Portsmouth rugby football club
Encyclopedia
Portsmouth Rugby Football Club (PRFC) is a rugby union
club located in Portsmouth
, England.
area. The club grew strongly over the next 15 years with a crowd of 7000 attending their match with Devonport Albion RFC. However it suffered a considerable setback in 1901 when due to a cash crisis the club folded at the end of the season. The Club restarted in 1909 and began to attempt to retrieve its former status. After an enforced hiatus due to WW1
the club restarted slowly but developed over time with the club acquiring a permanent ground firstly at Paulsgrove
and then moving to Rat Lane just behind their present location.
The club remained in this location until World War II
when the club was stopped for the duration of the war. After the end of the hostilities Portsmouth was left with no ground, as Rat Lane had been taken over by the War Office, and found temporary accommodation at a pitch in Denmead
with changing rooms being provided by the Fox and Hounds Public House.
It slowly rebuilt a good reputation and attracted a number of high level players including a future Welsh
and an Irish
International. Matches depended upon the generosity of the Local Council
who provided a pitch at Alexandra Park
.
In the mid 1950s the Local Council mooted a ground share on a 50/50 basis with Portsmouth Football Club at a location behind the Authority Central Depot which had previously been a greyhound
track. However despite local volunteers' efforts to provide drainage to the site this was ultimately unsuccessful and the ground share never came about.
The club finally had a permanent clubhouse
and two pitches in Copnor
but due to drainage issues
this was sold and the club became nomadic for the next few years with various bars doubling up as a clubhouse.
In 1965/6 the club moved to its current location at the rugby camp in Hilsea
behind what had been its original ground in Rat Lane. A clubhouse was built by the members after considerable negotiation with the Ministry of Defence
who owned the rugby camp at the time opening in 1975.
Portsmouth
's First XV are currently playing in London division 1 South.
The club is run from a purpose built clubhouse which opened in 2000 with full disabled access which is currently managed by royale caterers. There is also a junior club house on the same site.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club located in Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, England.
History
PRFC was formed in 1886 from an amalgamation of two of the leading seven local clubs in the PortsmouthPortsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
area. The club grew strongly over the next 15 years with a crowd of 7000 attending their match with Devonport Albion RFC. However it suffered a considerable setback in 1901 when due to a cash crisis the club folded at the end of the season. The Club restarted in 1909 and began to attempt to retrieve its former status. After an enforced hiatus due to WW1
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
the club restarted slowly but developed over time with the club acquiring a permanent ground firstly at Paulsgrove
Paulsgrove
Paulsgrove is an area of northern Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. Paulsgrove existed as a small hamlet on the old Portsmouth to Southampton road for many years. During the early twentieth century Paulsgrove Racecourse was built north of the village on the slopes of Portsdown Hill and a halt built...
and then moving to Rat Lane just behind their present location.
The club remained in this location until World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
when the club was stopped for the duration of the war. After the end of the hostilities Portsmouth was left with no ground, as Rat Lane had been taken over by the War Office, and found temporary accommodation at a pitch in Denmead
Denmead
Denmead is a village in Hampshire, England. It is part of the City of Winchester district. As of 2005, it had a population of 6,457 and an electorate of 4,987....
with changing rooms being provided by the Fox and Hounds Public House.
It slowly rebuilt a good reputation and attracted a number of high level players including a future Welsh
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
and an Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
International. Matches depended upon the generosity of the Local Council
Local Council
A Local Council is a form of local elected government within the districts of Uganda. They were initially established as rebel support structures in the areas controlled by the National Resistance Army of Yoweri Museveni. At this time, they were known as Resistance Councils and proved...
who provided a pitch at Alexandra Park
Alexandra Park
- England :* Alexandra Park, Hastings* Alexandra Park, Ipswich* Alexandra Park, London* Alexandra Park, Manchester* Alexandra Park, Nottingham* Alexandra Park, Oldham* Alexandra Park, Portsmouth* Alexandra Park, Poole- See also :...
.
In the mid 1950s the Local Council mooted a ground share on a 50/50 basis with Portsmouth Football Club at a location behind the Authority Central Depot which had previously been a greyhound
Greyhound racing
Greyhound racing is the sport of racing greyhounds. The dogs chase a lure on a track until they arrive at the finish line. The one that arrives first is the winner....
track. However despite local volunteers' efforts to provide drainage to the site this was ultimately unsuccessful and the ground share never came about.
The club finally had a permanent clubhouse
Clubhouse
Clubhouse is an American drama television series starring Jeremy Sumpter, Dean Cain, Christopher Lloyd, Mare Winningham and Kirsten Storms. The theme song is "Our Lives" by The Calling....
and two pitches in Copnor
Copnor
Copnor is one of the administrative districts of Portsmouth, England, located on the eastern side of Portsea Island. As Copenore, it was one of the three villages listed as being on Portsea Island in the Domesday book....
but due to drainage issues
Leak
A leak is a hole or other opening, usually unintended and therefore undesired, in a container or fluid-containing system, such as a tank or a ship's hull, through which the contents of the container can escape or outside matter can enter the container...
this was sold and the club became nomadic for the next few years with various bars doubling up as a clubhouse.
In 1965/6 the club moved to its current location at the rugby camp in Hilsea
Hilsea
Hilsea is a district of the city of Portsmouth in the English county of Hampshire. Hilsea is home to one of Portsmouth's main sports and leisure facilities - the Mountbatten centre. The City of Portsmouth Boys' School is also in Hilsea...
behind what had been its original ground in Rat Lane. A clubhouse was built by the members after considerable negotiation with the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
who owned the rugby camp at the time opening in 1975.
The current club
PRFC now has 4 senior men's teams, a colts, a veterans team, a women's team (including U16) and a large and thriving junior and mini section.Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
's First XV are currently playing in London division 1 South.
The club is run from a purpose built clubhouse which opened in 2000 with full disabled access which is currently managed by royale caterers. There is also a junior club house on the same site.