About Royston Rugby Club
Royston Rugby Union Football Club was founded in 1961 and play on Therfield heath in Royston Hertfordshire. We have two senior teams who play league rugby and a veteran’s side who have regular annual fixtures against a number of teams. The club has a very active social front and has several social functions held throughout the year which are open to everyone. Regular events are live bands discos, raffles and our annually held baseball tournament.
The Aardvark was taken on as a mascot by the Nutters club who were responsible for raising tour funds and has now become part of Royston's logo
In the Forty Three years that Royston have been playing the club has been lucky enough to have members who have represented the club at a good level
Geoff Kelly: A former president of the club joined Bedford Rugby Club during the 1934-35 season. His Bedford debut was at prop against Guy's Hospital on 25th January 1935. He played in a number of war time games, then played regularly after the war during the 1937-38/39 season. In 1945-46 a special series of international matches known as the Victory Series were played by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and New Zealand forces stationed in Britain. Although no caps were awarded, Kelly played six times.
Kelly's first official cap for the England team was on 18th January 1947 against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park. Kelly was one of fourteen players to make their international debut - he was the first Bedford player to be capped after the war. England won that game 9-6.
Kelly's next cap was less memorable. It was against Ireland at Lansdowne Road on 8th February 1947, England lost 22-0. His third cap was against Scotland on a frozen pitch at Twickenham on 15th March 1947.
Kelly was injured and could not complete the 24-5 victory. His last cap was on 17th January 1948 in a 3-3 draw against Wales at Twickenham in front of 73,000 spectators.
Russell Davies: Who represented the club at Herts county level and went on to play for Bedford 1st team in the 1980s
Alun Davies: Who represented the club at Cambs county level in the 80s
Dave Brain: Who played for Royston in the 80s and went on to captain Cambridge and played for Herts at county level
Paul Hughes: Who played for Royston in the 90s and went on to play for Saracens and Herts at county level
Gareth Thomas: A young player who represented the club at Herts county U-16 U-17 U-18 and has attracted interest from Ebbw Vale and Swansea. He also had trials for the Welsh rugby union exiles and was short listed
Jonathan Downes: A member of the club who refereed in the Hong Kong 7s between 1979 and 1983 along side Andy Ripley, Andy Irvine, Clive Woodward and the Ella brothers. Johnathan's highlight was refereeing the semi-final in 1982 between Australia and Fiji. Jonathan also refereed England students v Hong Kong.
