Cleve RFC
Cleve Rugby Football Club is an English amateur rugby union club founded in 1922 and based in Mangotsfield, Bristol. The club play in the seventh-tier of the English league system; Tribute Western Counties North. They are a member of the Bristol and District Rugby Football Combination, an organisation which promotes junior rugby union in the city of Bristol.
| Full name | Cleve Rugby Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | Gloucestershire RFU | ||
| Founded | 1922 | ||
| Location | Mangotsfield, Gloucestershire, England | ||
| Ground(s) | The Hayfields | ||
| Coach(es) |  Nathan Huntley, Paul Vinicombe | ||
| League(s) | Western Counties North | ||
| 2021–22 | 9th | ||
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| Official website | |||
| www | |||
History
Cleve Rugby Football Club was formed in 1922 as “Cleve RFC Downend”. They played their first game in a field in Staple Hill, which is now Staple Hill Park. The club later moved to Vassells Park in Fishponds, the players changing in the back room of the Full Moon Public House. It was at this time that the club became known simply as “Cleve RFC”. The club purchased a wooden pavilion in November 1934 for £200. When Cleve were forced to move to Bromley Heath Road in Downend in 1939, because of a housing development, their wooden pavilion went with them. In 1947 further land was purchased and was farmed by club members, as a source of income. Eventually, to meet the growing local interest in rugby football, more pitches were developed. Then, between 1969 and 1971, members added more facilities, which carried the club through the next 25 years.
The club badge is based on the coat of arms of the Cave Estate, from whom the ground in Downend was purchased and the ears of wheat acknowledge the club's farming activity after the War. The club motto ‘We sow to reap’ also records these early events but also reflects the club's commitment to providing rugby facilities and coaching for children from the age of 6.
The next milestone in Cleve's history was the club's move to its new clubhouse and grounds in Mangotsfield named ‘The Hayfields’ in September 1997. The club runs three senior sides on Saturdays and all mini and junior levels, from under-7's to colts.
Honours
- Bristol Combination Cup winners (3): 1980, 1983, 1985, 2013
- Gloucester 1 champions: 1994–95
- Western Counties North champions: 2000–01
- South West Division 2 East champions: 2005–06
- South West 1 West champions: 2014–15
Coaching staff
1st XV : Paul Vinicombe
Colts Coach:
Club officials
President : Howard Owen
Chairman : Simon Wilstead
Vice Chairman :Lee Williams
Director of Rugby Adam Shepherd
Hon Secretary : Steve Bracey
Hon Treasurer : Tim Sperrings
Hon Match Secretary : Fred Stapleton
Notable former players
- Ryan Davis – London Wasps
- James Phillips – Exeter Chiefs
- Chris Brooker – Bristol
- Redford Pennycook – Ealing Trailfinders
- Chevvy Pennycook – Moseley/Bristol
- Jack Tovey – Bristol
References