LOUGHTON RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB – THE FORMATION
Loughton RFC was established in 1955 but its roots are at the Brook School, Roding Road, Loughton. Rugby arrived at the school when Gordon Stephens (Steve) was appointed as its PE Teacher in 1952. Essex is a soccer stronghold and it was extremely rare to find rugby played in secondary schools. Indeed, when Steve started a school team it was only the second secondary modern school playing rugby in the county, Barking Park (also under the influence of a Welsh teacher) being the first. Within two years Steve had trained a number of his pupils to such a high standard that they were selected for the Essex under 15 age group. Very soon afterwards regional levels were reached and eventually a number of boys were chosen to play for England. Later, some Loughton players represented England on behalf of the National Association of Boys Clubs. The photographs are a selection of many taken during our early years and it is pleasing to note that all those pictured played for Loughton RFC when they left school. This was a tremendous asset for the Club which sadly stopped when Steve eventually left The Brook and rugby was no longer taught. The first Loughton team was established in 1955 thanks to Steve and those pupils who had left The Brook School in 1954 and 1955. Some teachers, such as Viv Gwynne and Steve also played in the first season, plus a number of other of young people who were attracted to the game. Steve was the Club’s coach; the first President was Fred Davies, the school’s headmaster. The Club was known originally as Loughton Old Boys RFC and later became Loughton RFC.
Hugh Southgate was Captain of Loughton from 1955 - 1957 and 1959 - 1960. This photograph was taken in 1954 when he played for Essex Schools (under 15), North of the Thames, London and Home Counties.
D. Farrow & D. Peaston
England Schools v Wales Twickenham 1961
England Schools v Wales Cardiff and Twickenham 1960
J. Howard: Essex, Eastern Counties 1954 Captain Loughton 1958 - 59
BACK ROW: P. Farmer Essex, Eastern Counties 1957 - 58 D. Bray Essex, Eastern Counties, London, SE England 1957 - 58 R. Barker Essex, Eastern Counties 1957 - 58
FRONT ROW: D. Lodge Essex, Eastern Counties, North Thames, London, SE England, Final England Trial 1956, England Boys Clubs 1958, 1959, 1960 (Captain). R. Caunt Essex, Eastern Counties, England Schools 1957 – 58, England Boys Clubs 1958. B. West Essex, Eastern Counties, London, SE England, Final England Trial 1956, England Boys Clubs 1959, 1960. Captain Loughton 1962 and 1967.
R. Caunt – Essex, Eastern Counties, England Schools 1957-58, England Boys Clubs 1958Founder members 30 years later at a President's Match.
BACK ROW: W. Thake, G. Stephens, D. Hemlock, M. Wardle, C. Salter,
FRONT ROW: D. Sewell, P. Reed, M. Wallace.
Bill West and David Lodge: Both Bill and David represented Essex, Eastern Counties, London, SE England and had a Final England trial for the under 15s. Both received an England cap in 1960 for the National Association of Boys Clubs. Bill was Loughton's Captain in 1962 and 1967.
David was Captain from 1958 - 1960.
Loughton's First Ever Second XV 1960 - 1961
Rear Row: G. Stephens (Coach), C. Fielder, J. Clarke, P. Badcock, N. Clarke, R. Gammons
Middle Row. D. McDonald, J, Reynolds, W. Patience, P. Valence, D. Bywater, M. Dunning, P. Vingoe
Front Row. J. Robson, I. Coombes (captain), D. Sewell.
LOUGHTON OLD BOYS RFC 1ST xv 1955 - 1956
BACK ROW: G. Stephens (Founder and coach), B. Gilbey, C. Salter, G. Brazier, D. Hemlock, J. Gibbs, F. Jones
MIDDLE ROW: M. Wallace, R. Curtis, H. Southgate (Captain), D. Sewell, D. Jeans
FRONT ROW R. Cole, V. Gwynne, (Unknown) J. Howard.
Loughton R.F.C. players for Essex County 1993 - 94
Paul Buckley, Tony Green, Craig Clarke, Colin Murphy (Terry Burrell was also selected but was injured)