Welcome to the OFFICIAL all new Tiverton R.F.C Website

Rugby was first played in Tiverton in 1868 against Blundell’s School on the edge of the town. Using the school’s own rules there were 20 players in each team, no flags, a referee and two umpires and was known as the “carrying game”. In 1870 the “Rugby Rules” were adopted and for a few years the Tiverton team played not only against the school but also against teams from towns within commuting (horse and cart) distance such as Crediton, Exeter and Wellington.

It was in the 1880’s that rugby really gained a grip in the town. The club took Devon by storm and was regarded as one of the top clubs in the south west.. It was during this period that the Devon R.F.U. started the annual competition for a Cup and it remains a matter of pride that Tiverton will remain forever at the head of the list of teams to have won the Cup since it all started in 1888.

Fortunes found many highs and lows in the decades that followed. At one time rugby seems almost to have been forgotten in the town while at others there were as many as four town clubs competing against each other.

The Devon Cup again came to rest in the club’s trophy cabinet in 1998 following victory over Torquay on their own ground.

There have been other honours too. Three times winners of the pre-league Devon Merit Table in the 1980’s, four times Devon Colts Cup.

The leagues have provided the usual up and downs that most sports clubs enjoy and endure. Starting in 1987 as members of Western Counties the same level has been maintained in all but six of the 21 seasons. Four were spent one level higher when a re-organisation provided South West Two rugby, dropping back again in 2000. A poor season in 2003/04 saw the club spend the next two seasons in the Cornwall & Devon league but promotion was gained in 2006, as champions.

The following two seasons, 2006/07 and 2007/08, have seen the club consolidate itself once more as a good Western Counties side, finishing third and fourth respectively.

Tiverton R.F.C. remains what it has always been, a solid, well organised rugby club - a warm and welcoming place to be involved in rugby. Players come and go. Over the years the vast majority have come from the surrounding area and there have always been the welcome “strangers”, players who have moved into the area, many of whom have enhanced the club’s colour and fabric - an apt phrase for a textile town.

As the Irish will tell you, a stranger is a friend you have yet to meet. The club hopes to meet many more yet.