The appetite for rugby football in Sevenoaks began in 1906 after its introduction to The New Beacon School by Major Frank Norman, and then later to Sevenoaks School by Geoffrey Garrod.

Interest increased further after World War I and in a meeting at Sevenoaks School on 27th March, 1925 Sevenoaks Rugby Club was founded. Mr J Ridge chaired and other attendees included, among others, Lord Sackville, Major Frank Norman, Humphrey Crum-Ewing and Harry Michell our first captain.

The team colours of navy blue and hunting yellow were agreed, and an annual subscription of 15 shillings (75p) was fixed. The serious business of actually playing began in October 1925 with a win against Lensbury, and soon a 2nd XV was formed in that inaugural season.

The original ground was in Hitchen Hatch Lane. In 1926 the Club agreed with Knole Estate to purchase Knole Paddock for £1,350, about £105,000 in today’s money. However, Sevenoaks Urban District Council muscled in and purchased the full ten acres site themselves, while granting the Rugby Club the use of the rugby pitches in perpetuity for a then £30 annual rent.

Prior to World War II Sevenoaks RFC enjoyed a golden period in playing terms. In 1935 Harry Michell played for London against the touring All Blacks and Guy Hudson played as an England triallist after moving to Blackheath and then Harlequins.

After the war matches recommenced in October 1945. Initially, The Vine Cricket Club made their facilities available for changing and socialising, then a plot was prepared in the centre of The Paddock for a large timber hut to be transported from the Sennocke Hotel. Thanks to the efforts of many members, and specifically Gordon Mann, Norman Golds and Gordon Symes, this edifice was opened as our first actual clubhouse on 20 September, 1952. Sevenoaks Council also made provision for changing facilities beside it, so all was set fair for the second half of the century.

Some time during the ‘50s a fresh faced Robert Horner joined SRFC to start a most distinguished senior playing, refereeing and administration rugby career. Robert’s journey culminated at the pinnacle of England’s success as he was the incumbent President of the RFU when England won the World Cup in 2003.

By the early ‘70s the famous old timber hut was looking distinctly the worse for wear. After much planning, fund raising and negotiations with the town and District Councils, it was agreed that a brand new clubhouse could be built on the present site. On 17th September 1978 the tireless efforts of so many members were rewarded with the official opening. It was noted at the time that Alan Finlay on the finance side and Peter Hunt with his building expertise were the beating hearts of the project, with great assistance from others, especially Hugh Lavers and Ian Wood.

Next we leap forward to this century and in 2008 the then Chairman Lee Adamson’s vision of extensions to and modernising of our Clubhouse started to take shape. It took three years to achieve but on 11th November 2011 Sir Michael Fallon MP did the formal opening honours. Stephen Manley was the team’s overall leader, with Peter Hunt (construction), Howard Pearl (finance) and David Williams and Ian Wood as integral consultants. Once again the whole Club were involved in this effort, personified by the Donations Brick Wall in the Clubhouse which shows the names of the young and not so young of SRFC who all made individual donations.

Fast forward again to 2015 and, under the supervision of Chairman Trevor Nicholson and President Mike Wooldridge, not only were further extensions made but the 1st XV pitch was brought over to the front of the Clubhouse; this had been an ambition since anyone can remember. This pitch move has since brought huge benefits in crowd atmosphere and it has allowed many more spectators to enjoy quality rugby in comparative comfort.

Reverting to the on-field activities, in the 50s the player base increased rapidly. A good number of Schoolboy, Under 18 and Under 21 matches were arranged and by the early 60s six senior section teams turned out every Saturday.

1962 saw the start of our annual Norman Memorial Trophy Sevens Tournament, which soon attracted the top sides as preparation for the Twickenham Sevens which always used to be the culmination of the national season. By the ‘70s household names at the time such as JPR Williams, Mervyn Davies, John Taylor and Alastair McHarg honed their Sevens skills at The Paddock and went on to win at Twickenham.

In 1965 Gordon Mann, who was instrumental in delivering the first clubhouse noted earlier, presented a trophy to be played for annually between Tonbridge and Sevenoaks rugby clubs. Not all such trophies last the distance, but this one still exists and is strenuously contested whenever our 1st XVs clash.

Following an invitation from Pontoise, the first of the biannual epic tours to our French twin town took place in 1966. Our last major trip was in 1986 before leagues rugby took over. These tours were reciprocated by their visits to us, all on the same weekends as the then 5 Nations international match between the two countries. History doesn’t relate who made the original arrangements, but the likes of Larry Coleman, Nick Walker and Willy Pickance certainly left indelible impressions on both sides of the Channel. Although SRFC does not organise regular tours, there were some to Yorkshire and beyond in the ‘60s and 70s. A couple of major ones, to Australia in 1992 and The Cayman Islands in 1996 left lasting memories for all those involved.

In 1978 Howard Pearl and Peter Thompson started our Mini Rugby section. From a first week registration of just 35, covering four age groups from Under 9 to 12, that number had grown to 120 by the end of that first season. This project expanded rapidly and, thanks to the efforts of so many present and past players and Mums and Dads over the ensuing 48 seasons, it is now acknowledged as one of the country’s largest and best run Mini and Junior Sections.

The junior section jumped on the tour bandwagon with most age groups now travelling away every May Bank holiday weekend. In 2015, the whole junior and mini section took part in a world record breaking tour with c.1,000 players, parents and coaches taking the Barnstable RFC West Coast Festival by storm. There have even been overseas junior tours with the U15 tours to Lyon in 2022 and Lille in 2025 being very memorable for all tourists.

Stemming directly from the success of these age groups, the Academy section, essentially Chris Birch’s brainchild, was formed in 2001/02 under Peter Hunt’s chairmanship to provide the link between Junior and Senior sections, and keep early school leavers interested. Out of little acorns has grown a conveyor belt of quality players and teams to make any Rugby Club proud. We secured the first ever National Junior title for club and county by winning the National Under 17s Plate at Franklins Gardens in April 2010. Individually and to date we have produced no less than four full England international players from our junior ranks: David Flatman (2000-02), Andy Titterrell (2004-07), Tom May (2009) and Ben Earl (2020 with more to come).

In 1992 an intrepid band of members organised a Womens team for the first time. While this venture did not see out that decade, we did achieve success. Four of our players were selected for Kent, including Hils Everitt who captained the County team. In recent seasons that dream has come alive again. Under Grant Scandling’s astute handling and coaching, Sevenoaks Womens now look to be here to stay, and a force to be reckoned with.

Leagues rugby started in 1987/88 and Sevenoaks were placed in Kent 1 - Level 8. Opponents were played just once and, for the first five seasons, there were just 10 league matches. This increased as leagues grew in popularity and in 2000/01 all divisions moved to playing the opposition home and away.

After a sticky start, Sevenoaks eventually broke out of the Kent divisions in 1995 to join the expanded South East Section. For the next 24 seasons we oscillated between Levels 7 and 6 before promotion to Level 5 in 2019. During that time we appeared in two Kent Cup Finals and won the trophy in 1997 for the first and only time. Click this link to read all our league stats from 1987/88 to the present day!

Another first was achieved in 1993 when Chris Birch and Rob Hunt put themselves forward to be our first 1 st XV managers, which allowed the coaching team to concentrate their efforts on the pitch and brought stability and cohesion to the whole operation.

We appointed our first Head Coach in 1984 and have had fifteen more since. All head coaches in the leagues era have had their successes with promotions or, in more desperate times, avoiding relegations. However, with Adam Bowman in the driving seat from 2016, the last nine seasons have brought professionalism and dedication to Sevenoaks rugby which has elevated us to heights we would not have contemplated previously.

In the 2022/23 season Sevenoaks were promoted to National League 2 East achieving the status of playing level 4 rugby for the first time in its history. We shall open our 100th anniversary celebration year at a rugby playing point higher than anything achieved previously.

We have been well served by 18 Presidents, 22 Chairmen, 26 Hon Secretaries and 24 Hon Treasurers over the past century. The present Committee, headed by Messrs Mike Wooldridge, Steve Fitzmaurice, and Nick Thompson bear comparison with all before them as they guide us into the next 100 years.

Many more names could be mentioned. Suffice it to say that the lists of officers, players, trophy winners and current vice presidents, which appear elsewhere, have all played their part in our history and are a microcosm of everyone who has enjoyed the sport and camaraderie at Sevenoaks RFC since 1925. Click here to see our roll of honour, international honours, league appearance centurions and current management team.

Heading into our Centenary Season we are proud of our rugby offerings - from U5 boys’ and girls’ teams, through to our thriving boys’ and girls’ academies. With three competitive senior men’s teams and two senior women’s squads, our club continues to grow stronger at every level of the game.