The History of Buckingham RUFC
From 1947/48 as with most sports, Rugby Union took a back seat to the war years and Buckingham Rugby Club was no exception, playing no games during that time. In 1947, the club was reformed and played on Cornwalls Meadow, an area now more commonly known as Budgen's car park! The land is owned by a Mr. Harry Ward, who lived in Llandudno. The headquarters was what is now the White Hart Hotel and subs were 10s 5d whilst the VPs paid from 10s 6d up to a guinea (21/-).
At the AGM in 1951, there is the first mention of Mr. Anthony Smith, our current president and someone known more fondly to us as Tiger. The President then was George Morgan, father of Alan. The Chairman was Ernie Floyd, the Treasurer was Mr. C.J. Rabett from Westminster Bank who recorded a balance of £38-14s-2d to be carried forward. At the same meeting Mr. R. Wheeler proposed that they cancel the game for the 15th September, owing to the late harvest and it was carried!
The period in the early 1953 was not a good one for Buckingham. With the euphoria of playing again after the war now as good as gone, the Chairman Ernie Floyd reported at the AGM "The future of the club must be seriously considered owing to the lack of players". It was in this season Tiger took over as Fixture Secretary from F. (Rickie) Avister, a position he holds to this day!
An extra-ordinary meeting was called to consider the future of the club. It was eventually agreed in 1954 to soldier on, especially as they were just seeing the first light of major support coming from the Royal Army Ordinance Corps based at Tingewick. It was agreed that, to encourage the ongoing support from the army boys, the team should consist of 10 Buckingham members with at least 5 RAOC members. Not surprisingly Lt Col D.A. Oxenbury was also elected President of the club.
In 1955 the he first Ray Longland XV v Buckingham match took place.
By 1958 things are getting better. Ernie Floyd reports at the AGM that their last season was the best in the club's history: Played 29, won 15, lost 13, drawn 1. Between February and March, all 8 matches were won, scoring 184 points for with only 21 against. This was to be the last AGM at the White Hart as it was agreed that the club were to join up with the Buckingham Town Cricket and Sports Club for the next season. It was also agreed to buy 6 international Super Heavyweight shirts from Lillywhites for £9 14s 6d
An extraordinary meeting in 1962 was called by 8 members to discuss the club holding social activities and even an annual dinner. It was also agreed that they will start up a 2nd XV.
At the AGM in 1951, there is the first mention of Mr. Anthony Smith, our current president and someone known more fondly to us as Tiger. The President then was George Morgan, father of Alan. The Chairman was Ernie Floyd, the Treasurer was Mr. C.J. Rabett from Westminster Bank who recorded a balance of £38-14s-2d to be carried forward. At the same meeting Mr. R. Wheeler proposed that they cancel the game for the 15th September, owing to the late harvest and it was carried!
The period in the early 1953 was not a good one for Buckingham. With the euphoria of playing again after the war now as good as gone, the Chairman Ernie Floyd reported at the AGM "The future of the club must be seriously considered owing to the lack of players". It was in this season Tiger took over as Fixture Secretary from F. (Rickie) Avister, a position he holds to this day!
An extra-ordinary meeting was called to consider the future of the club. It was eventually agreed in 1954 to soldier on, especially as they were just seeing the first light of major support coming from the Royal Army Ordinance Corps based at Tingewick. It was agreed that, to encourage the ongoing support from the army boys, the team should consist of 10 Buckingham members with at least 5 RAOC members. Not surprisingly Lt Col D.A. Oxenbury was also elected President of the club.
In 1955 the he first Ray Longland XV v Buckingham match took place.
By 1958 things are getting better. Ernie Floyd reports at the AGM that their last season was the best in the club's history: Played 29, won 15, lost 13, drawn 1. Between February and March, all 8 matches were won, scoring 184 points for with only 21 against. This was to be the last AGM at the White Hart as it was agreed that the club were to join up with the Buckingham Town Cricket and Sports Club for the next season. It was also agreed to buy 6 international Super Heavyweight shirts from Lillywhites for £9 14s 6d
An extraordinary meeting in 1962 was called by 8 members to discuss the club holding social activities and even an annual dinner. It was also agreed that they will start up a 2nd XV.
