1889 - 1900
1889 - Bill Sawyer rode through the Town streets on his penny farthing bicycle proclaiming the birth of Cheltenham Rugby Football Club.
1895 – Within 6 years, Cheltenham rose to become one of the leading sides in the West of England with matches against Bath, Gloucester, Bristol, Leicester, Cardiff and Newport.
1899 – After playing on pitches around the town, including Montpellier and Pitville (rear of the Pump Rooms), Cheltenham took possession of their new ‘Athletic Ground’ in the centre of Town (Albion Street). They remained there for 82 years.
1895 – Within 6 years, Cheltenham rose to become one of the leading sides in the West of England with matches against Bath, Gloucester, Bristol, Leicester, Cardiff and Newport.
1899 – After playing on pitches around the town, including Montpellier and Pitville (rear of the Pump Rooms), Cheltenham took possession of their new ‘Athletic Ground’ in the centre of Town (Albion Street). They remained there for 82 years.
1900-2000
1903 – Cheltenham became members of the Rugby Football Union – Happy 100th!!
1905 – On December 6th, Cheltenham played the mighty ‘All Blacks’ in front of 8,000 spectators, losing only 18 – 0, whereas both Gloucester and Bath succumbed by over 40 points. Another red letter day for the club.
1909 – Cheltenham's first encounter with the famous Barbarians. This acted as the forerunner to the visitors tour to Wales until 1914.
1910 – The Town produced its first International player when L W Hayward played in the centre for England against Ireland at the new Twickenham headquarters.
1930 – Completion of Cheltenham's best ever season. Unbeaten in their 24 consecutive home matches and undefeated by any English side (Played 35, Won 30, Drew 2, Lost 3).
1960 – Cheltenham’s phenomenal service to youth rugby began with the formation of the Colts XV.
1974 – The Town became one of the first Clubs in the country to form a Mini and Junior section, which still flourishes today.
1976 – The 1st XV did not win a match for 19 months – an unenviable feat that made an entry into the Guiness Book of Records!
1981 – In September, Cheltenham moved to a brand-new sports complex at the Prince of Wales Stadium, where they played the world-famous Harlequins to celebrate the occasion.
1990 – The Club formed a Ladies XV which today plays in the National Leagues. This brought the number of Club teams to a staggering count of 18 sides.
1995 – The Professional era of leagues began with Cheltenham ceded to National League Division 4 (South).
1905 – On December 6th, Cheltenham played the mighty ‘All Blacks’ in front of 8,000 spectators, losing only 18 – 0, whereas both Gloucester and Bath succumbed by over 40 points. Another red letter day for the club.
1909 – Cheltenham's first encounter with the famous Barbarians. This acted as the forerunner to the visitors tour to Wales until 1914.
1910 – The Town produced its first International player when L W Hayward played in the centre for England against Ireland at the new Twickenham headquarters.
1930 – Completion of Cheltenham's best ever season. Unbeaten in their 24 consecutive home matches and undefeated by any English side (Played 35, Won 30, Drew 2, Lost 3).
1960 – Cheltenham’s phenomenal service to youth rugby began with the formation of the Colts XV.
1974 – The Town became one of the first Clubs in the country to form a Mini and Junior section, which still flourishes today.
1976 – The 1st XV did not win a match for 19 months – an unenviable feat that made an entry into the Guiness Book of Records!
1981 – In September, Cheltenham moved to a brand-new sports complex at the Prince of Wales Stadium, where they played the world-famous Harlequins to celebrate the occasion.
1990 – The Club formed a Ladies XV which today plays in the National Leagues. This brought the number of Club teams to a staggering count of 18 sides.
1995 – The Professional era of leagues began with Cheltenham ceded to National League Division 4 (South).
2000 - NOW
2003 – The Club began to investigate the possibility of moving to a purpose built ‘Centre of Excellence’ by teaming up with developers for a £4 million state-of-the-art stadium in Swindon Village.
2004 – The Club signed a three lease on former Smiths Industries (now GE Aviation) 19-acre sports ground in Southam.
2006 – Cheltenham are relegated into South West 2 East.
2007 – The Club purchased the freehold of former GE Aviation site.
2010 – The Club was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and Chairman, Steve Ratcliffe and Secretary David Evans were invited to Buckingham Palace.
2012 – Match Standard Floodlights were installed at Newlands Park.
2013 – Rugby Club on RWC2015 Team Base approved list, in partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council. Later advised that we would be Team Base for Argentina, Tonga and Japan - the only amateur rugby club in England to be given the honour of hosting three RWC teams.
2014 – Surrendered Lease at Prince of Wales Stadium after 33 years.
2015 – A new maximum dimension pitch is created at Newlands and heralds a new era of Cheltenham Rugby Club.
July 2015 – Newlands Park hosted the RWC (Webb Ellis Trophy) on Trophy Tour.
July 2015 – Inaugurated new ‘Legacy Field’ – Senior Pitch.
October 2015 – After years of planning Cheltenham RFC played host to Tonga Rugby for the Rugby World Cup. Many of the players were involved in coaching the Minis and Juniors and a Schools Tag Festival.
June 2018 – The AGP was opened.
October 2018 – New changing rooms opened.
June 2019 – Construction of The Huddle our new Gym. Funds received from EU Leader Programme.
2004 – The Club signed a three lease on former Smiths Industries (now GE Aviation) 19-acre sports ground in Southam.
2006 – Cheltenham are relegated into South West 2 East.
2007 – The Club purchased the freehold of former GE Aviation site.
2010 – The Club was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and Chairman, Steve Ratcliffe and Secretary David Evans were invited to Buckingham Palace.
2012 – Match Standard Floodlights were installed at Newlands Park.
2013 – Rugby Club on RWC2015 Team Base approved list, in partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council. Later advised that we would be Team Base for Argentina, Tonga and Japan - the only amateur rugby club in England to be given the honour of hosting three RWC teams.
2014 – Surrendered Lease at Prince of Wales Stadium after 33 years.
2015 – A new maximum dimension pitch is created at Newlands and heralds a new era of Cheltenham Rugby Club.
July 2015 – Newlands Park hosted the RWC (Webb Ellis Trophy) on Trophy Tour.
July 2015 – Inaugurated new ‘Legacy Field’ – Senior Pitch.
October 2015 – After years of planning Cheltenham RFC played host to Tonga Rugby for the Rugby World Cup. Many of the players were involved in coaching the Minis and Juniors and a Schools Tag Festival.
June 2018 – The AGP was opened.
October 2018 – New changing rooms opened.
June 2019 – Construction of The Huddle our new Gym. Funds received from EU Leader Programme.