Falmouth RFC
TeamnameFalmouth
UnionCornwall RFU
FullnameFalmouth Rugby Football Club
Founded1873 (age 153)
LocationFalmouth, Cornwall, England
GroundThe Recreation Ground
Capacity3,000
ChairmanJohn Bullock
CaptainTom Spiller
LeagueCounties 2 Cornwall
Season2024–25
Position3rd
Pattern la 1_white_hoop
Pattern b 1_whitehorizontal
Pattern ra 1_white_hoop
Pattern so 1_2 white stripes
Leftarm 1000000
Body 1000000
Rightarm 1000000
Shorts 1000000
Socks 1000000
Body 270BDF1
Leftarm 270BDF1
Rightarm 270BDF1
Shorts 2000000
Socks 2000000
Pattern la 2_hoop
Pattern b 2_blackhorizontal
Pattern ra 2_hoop
Pattern so 2_2 white stripes

Falmouth Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in the town of Falmouth, Cornwall, in the United Kingdom, playing in Counties 2 Cornwall at the eighth tier of the English league system, following relegation from Counties 1 Western West at the end of the 2023–24 season. The club play at the Recreation Ground. They enjoy a rivalry with close neighbours, Penryn.

History

Founded in 1873, Falmouth have produced two players who have been capped by the England national team: John Jackett and Jim George. Jackett played thirteen times for England making his debut on 2 December 1905 against New Zealand at Crystal Palace. He also toured with the British Lions to New Zealand and Australia in 1908.[1] Jim George made his debut against Scotland on 15 March 1947 and played a further two matches against France and Ireland.[1] On 24 November 1926, Cornwall played what was considered the best New Zealand Māori rugby union team at Falmouth, with Cornwall winning 6–3.[2]

During the 1970s the club had a relatively successful spell when they were considered one of the best sides in Cornwall, winning the Cornwall Cup twice as well as finishing top of the Cornwall Merit Table in 1977. When league rugby was introduced in 1987, Falmouth were placed in the Cornwall/Devon League, at tier 8 of the English rugby union system. Following the club's relegation at the end of the 1989–90 season they spent much of the next decade playing in Cornwall League 1. A second promotion from Cornwall League 1 early on in the 21st century, saw Falmouth consolidate its position in the Cornwall/Devon League, with fourteen uninterrupted seasons in tier 8. At the end of the 2017–18 season Falmouth won the Cornwall/Devon league title and with it promotion to Western Counties West, the highest level the club had reached so far.

Season summary

SeasonLeagueNational Cup(s)County Cup(s)
Competition/LevelPositionPointsCompetitionPerformanceCompetitionPerformance
1987–88Cornwall/Devon (8)5th12
1988–89Cornwall/Devon (8)3rd12
1989–90Cornwall/Devon (8)(relegated)
1990–91Cornwall 1 (9)2nd
1991–92Cornwall 1 (9)Cornwall Junior Knockout PlateWinners
1992–93Cornwall 1 (9)2nd
1993–94Cornwall 1 (9)2nd
1994–95Cornwall 1 (9)
1995–96Cornwall 1 (9)2nd16
1996–97Cornwall 1 (9)1st (promoted)[3]34
1997–98Cornwall/Devon (8)5th[4]20
1998–99Cornwall/Devon (8)10th (relegated)[5]-6
1999–00Cornwall 1 (9)7th[6]10
2000–01Cornwall 1 (9)4th[7]16Cornwall Clubs Cup[8]
2001–02Cornwall 1 (9)7th[9]12Cornwall Clubs CupSemi-finals[10]
2002–03Cornwall 1 (9)1st (promoted)[11]29Powergen Junior Vase5th Round[12][13]Cornwall Clubs CupWinners
2003–04Cornwall/Devon (8)8th[14]16Powergen Junior Vase[15]1st Round[16]
2004–05Cornwall/Devon (8)9th[17]16Powergen Junior Vase3rd Round[18][19]Cornwall Cup1st Round[20]
2005–06Cornwall/Devon (8)3rd[21]31Powergen Junior Vase[22]5th Round[23][24]
2006–07Cornwall/Devon (8)6th[25]21EDF Energy Senior Vase[26]1st Round[27]Cornwall Cup[28]
2007–08Cornwall/Devon (8)7th[29]21EDF Energy Senior Vase2nd Round[30][31]Cornwall Cup[32]
2008–09Cornwall/Devon (8)14th[33][a 1]2EDF Energy Senior Vase1st Round[34]
2009–10Cornwall/Devon (8)8th[35]30Cornwall CupQuarter-finals[36]
2010–11Cornwall/Devon (8)6th70[a 2]Cornwall CupQuarter-finals[37][38]
2011–12Cornwall/Devon (8)7th67
2012–13Cornwall/Devon (8)8th[39]51Cornwall Cup1st Round[40]
2013–14Cornwall/Devon (8)6th61
2014–15Cornwall/Devon (8)6th[41]71Cornwall Cup1st Round[42][43]
2015–16Cornwall/Devon (8)6th[44]75Cornwall Cup1st Round[45]
2016–17Cornwall/Devon (8)1st (promoted)[46]112Cornwall CupSemi-finals[47]
2017–18Western Counties West (7)12th[48]49Cornwall CupQuarter-finals[49]
2018–19Western Counties West (7)7th[50]57Cornwall Cup1st Round[51]
2019–20Western Counties West (7)10th43.73[a 3]Cornwall Cup
2020–21Western 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.
First team
SeasonPWDLFARef
1899–190028186416985[52]
Falmouth Albion Reserves
SeasonPWDLFARef
1899–190019122515875
Falmouth One and All
SeasonPWDLFARef
1899–190020190134024

Honours

Notes

  1. ^ There was no relegation from Cornwall/Devon at the end of 2008–09 season, which meant Falmouth were saved from relegation despite finishing bottom of the table.
  2. ^ The 2010–11 season would see the introduction of bonus points into lower league English rugby union (tier 6 and below).
  3. ^ The season was postponed and ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom with Falmouth sitting in 8th, having played 22 games and gained 37 points. The remaining games were calculated on a 'best playing record formula', with Falmouth remaining in 10th place with 43.73 points.[53]

See also

References

  1. ^ Cornwall Rugby Football Union Official Handbook and Byelaws 1996–97. Cornwall RFU. 1996.
  2. ^ Salmon, Tom (1983). The First Hundred Years. Illogan: Cornwall RFU. p. 150. ISBN 0 946664 01 3.
  3. ^ "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 1996-97". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Final League Tables 1997–98". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  5. ^ "Final League Tables 1998–99". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  6. ^ "Final League Tables 1999–2000". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  7. ^ "Final League Tables 2000–2001". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  8. ^ "Camels end Falmouth's cup hopes". South West Farmer. 28 February 2001.
  9. ^ "Final League Tables 2001–2002". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  10. ^ "Falmouth let it slip". South West Farmer. 15 February 2002.
  11. ^ "Final League Tables 2002–2003". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  12. ^ "Underdogs put up excellent display". South West Farmer. 5 December 2002.
  13. ^ "Sport in Brief". The Telegraph. 24 December 2002.
  14. ^ "Final League Tables 2003–2004". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  15. ^ "Powergen Draws". ESPN. 12 July 2003.
  16. ^ "Falmouth enjoy perfect away day". South West Farmer. 21 November 2003.
  17. ^ "Final League Tables 2004–2005". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  18. ^ "Vase glory disappears". South West Farmer. 11 November 2004.
  19. ^ "Gordano tester awaits Swindon". The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald. 21 October 2004.
  20. ^ "Borough home to Falmouth in cup clash". South West Farmer. 25 November 2004.
  21. ^ "Final League Tables 2005–2006". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  22. ^ "Powergen Cup Draws". The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald. 17 August 2005.
  23. ^ "Three Games From Twickenham". Royal Navy Rugby Union. 23 December 2005.
  24. ^ "Falmouth go down in the rain". South West Farmer. 7 December 2005.
  25. ^ "Final League Tables 2006–2007". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  26. ^ "Swindon face trip to Devon". The Swindon Advertiser. 21 September 2006.
  27. ^ "THE SENIOR LEAGUES 2006-2007". Trelawny's Army. 7 October 2006.
  28. ^ "Open rugby pays dividends". South West Farmer. 20 December 2006.
  29. ^ "Final League Tables 2007–2008". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  30. ^ "Falmouth’s poor display is ‘bitter pill to swallow’". South West Farmer. 10 October 2007.
  31. ^ "EDF Senior Vase". Old Brodleians RUFC. 12 January 2008. Archived from the original on 28 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  32. ^ "Falmouth celebrate rare win". South West Farmer. 1 January 2008.
  33. ^ "Final League Tables 2008–2009". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  34. ^ "Falmouth swept aside". South West Farmer. 10 September 2008.
  35. ^ "Final League Tables 2009–2010". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  36. ^ "St Ives book their place in semi-finals at Falmouth's expense". South West Farmer. 3 March 2010.
  37. ^ "Falmouth and Penryn to meet in RFU Cornwall Cup". South West Farmer. 12 January 2011.
  38. ^ "Cornwall Cup semi final game OFF". Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  39. ^ "Final League Tables 2012–13". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  40. ^ "Falmouth v St Austell". St Austell RFC (Pitchero). 16 August 2012.
  41. ^ "Tribute Cornwall/Devon 2014–2015". England Rugby. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  42. ^ "RUGBY: Falmouth to meet Truro in Tribute Cup". South West Farmer. 18 July 2014.
  43. ^ "RUGBY: Camborne make third Cornwall Cup Final in a row". South West Farmer. 17 March 2015.
  44. ^ "Tribute Cornwall/Devon 2015–2016". England Rugby. Archived from the original on 14 August 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  45. ^ "Update on the draw for the Tribute Cornwall Cup". St Austell RFC (Pitchero). 9 October 2015.
  46. ^ "Tribute Cornwall/Devon 2016–2017". England Rugby. Archived from the original on 23 January 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  47. ^ "Saints through to the County Final!". St Austell RFC (Pitchero). 18 March 2017.
  48. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West 2017–2018". England Rugby. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  49. ^ "Falmouth 16 v Wadebridge Camels 26". Wadebridge Camels RFC (Pitchero). 30 December 2017.
  50. ^ "Tribute Western Counties West 2018–2019". England Rugby. Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  51. ^ "Cornwall RFU Tribute Cup: Saltash 32-31 Falmouth". Falmouth Packet. 15 October 2018.
  52. ^ "Falmouth And Penryn Clubs". Lake's Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser. No. 2336. 28 April 1900. p. 5.
  53. ^ "RFU confirms league positions". England Rugby. Archived from the original on 24 April 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.