OUR HISTORY
Long before WW1, Yardley School had a flourishing OLD YARDLEIANS CLUB, it seems that the girls of Yardley Grammar School began it in the Sparkhill Institute on 14th May 1909. The first headmaster of the school MR JOSEPH MALINS; headmaster, 1904-1918), along with Miss Jennings, Miss Thomas and sixteen old girls decided to form the OLD YARDLEIANS GIRLS CLUB, the boys were not too far behind....
Very soon the two amalgamated to form THE OLD YARDLEIANS CLUB
In the autumn term of 1922 Mr H. P. Lunn; headmaster 1918-1940 of Yardley Grammar School, decided that rugby should be played at the school rather than soccer, having played rugby himself for Harlequins.
Results of school matches in the early years were very variable, despite having outstanding players in Eric Cuttriss, Bill Anderson and Horace Johnson.
A flourishing Old Yardleians Club for former pupils already existed with several sub-sections, but nothing for male sporting activities. By 1926 there was talk of forming a rugby section, providing a suitable ground could be found. The Head offered the use of the schools new playing field in Redding’s Lane.
During July 1927 two important meetings were held at the Mikardo Caf in Martineau Street by an ad hoc committee consisting of J. Dawson, E. Cuttriss, R W Roe and C H Coldrick. Plans were drawn up for a general meeting of all the OYs who were interested in the project. At this historic gathering, the Rugby Football Section of the Old Yardleians Club was formed. R. W. Roe became the Secretary, C. H. Coldrick the Treasurer and D. Arnett Club Captain. Subscriptions were fixed at five shillings per season.
The first match was played on the 1st of October 1927 against Old Dixonians Third fifteen.
E. Cuttriss took over the leadership (Capt. 1928-30) but returned to Nuneaton RFC in 1930. L. Pearson (Capt. 1930-1932) but it was during L. Pearson’s captaincy in 1931 when the rugby section saw a turn of events, which would shape the future of Old Yardleians Rugby for decades to come.
During 1931 the rugby section were told by YARDLEY GRAMMER SCHOOL that they could no longer use the school fields, and it soon became apparent that if a new ground was found the main Old Yardleians Club would not be able to financially assist, so it was resolved that the rugby section would continue as a separate club. This was when OLD YARDLEIANS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB became a separate club.
B.G. Friars enthusiasm and influence founded a rugby pitch at BILLESLEY COMMON and by September 1931 sufficient money was raised to pay the rent on the new pitch. C.H Coldrick became the Treasurer, and money was raised week by week to run the club which provided great anxiety.
In June 1936 Old Yardleians secured the grounds at WINDEREMERE ROAD, but well before then E. Cuttriss had returned to OLD YARDLEIANS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB in 1932, where he remained captain till 1938.
During 1937-1938 Old Yardleians RFC, as we know it today, engaged in raising funds for a Pavilion on its own grounds at WINDERMERE ROAD.
In November 1958 the decision was made to find a new ground. A major step forward in October 1962 of an offer of one of the fields at BETTERIDGES BAR, TILEHOUSE LANE was made by Jack Horne, and then work commenced to build a brick-built clubhouse by the members themselves and the first match at Tilehouse Lane was played in September 1965.
On 27th of August 1966 a new constitution conforming to the Rules of a Members Club was adopted. The new premises built at a cost of a little over £5,000 had taken two years of hard work and completely dominated the lives of those involved. The first function in the clubroom was held on Saturday the 3rd of September 1966.
In 2000 it was decided to apply to have the club incorporated under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965. This meant that a new set of rules were adopted and we became Old Yardleians Rugby Football Club Limited.
In 2005 major expansion of the clubhouse and changing rooms took place managed by Tony Fitzgerald, followed by an extension of the kitchen facilities with the help of a Sport England grant and Mike Neary.
