Club History

here is evidence that iron production was going on in north Northamptonshire during the Roman era, based on the local low grade iron ore and fuel supplies in the form of charcoal from Rockingham Forest, which covered much of this area. In the 19th century, several small iron making works were set up in the locality and during the economically depressed years of the early 1930's the tube & steel making company, Stewarts and Lloyds Ltd, opened a large new works based on modern processes at Corby, to make steel and steel tube from the local iron ore. The creation of such a large complex (one of the biggest in Europe) requiring many thousands of workers in what was essentially an agricultural area meant that many of the workers were recruited from outside the region. As part of the company strategy, a number of old works were closed in Scotland, Wales and the English Midlands and the workers were encouraged to 'migrate' to Corby. Stewarts and Lloyds built a housing estate to accommodate these workers and their families, and provided recreational facilities at the 'Welfare' in Occupation Road. Sports 'sections' were set up under the umbrella of Stewarts & Lloyds and many, like ourselves, still retain the name to this day.

Corby Rugby Football Club (later to be known as Stewarts & Lloyds) was officially formed in 1936, after the first match against Kettering in October 1935, and because Rugby was well established in Northamptonshire and the surrounding counties, little difficulty was found in arranging fixtures, though there was resistance shown by some to playing a 'works' side. The main organisers in the early days and right into the 60's were two Welshmen and a Scot - Bert Green, Windsor Genner and Arthur Cooper - 'The Three Wise Men'.

During the Second World War the club was, unlike many others, able to keep playing because many of the members were engaged in vital war work and were not subject to 'call-up' into the armed forces. Most of the games were against forces sides and it is estimated that during the period some 16,000 servicemen played with or against the Club. (Servicemen were given selection priority over regular members).

In the 50's the club was considered to have the finest 7-a-side team in the Midlands and in the 1951/52 season the 1st XV captained by Arthur Savage finished with an unbeaten record P 30 W 25 D 5 L 0. Other team members included Bob Morrison (who went on to play for Northampton) and Tim Phillips - Bob is still active in the club 50 years later! Sadly Tim passed away in June 2002 and will be sorely missed. Also, during the decade, Vic Leadbetter played for the club, before going on to play for Northampton, Cambridge University and England (twice).

In the 60's, a team won the Langholm Junior Sevens - a prestigious Scottish Borders competition, and the club undertook its first foreign tour (1965), a visit to Le Creusot which was a fellow steel making town in France. We also began to play annual games against the other Stewarts and Lloyds teams at S&L's Newport and Clydesdale works. The clubhouse was built in 1965, prior to this players had changed in the cellars of the 'Welfare'.

The 70's saw the founding of the Junior Section in 72/73 and this was a major factor in the build up of the senior playing strength from two to four senior XVs, and formation of a Colts XV. The 1st XV were winners in succeeding seasons of the East Northants Cup and the Peterborough & District Cup.

In the 80's we were given financial independence from our then landlords, the British Steel Corporation, and a long lease for the clubhouse and 1st XV pitch was signed. In 83/84, floodlights were installed, largely through the efforts of the members. On the playing side, the 'highlight' was perhaps when we hosted the East Midlands Final in 1984/85, cruelly losing out to Peterborough to an injury time penalty goal converted from the touch line! On a happier note, we celebrated our Golden Jubilee in the following year with, among other events, a memorable visit from Devonport Services and the inauguration of our Floodlit 2nd XV Knockout Cup competition.

In 1991 we signed a 99 year lease for the clubhouse and 3 pitches, thus securing our future at Occupation Road. The 1st XV continued to maintain its position in the League structure, and in the 1998/99 season the Colts were East Midlands runners-up with 5 of the team going on to play for the 1st XV.

The new millennium has started well - we have twice been runners-up in our league, our best position for several years, narrowly losing to Ilkeston in the promotion playoff in 2000 - 2001 and again in the 2001 - 2002 season to Nottingham Moderns.

Our ambitions have been formalised in our latest 5 year plan:

S&L RFC is a traditional Rugby Club, run by the members for the members. Our constitution gives our object as " to provide facilities for Rugby Football and the social intercourse of our members" and we try to live up to our past reputation as a friendly club after the game, whatever the result. As a consequence of our beginnings, we have an unusual mix of races among the members which certainly gives an extra bite to proceedings when we are following the home internationals and has helped to make us ready to accept and befriend anyone, whatever their race, colour or creed. If you want to play Rugby, you're welcome!

The mini section covers all children from the age 6 to 12. The junior section caters for players up to 16 years of age. Under current rules mixed sex teams can compete at mini level up to the age of 12 after which the young ladies must join a girls only team. We are currently in the process of recruiting and hope to have a girls junior section and ladies section up and running if not during this season by the middle of next.

There is an annual trophy presentation dinner, where all players have to follow the strict dress code of the club. The Senior Club President, Chairman, Secretary and Captain attend the dinner. Various local dignitaries are also invited to speak at the dinner.

In recognition of many years of hard work and dedication to the mini / junior section a new end of season trophy for 2000 - 2001, known as the Evan Martin Merit Cup, was awarded to the team within the mini and junior section with the highest winning avaerage. This trophy is now an annual prize and was awarded by Evan to the under 16's for the second year in succession at the end of the 2001 - 2002 season. Evan himself chooses the winners after watching many games covering all the age groups within the section. At the end of the season each player from 6 - 16 will receives a playing trophy. In addition to this trophies are awarded for 'player of the year' and 'most improved player' within each age group. There is also the 'coaches player trophy' that is awarded to the most outstanding player in each of the mini, midi and junior sections. It gets harder and harder each year for the coaches to pick out the individual players for this award, as players get quicker, learn faster and overall play improves. Very often the coaches feel that all of the players deserve the trophy. Ebbw Vale RTB and Stewarts and Lloyds have common links in the steel industry. Evan Martin and Keith James first started organising tours with Ebbw Vale in the early 70's. This year we celebrated our 27th year of tour rugby with them. Our respective U10's and U12's take part in the tour that we host on alternate years.

Winning is never the issue, it's the taking part and having fun. This is either the children on the pitch or the adults at the night time entertainment, which includes a quiz and games. It's all done purely in the name of rugby fun, friendship and last of all taking part. Previous tours have also covered Driffield near Scunthorpe.

The mini and junior section have had their successes in the past including winning the Mobbs cup in 1979.

For many years Stewarts and Lloyds have realised that the future of the club relies on the intake and retention of players from the mini/junior section. At one point the 1st XV included 13 ex-mini and junior rugby players. This year the mini/junior section committee has worked hard to promote the club.

The mini and junior section runs along the same ethos of the senior section in that we are a club that provides facilities for rugby football and social intercourse of it's players. We hold many social functions for all players, and the parents of these players. Without the backing of the parents, rugby football would not be here in the mini /junior section. Functions include: - A Christmas family party. Although we do not charge the children there is a small fee for parents. We also run an end of season trip for the players, last year we went to Drayton Manor Park.

Any child is welcome to the club; there is a small joining fee for parents (£10) and children (£10), that covers players insurance and membership benefits. The mini/junior section actively encourages any child to play rugby, large, small, fast, slow, male, female.

The section coaches and develops children in the art and discipline of playing rugby football. We will teach you how to play rugby safely, and build the team spirit that is essential to the game. Friends made at rugby are usually friends for life.

So if you want to have fun and get fit, come along and join us at 10 o'clock on Sundays, from September to May, and remember it's not just for boys it's for girls as well.