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Bideford
Full nameBideford Rugby Football Club
UnionDevon RFU
Nickname(s)The Chiefs
Founded1926; 98 years ago (1926)
LocationBideford, Devon, England
Ground(s)King George's Field (Capacity: 2,000)
ChairmanLester Bird
Coach(es)Dave Kimberley
League(s)Counties 1 Western West
2023–249th
Team kit
Official website
www.bidefordrugby.co.uk

Bideford RFC is an English Rugby union team formed in 1926. The club is based in Bideford, Devon and operates four senior men's teams, as well as multiple youth, ladies and mini teams. The first team, the Chiefs play in Counties 1 Western West following their relegation from Tribute South West 1 West at the end of the 2017–18 season. The club has a longstanding rivalry with its neighbour, Barnstaple, and the traditional Boxing Day fixture between the two sides often attracts crowds in excess of a thousand supporters.[1] Bideford plays home games at King George's Field.[2]

King George's Field, home of Bideford RFC

History

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Early days

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Bideford was founded in 1926 by local players who had, until then, played for its neighbour, Barnstaple RFC. It was the beginning of a long sporting rivalry between the clubs. Bideford played their first game at Victoria Park against a Barnstaple reserve side. Victoria Park remained Bideford's home ground until 1929 when they moved to the Sports Ground. This ground was shared with the local football side, Bideford AFC.[3] During the 1930s, the club had a degree of success in the Devon Junior Cup (the secondary cup competition for men's rugby at the time), winning the competition in 1933 and 1935.[4] In 1969, Bideford left the Sports Ground and moved to King George's Field, where they currently play.[3] They won the Havill Plate in 1975.[4]

League rugby

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When leagues were introduced for the 1987–88 season, Bideford was placed in Courage Cornwall/Devon, a regional league for Cornish and Devon-based clubs ranked in tier 8 of the English league system.[5][6] In 1992, after four seasons in this division, the club finished as champions and thus were promoted to Tribute Western Counties West.[7] They remained part of Tribute Western Counties West for six years. In the 1997–98 season, they finished last and were relegated,[8] returning to Cornwall/Devon. In 2001, Bideford achieved promotion as runners-up and returned to the Tribute Western Counties West league. This promotion was short-lived; they were relegated the following year after a poor league campaign which saw just 1 win in 22 games.[9] Two years later, Bideford sunk to their lowest ever league ranking and were thus relegated at the end of the 2004–05 season to Devon 1.[10]

The 2006–07 season saw Bideford start to rebuild, and they finished second in the league behind champions Teignmouth, qualifying for a promotion play-off against the runners-up from Cornwall League 1, Liskeard-Looe. Due to a better league record, Bideford had home advantage, and they managed a win, allowing a return to Cornwall/Devon.[11] The next year saw Bideford not only stave off relegation with a mid-table finish, but also win the Devon Junior Cup for the third time, beating Teignmouth 23–7 in the final held at King George's Field.[12] Bideford won the league and cup double during the 2010–11 season, first winning Tribute Devon/Cornwall with 25 wins from 26 games and then outclassing Crediton, 45–12 away, in the final of the Devon Intermediate Cup.[13][14] A second intermediate cup victory followed the next year as Bideford beat Okehampton 51–17 in front of a home crowd of around 400 supporters.[15]

In 2013, Bideford finished second in Western Counties West after losing a competitive title battle with eventual champions St Austell and qualified for the promotion play-off against Western Counties North runners-up, Wells. Despite having to travel to Somerset, Bideford survived a late fight back to clinch promotion.[16] This promotion saw Bideford play in Tribute South West 1 West for the 2013–14 season, which, at tier 6, is the highest level the club have played at.[17] In 2017–18 Bideford were relegated from Tribute South West 1 West after three years in the division, finishing second bottom to drop back down to Tribute Western Counties West.[18]

Ground

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Bideford play at King George's Fields next to Victoria Park on the western banks of the River Torridge, roughly 5 minutes walk from the town centre. Unfortunately as there is no longer a railway station in the town, away supporters will have to rely on car or bus to get to the ground, although there is plenty of parking near by.

The rugby ground consists of an enclosed main pitch with club house and covered standing terrace. There are also several training pitches adjoining Victoria Park for 2nd XV and junior fixtures. The current capacity of the main ground is around 2,000 (all standing), which has been reached on several occasions during the traditional Boxing Day fixture against neighbours Barnstaple.

Season summary

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Season League National Cup(s) County Cup(s)
Competition/Level Position Points Competition Performance Competition Performance
1987–88 Cornwall/Devon (8) 8th 6
1988–89 Cornwall/Devon (8) 5th 10
1989–90 Cornwall/Devon (8)
1990–91 Cornwall/Devon (8)
1991–92 Cornwall/Devon (8) 1st (promoted)[7]
1992–93 Western Counties (7)
1993–94 Western Counties (7)[19][a 1]
1994–95 Western Counties (7)[20]
1995–96 Western Counties (7)[21] 10th 6
1996–97 Western Counties West (7)[a 2] 6th[22] 18
1997–98 Western Counties West (7) 10th (relegated)[8] 8
1998–99 Cornwall/Devon (8) 7th[23] 16
1999–00 Cornwall/Devon (8) 10th[24][a 3] 8
2000–01 Cornwall/Devon (8) 2nd (promoted)[25] 24
2001–02 Western Counties West (7) 3rd[26] 26
2002–03 Western Counties West (7) 10th (relegated)[9] 2
2003–04 Cornwall/Devon (8) 9th[27] 16
2004–05 Cornwall/Devon (8) 12th (relegated)[10] 2
2005–06 Devon 1 (9) 5th[28] 25 Powergen Junior Vase [29]
2006–07 Devon 1 (9) 2nd (promoted via playoff)[30] 40 EDF Energy Junior Vase 6th Round[31][32]
2007–08 Cornwall/Devon 6th[33] 24 EDF Energy Senior Vase 1st round[34][35] Devon Junior Cup Winners
2008–09 Cornwall/Devon 7th[36] 26
2009–10 Cornwall/Devon 6th[37] 30 RFU Senior Vase 6th Round[38][39]
2010–11 Cornwall/Devon (8) 1st (promoted)[13] 123[a 4] Devon Intermediate Cup Winners
2011–12 Western Counties West (7) 3rd[40] 91 Devon Intermediate Cup Winners
2012–13 Western Counties West (7) 2nd (promoted via playoff)[41] 96
2013–14 South West 1 West (6) 8th[17] 59
2014–15 South West 1 West (6) 4th[42] 76 Devon Senior Cup 1st round[43]
2015–16 South West 1 West (6) 5th[44] 73 Devon Senior Cup Semi-finals[45]
2016–17 South West 1 West (6) 11th[46] 48 Devon Senior Cup Semi-finals[47]
2017–18 South West 1 West (6) 13th (relegated)[48] 43 Devon Senior Cup 1st round[49]
2018–19 Western Counties West (7) 10th[50] 49 Devon Senior Shield 6th[51]
2019–20 Western Counties West (7) 8th 62.64[a 5] Devon Senior Shield
2020–21 Western Counties West (7)
Green background stands for either league champions (with promotion) or cup winners. Blue background stands for promotion without winning league or losing cup finalists. Pink background stands for relegation.

Notable former players

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  • James Rogers
  • Roger 'Bill' Hopkins

Honours

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ RFU restructuring due to creating of Courage League Division 5 meant that Western Counties was renamed as South West 2 for the 1993–94 season.
  2. ^ League restructuring meant that Western Counties was split into Western Counties West and Western Counties West.
  3. ^ Despite finishing bottom the 1999–00 Cornwall/Devon league, Bideford escaped the drop as there was no relegation that year.
  4. ^ The 2010–11 season would see the introduction of bonus points into lower league English rugby union (tier 6 and below).
  5. ^ The season was postponed and ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom with Bideford sitting in 8th, having played 21 games and gained 52 points. The remaining games were calculated on a 'best playing record formula', with Bideford remaining in 6th place with 62.64 points.[52]

References

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  1. ^ "Bideford v Barnstaple: Boxing Day rugby derby match preview". North Devon Journal. 24 December 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  2. ^ "Bideford RFC". Bideford RFC. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Bideford Town Council – Victoria Park". Western Morning News. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  4. ^ a b "DRFU Handbook 2011–12" (PDF). Devon RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  5. ^ Stephen Jones, ed. (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89. London: Rothmans Publications Ltd.
  6. ^ Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. Windsor: Burlington Publishing Co Ltd.
  7. ^ a b Williams, T. and Mitchell, B. (1991) Courage Clubs Championship Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991–92. Taunton: Tony Williams.
  8. ^ a b "Final League Tables 1997–98". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Final League Tables 2002–2003". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  10. ^ a b "Final League Tables 2004–2005". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  11. ^ Hooper, Bill. "Bill Hooper's Cornish Roundup". Archived from the original on 1 January 1970. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  12. ^ "RHINO DEVON JUNIOR CUP FINAL". Everything Rugby. 7 April 2008. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  13. ^ a b "Final League Tables 2010–2011". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  14. ^ "Crediton thrashed by Bideford in cup final". This is Devon. 27 April 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  15. ^ "Bideford lift cup again after Olde's hat-trick". Western Morning News. 28 April 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  16. ^ "Wells RFC miss out on promotion after losing play-off against Bideford". Somerset Live. 12 May 2013.[permanent dead link‍]
  17. ^ a b "Final League Tables 2012–2013". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  18. ^ "Tribute South West 1 West 2017–2018". England Rugby. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  19. ^ Jones, Stephen (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994–95. London: Headline Bookline Publishing. p. 448. ISBN 0-7472-7850-4.
  20. ^ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John, eds. (1995). Rothmans Rugby Yearbook 1995–96 (24th ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 179–195. ISBN 0-7472-7816-4.
  21. ^ Cornwall Rugby Football Union 1996–7
  22. ^ "Final League Tables, 1996–97". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  23. ^ "Final League Tables 1998–99". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  24. ^ "Final League Tables 1999–2000". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  25. ^ "Final League Tables 2000–2001". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  26. ^ "Final League Tables, 2001–2002". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  27. ^ "Final League Tables 2003–2004". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  28. ^ "2005–06 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  29. ^ "Powergen Cup Draws". The Wiltshire Gazette & Herald. 17 August 2005.
  30. ^ "2006–07 South-West Division". England Rugby. Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  31. ^ "Billericay RFC vs Bideford RFC – EDF Energy Vase 6th Round". Alamy. 10 February 2007.
  32. ^ "Sport in Brief". The Telegraph. 14 February 2007.
  33. ^ "Final League Tables, 2007–2008". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  34. ^ "RUGBY: College face away trip in EDF Vase". Swindon Advertiser. 14 July 2007.
  35. ^ "Falmouth's poor display is 'bitter pill to swallow'". South West Farmer. 10 October 2007.
  36. ^ "Final League Tables, 2008–2009". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  37. ^ "Final League Tables, 2009–2010". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  38. ^ [ps://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/5032841.rugby-cirencester-crush-bideford-in-vase/ "Fairford go joint top after shock defeat for Pewsey Vale"]. Wilts & Gloucestershire Standard. 27 February 2007.
  39. ^ "Falmouth's poor display is 'bitter pill to swallow'". South West Cups. 27 February 2007.
  40. ^ "Final League Tables 2011–2012". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  41. ^ "Final League Tables 2012–2013". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  42. ^ "Tribute South West 1 West 2014–2015". England Rugby. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  43. ^ "The Devon Senior Cup 2014–15". Devon RFU. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  44. ^ "Tribute South West 1 West 2015–2016". England Rugby. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  45. ^ "Senior Cup results 2015–16". Devon RFU. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  46. ^ "Tribute South West 1 West 2016–2017". England Rugby. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  47. ^ "Devon Senior Cup results 2016/17". Devon RFU. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  48. ^ "Tribute South West 1 West 2017–2018". England Rugby. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  49. ^ "2017/18 Devon Senior & Intermediate Cup/Shield draws". Devon RFU. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  50. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West 2018–2019". England Rugby. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  51. ^ "2018–19 Devon Intermediate Cup results". Devon RFU. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  52. ^ "RFU confirms league positions". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
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