Devonport Services R.F.C.
| Full name | Devonport Services Rugby Football Club |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Sporting Blues |
| Founded | 1904 |
| Location | Plymouth, Devon, England |
| Region | Devon RFU |
| Ground(s) | The Rectory Field (Capacity: 2,000) |
| Chairman | Captain Martyn Williams RN |
| President | David Lister |
| Coach(es) | Bryan Crichton |
| League(s) | Tribute Western Counties West |
| 2016-17 | 3rd |
| Official website | |
| www |
|
Devonport Services Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union team based in Plymouth, Devon. The club was originally called United Services Devonport and had their first recorded match back in 1904. Devonport Services play their homes games at the Rectory Field and their strip and club colours are dark blue and red. They are currently competing in Tribute Western Counties West at tier 7 of the English rugby union league system.
Once open to the members of the British Armed Forces only, the rules have been relaxed since the mid 1990's, therefore allowing civilians to play alongside serving armed forces players. However, the club rules stipulate that at least 50% of the club's senior squad playing must be members of the Armed Forces - mainly from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. As well as first team the club runs 2nd and 3rd teams, colts, and the occasional Vets team. There are also multiple youth teams for boys (7-16) and girls (15-18).
Although the beginnings of the club are hazy they were certainly established during the first decade of the 20th century. The team, then known as United Services Devonport, was initially open to officers of the British Armed Forces, with the first recorded match being on 1 October 1904 when Services played out a 2-2 draw against Plymouth RFC (a parent club of Plymouth Albion) in front of a crowd of 6,000. During the early stages of the club the team did not perform particuylarly well until 1912 when the club opened its playing membership to other ranks in the military and results improved dramatically.
The first mention of the club using the current name of Devonport Services with any regularity was around 1910/1911, although occasionally the press covering games would call them United Services leading to a degree of confusion. In 1912 the club got given its nickname "The Sporting Blues" by the South Wales Echo who used this name as part of their headline when covering the Services game away to Swansea. The Services initially played home games at Keyham, owned by the RNEC but during 1920s they moved to the Rectory Field in Devonport. The Rectory Field had previously been occupied by Devonport Albion, who were the strongest side in Devon during the early 20th century, but the ground was sold for £6,500 to the Navy in 1920. In the same year Devonport Albion merged with Plymouth RFC to form Plymouth Albion and subsequently moved to Beacon Park. In 1928 the Rectory Field was procured by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Sports Control Board who rented it out to Devonport Services who have remained there ever since.
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