GILLINGHAM ANCHORIANS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

As an ex-captain and chairman, I have been asked to write a brief history of
the GARFC.

The 1st team is currently playing in Kent Division 1 - and we have a very
good coaching staff.

We invite players of any standard; anyone wishing to learn the game, and
non-players to join us to play or just enjoy the excellent facilities of the
club and the camaraderie that rugby football engenders.  We currently field
four teams so you do not have to be an ex-international to get a game -
although ex-internationals are also welcome!

Who are we?  Here is a brief history:

The Gillingham Anchorians RFC has developed from what was originally The Old
Anchorians RFC which was formed in 1928 by former pupils of Gillingham
County School in Third Avenue Gillingham. The school later became Gillingham
Grammar School moving in 1975 to merge into The Howard School at Rainham. 
Membership of the Old Anchorians RFC was originally confined strictly to
ex-pupils and masters of the school.

Old Boys' rugby was very strong in the 50s and 60s, most grammar and public
schools producing teams. Even the occasional county player and international
came from Old Boys' teams.

Around the 70s the national workforce became much more mobile, that together
with more ex-pupils going to university, Old Boys' clubs found it more and
more difficult to rely purely on ex-pupils to fill their teams. Many
consequently opened their doors to "outsiders". Initially this was met with
some resistance from the die-hards of the Old Boys' Associations and the
Anchorians were no different. Eventually most bowed to the inevitable and
the OAs went open in 1975.

Some like our neighbours The Old Williamsonians, resisted to the bitter end
so that their rugby club sadly ceased to exist because of lack of players.
Because of the good relationship that existed between the two clubs, some OW
players joined the Anchorians. The Old Williamsonians has now reformed
although it has never regained the status it had in the 50s and 60s when it
was one of the strongest Old Boys' clubs in Kent.

To identify with the then Borough the club became Gillingham Anchorians in
1975. This also identified it as a club, open to anyone.  With the generous
help of the then Gillingham Council the club now enjoys some of the best
facilities in Kent, sharing a fine clubhouse with other Anchorian clubs and
having four pitches in Darland Avenue, Gillingham.

It would be invidious to list just a few of the names of those who have
worked hard for the club in the last 75 years - a full list would fill many
pages. Suffice to confine it to one name that epitomises the spirit of the
Anchorians - P.J. Beacon, who captained the club for 5 consecutive seasons
from 1933 to 1937, still a club record. He made the ultimate sacrifice
giving his life for his country in the second world war.

Anyone interested can telephone the ClubHouse for details on 01634 851495.


Terry Higgins
August 2005

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