room, shop, lounge and function room, while outside there are 3 pitches and a 150 seater grandstand. These represent probably the best facilities of a Junior Rugby Club, not just in Essex, but also in the whole of the South of England.
Our involvement with the community includes hosting the annual S.A.R.A.H. Disabled Sports Day, providing full facilities for the Grays Carnival and weekly Senior Citizens Club meetings and annual Christmas Dinner. The Conference room is available for hire for up to 20 persons and functions including catering facilities can be accommodated out of season for special occasions.
At present in London League 2N, they are coached by Tim Hughes and Leon White. Past glories include winning the Essex Cup a record 7 times, and a hat trick of Eastern Counties Cups. Thurrock was the first Eastern Counties team to play in the first round of the John Player Cup. We also reached the final rounds of the Middlesex Sevens at Twickenham, where we played London Scottish. The high point in the first team’s history so far has to be when they beat London Irish at home 16 - 10 in a Pilkington Cup game in 1991 and had much media coverage as giant killers. In the 99/00 season they reached the 4th round of the Tetley Cup going out in spectacular fashion at Harlequins! Recently they were Essex Champions once again at the end of the 2004/05 season.
Thurrock are proud of their newest addition to the rugby teams, Thurrock’s T-Birds. The Ladies rugby team had a flying start in their first season, playing teams from as far away as Newbury and Cardiff, and finished off in style with a tour to Amsterdam where they were entered in an International Sevens Tournament. Having been promoted to Division SE 2 this season, they are always on the lookout for more enthusiastic participants to join them. Training is on Wednesday nights and anyone interested should contact Deb for details on 01375 406800.
This is a very strong section of the club, boasting sides for each year from Under 7s through to Under 18s. The Mini Festival is very highly regarded and places to attend each year are keenly contested.
© 2006
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