History

The club was founded in 1926 with the assistance of Barnstaple RFC from a nucleus of Bideford players from that club. The last surviving founder member, Terence Bird died as recently as 1996. The first game was played near Victoria Park against a Barnstaple reserve side.

A more permanent home was found at Bideford Sports Ground in 1929. The first clubhouse was completed in 1954 at a cost of £1,100 and was erected by voluntary labour, (the 'Hungry Thirties'', a national economic slump, and World War II, 1939 - 1945 were delaying factors).

An offer was made by Bideford Town Council to move to the Trust's King Georges's Field, this was accepted in 1967 at a cost of £10,000. In the following years, extensions including a new dining room, kitchen and lounge bar were made at an additional cost of £3,500.

In the Club's earlier junior years, honours were achieved with the winning of the Devon Junior Cup in 1932/33 and in 1934/35 seasons. The success at Exeter in 1950 in the Devon sevens and many other wins in Club sevens tournaments were further achievements.

In 1973 Bideford RFC came there closest to a Devon Senior Final, the semi-final at home to Exeter, the defeat 7-11 was closely contested.

Diamond Jubilee year in 1986 was an appropriately successful season, captained by Simon Berry, managed by Dave Anderson, the Chiefs played 41 matches winning 23. Opponents included: The Harlequins and Bristol United and familiar sides such as Plymouth Albion, Royal Marines, Launceston, Brixham and Barnstaple. The Chiefs even held the Romanian Student National side to draw at Bideford.

In 1988 came the League structure with the club beginning in the Devon and Cornwall, with promotion to the Western Counties league in 1992.

Download the very first copy of Bideford RFC's Committee Minutes