A WARM WELCOME TO BLACKHEATH FC
Yes, albeit slightly delayed, we are at last delighted to host a league fixture against one of the best known clubs in the rugby world. Blackheath are in the running for promotion back to National 1 come April, so let us make the most of what could well be a unique occasion today and give a traditional warm Knole Paddock welcome to everyone involved with “The Club”.
Not only is Blackheath FC the oldest independent rugby club in existence, but also its representatives have played a significant part in the development of our game locally, nationally, and on an international basis. Blackheath and the Rectory Field hosted the first England v Wales match in 1881 and continued such hospitality until the cabbage patch at Twickenham took over in 1907.
They may have slipped from the pinnacle of the game in recent seasons but how many other clubs can boast an international list of upwards of 250 players while on the books of this world-famous side? Such luminaries as CB Fry and Andrew Stoddart leap out from that long list and, of course, Micky Skinner’s name is still a byword for unadulterated passion, commitment, and “munching” the oppo. He only lives round the corner and his sons have all worn the blue and gold for The Oaks. It will be great to see him here today, maybe with divided loyalties.
This match is on our fixture list thanks to our 21/22 wonder season and Blackheath’s litany of close losses last term; surely 15 losing bonus points in 28 matches must be some sort of record, albeit an unenviable one. By reputation, The Club deserves to be higher up the RFU pyramid and we wish them well apart, of course, from the match today and the return fixture on 17th December.
Our paths have crossed in Cup matches. We have met twice in the Kent Cup, losing 13-26 in 1995 and 17-42 in 2005. However, one of our legendary wins occurred in the National Trophy competition in 1999 when we overturned a strong Blackheath XV 41-40 in the final minutes.
The rapidity of our rise to Level 4 has surprised many, including a sprinkling of our own members. Major decisions have had to be made quickly to comply with the more stringent regulations of National Leagues rugby and to bolster the squad for the serious upgrade in strength and skill that we are encountering. Adam’s team and the whole Oaks Committee have worked long and hard to prepare us for this challenging season. Today’s fixture shows how far we have come and is the type of test that is relished by all of us at SRFC.
Howard Pearl